Laminous Optical Window with Alternating Refraction Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical windows face challenges in minimizing optical aberrations, particularly at short optical wavelengths, due to the lack of physically strong and transparent negative refraction materials, and suffer from refractive wedging and boresight shifts as the angle of incidence increases, leading to non-collinearity of incident and transmitted electromagnetic rays.
Innovation Solution
A laminous optical window assembly with alternating thin layers of positive and negative refraction material layers is used to minimize refraction and maintain collinearity of electromagnetic rays, eliminating the need for additional optical corrector elements and adaptive optics, and is applicable to various optical devices and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a single thick negative index compensating layer is used, then optical aberration compensation is achieved, but the layer cannot be physically strong and transparent at short optical wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single thick negative index layer into multiple thin alternating layers of positive and negative index materials. This segmentation allows each thin layer to maintain physical strength and transparency while collectively providing the required optical compensation effect that would be impossible with a single thick layer at short wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of alternating layers of positive and negative index materials. This composite structure enables the window to achieve both optical aberration compensation and mechanical strength, as the thin layers can be made transparent and strong while their combined effect provides the necessary negative refraction for aberration correction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional single-layer negative index windows are used, then optical compensation is achieved, but refractive wedging and boresight shifts occur at increased angles of incidence
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the window into multiple thin alternating layers, the patent reduces the propagation distance through each individual layer. This minimizes refractive wedging and boresight shifts that occur in thick single layers at oblique angles, maintaining ray collinearity across a wider angular range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of layer thickness from thick to thin, and introduces alternating positive and negative index materials. This parameter change reduces the cumulative refraction effects that cause wedging and boresight shifts, while maintaining the overall optical compensation function.
3Speed
If conformal aerodynamic shapes are used, then aerodynamic drag and radar cross section are minimized, but severe optical distortions are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite alternating layers of positive and negative index materials to conformal aerodynamic surfaces. This allows the surface to maintain its aerodynamic shape for minimized drag and radar cross section, while the composite material structure compensates for the optical distortions that such shapes inherently introduce.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the alternating layer structure locally at the aerodynamic surface where optical transmission is required. This allows different parts of the system to have different properties: the conformal shape provides aerodynamic performance, while the localized alternating layers provide optical aberration compensation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If dynamic compensation optics and deformable mirrors are used, then optical aberrations are corrected, but system size, weight, and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces dynamic mechanical compensation systems (deformable mirrors, moving optics) with a static composite material structure. The alternating layers of positive and negative index materials provide passive optical aberration compensation without requiring any moving parts, control electronics, or active adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The alternating layer structure provides self-service optical compensation through its inherent material properties. The positive and negative index layers automatically compensate for each other's refraction effects, eliminating the need for external control systems or active adjustment mechanisms required by dynamic compensation optics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly reduces optical aberrations and refractive losses across ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths, enhancing optical performance and reducing size, weight, and complexity, while maintaining mechanical strength and aerodynamic advantages.
Implementation Method 1
a laminous optical window assembly with alternating thin layers of positive and negative refraction material layers is used to minimize refraction and maintain collinearity of electromagnetic rays
Implementation Method 2
The alternating layers may be configured to minimize refraction of electromagnetic rays propagating therethrough such that a given incident electromagnetic ray is substantially collinear with a corresponding transmitted electromagnetic ray
Data Source
AI summary
An optical window may be configured to minimize optical aberrations. The optical window may include a laminous optical window assembly. The laminous optical window assembly may have four or more alternating layers of positive refraction material layers and negative refraction material layers. The four or more alternating layers may be configured to minimize refraction of electromagnetic rays propagating therethrough such that a given incident electromagnetic ray is substantially collinear with a corresponding transmitted electromagnetic ray.