Laser Alignment Fixture for Beam Splitter and Combiner Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional alignment techniques for medical laser systems are time-consuming, prone to inaccuracies due to multiple beam spots on mirrors, difficulty in ensuring perpendicular alignment, and contamination from thermal paper, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A laser system with a beam splitter, beam combiner, and alignment device featuring adjustable pinholes and slots to facilitate precise alignment, using a brighter alignment beam and eliminating the need for thermal paper, ensuring accurate and efficient alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional alignment techniques are used, then alignment can be completed, but the alignment process is time-consuming (1-2 days)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment beam spots from the mirror surface and projects them onto a screen, separating the observation function from the alignment target. This allows for faster visualization and adjustment without repeatedly checking the mirror surface, significantly reducing alignment time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a screen as an intermediary element between the alignment beam and the observer. This screen serves as a mediator that amplifies and clarifies the beam spot positions, making alignment faster and more accurate without requiring direct observation of small beam spots on the mirror.
2Measurement precision
If multiple beam spots are shown on the mirror during alignment, then alignment can proceed, but big and weak beam spots make it difficult to provide accurate alignment results
Solution Approach 1:
The screen acts as an intermediary that captures and redistributes the alignment beam energy, creating brighter, more distinct beam spot images. This intermediary surface amplifies the visual signal, making it easier to accurately locate and align the beam spots without requiring them to be inherently brighter on the mirror surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the alignment observation from a two-dimensional mirror surface to a dedicated screen surface, providing a better viewing dimension. This dimensional change allows for optimized screen positioning and viewing angles, enhancing the visibility and measurability of beam spot positions for improved alignment accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If thermal paper is used during alignment to correct accuracy, then alignment precision can be improved, but particles are generated which contaminate and damage the optics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment verification function from the thermal paper medium and implements it through optical projection onto a screen. This removes the source of particle contamination (thermal paper) while preserving and even enhancing the alignment precision through more reliable visual feedback of beam spot positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen serves as a clean intermediary that replaces the contaminating thermal paper for alignment verification. It provides the necessary precision feedback without generating particles, thereby eliminating the harmful contamination effect while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Significantly reduces alignment time, improves accuracy, and prevents optical contamination, allowing for more efficient and precise alignment of medical laser systems, ensuring the output beam is on the same optical axis as the output fiber.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter removably located at a first position on the second path
Implementation Method 2
a beam combiner removably located at a second position on the second path
Implementation Method 3
an alignment device having first and second alignment features, wherein the first and second alignment features are configured to occupy the first position and the second position, respectively, on the second path, when the beam splitter and the beam combiner are removed
Data Source
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AI summary
A laser system includes a first cavity to output a laser light along a first path, a first mirror to receive the laser light from the first cavity, and redirect the laser light along a second path that is different than the first path, a beam splitter removably located at a first position on the second path, a beam combiner removably located at a second position on the second path, and an alignment device having first and second alignment features. The first and second alignment features occupy the first position and the second position, respectively, on the second path, when the beam splitter and the beam combiner are removed from the first position and the second position.