Planar Laser Amplifier Input Optics for Easier Beam Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser amplifiers face difficulties in adjusting the installation position of the input optical system with respect to the planar optical waveguide due to the small focal length of the cylindrical lens, which necessitates tight spacing and complicates assembly.
Innovation Solution
The laser amplifier incorporates a collimating lens, an anamorphic prism, and a cylindrical lens to adjust the beam width, allowing for easier alignment by using an anamorphic prism to reduce the horizontal beam width and a cylindrical lens with a larger focal length, facilitating the installation of the input optical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the focal length of the cylindrical lens is reduced to decrease the beam width of input light, then the vertical beam width is reduced meeting miniaturization demands, but the installation interval becomes small making position adjustment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The beam width control function is segmented into two independent components: the anamorphic prism pair handles horizontal beam width reduction, while the cylindrical lens handles vertical beam width reduction. This segmentation allows each component to operate with optimized parameters independent of the other, resolving the contradiction between small vertical beam width and large installation interval.
Solution Approach 2:
The anamorphic prism pair acts as an intermediary component between the collimating lens and the cylindrical lens. It pre-reduces the horizontal beam width before the light reaches the cylindrical lens, allowing the cylindrical lens to focus on vertical beam width control without needing an extremely small focal length, thereby maintaining a larger installation interval for easier adjustment.
2Length of moving object
If the focal length of the cylindrical lens is reduced to achieve smaller vertical beam width, then miniaturization is achieved, but the installation interval between input optical system and planar optical waveguide becomes small
Solution Approach 1:
The beam shaping function is divided into horizontal control (anamorphic prism pair) and vertical control (cylindrical lens). This segmentation allows the cylindrical lens to have a larger focal length and thus larger installation interval, while the horizontal beam width is controlled by the prism pair, achieving miniaturization without compromising the installation interval.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem of beam width control in one dimension (vertical) is decoupled by introducing control in another dimension (horizontal) through the anamorphic prism pair. This dimensional separation allows independent optimization of vertical beam width and installation interval, resolving the contradiction between small vertical beam width and large installation interval.
3Device complexity
If a single cylindrical lens is used to reduce both horizontal and vertical beam width, then the structure is simple, but the focal length must be very small making assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The single cylindrical lens approach is segmented into an anamorphic prism pair for horizontal beam width control and a cylindrical lens for vertical beam width control. Although this increases the number of components, each component can use a larger focal length, making assembly easier while achieving the same overall beam width reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different optical components are assigned to different spatial dimensions: the anamorphic prism pair operates primarily in the horizontal plane to reduce horizontal beam width, while the cylindrical lens operates in the vertical plane to reduce vertical beam width. This local specialization allows each component to have optimized parameters for its specific function, improving assembly ease.
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 enables easier adjustment of the input optical system's position relative to the planar optical waveguide, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves coupling efficiency between the input and output systems.
Implementation Method 1
a collimating lens to convert output light from a signal light source into parallel light
Implementation Method 2
an anamorphic prism to convert output light from the collimating lens into parallel light having a reduced beam width in a first direction
Implementation Method 3
a cylindrical lens to collect output light from the anamorphic prism in a second direction
Implementation Method 4
With the input excitation light absorbed by the laser medium, a so-called 'population inversion state' is formed
Implementation Method 5
When the input signal light is propagated inside the core layer in this state, the input signal light is amplified
Data Source
AI summary
A laser amplifier includes a planar optical waveguide for laser amplification, and an input optical system for inputting signal light to a core layer of the planar optical waveguide. The input optical system includes: a collimating lens for converting output light from a signal light source into parallel light; an anamorphic prism for reducing the beam width in a first direction of output light from the collimating lens; and a cylindrical lens for collecting output light from the anamorphic prism in a second direction, and output light from the cylindrical lens is input to the core layer.