Laser Beam Shaping Lens Array with Constant Pitch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for shaping laser radiation require complex designs with decreasing lens center distances to achieve a top-hat angle distribution with trapezoidal flanks, making them cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a one-piece lens array with specific conditions relating the focal length, numerical aperture, and pitch of lenses, along with control means to ensure homogeneous intensity distributions, allowing for simpler design and economical production without trapezoidal flank drop-offs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the homogenizer means is designed with decreasing lens center distances from outside to inside to achieve a top-hat angle distribution with trapezoidal flanks, then the desired angular distribution is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the lens pitch parameter from a variable decreasing function (prior art) to a constant value in the superimposition means. This parameter change simplifies the design while the working distance parameter is adjusted to achieve the desired top-hat distribution with less stringent flank requirements. The condition 2*F*NA(50%)=M*P2 with constant P2 represents this parameter change approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the optical system into two distinct functional segments: a homogenizer means for initial beam homogenization and a superimposition means for final top-hat distribution formation. This segmentation allows each module to have a simpler, standardized lens arrangement (constant pitch) rather than requiring the entire system to have complex variable pitch, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving the desired angular distribution.
2Shape
If the lens array is designed as a single integrated component with varying lens dimensions, then homogenization is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into separate homogenizer means and superimposition means, each with standardized constant-pitch lens arrays. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing with uniform lens specifications within each module, avoiding the need for complex variable-dimension lenses in a single integrated component, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies homogeneity by using lenses with uniform dimensions and constant pitch within each means (homogenizer and superimposition). This homogeneous design simplifies manufacturing compared to variable-dimension lenses, while the combination of the two means achieves the desired overall intensity distribution homogeneity through their coordinated operation.
3Shape
If complex homogenizer means with varying lens pitch are used to achieve precise angular distribution, then the top-hat profile is obtained, but the adjustment time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into homogenizer means and superimposition means with standardized constant-pitch lens arrays, the patent reduces operational complexity. Each module can be pre-aligned and standardized, eliminating the need for complex adjustments of variable pitch configurations, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining the top-hat profile through the coordinated action of both means.
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
Enables the generation of linear intensity distributions with high homogeneity and symmetrical angular distributions, reducing manufacturing complexity and adjustment time, while maintaining high quality without the need for intricate lens arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
lenses (4, 5) arranged next to one another in the X-direction... Each of the lenses (5) can have the same focal length F... in a working plane (8), which is arranged at a distance D from the lenses (5) of the superimposition means (2), the partial beams (6) are superimposed to form a linear intensity distribution (9)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for producing laser radiation (3), comprising homogenizing means (1) which can separately homogenize a plurality of groups (7) of sub-beams (6) of laser radiation (3) in such a way that each group (7) of sub-beams (6) proceeding from the homogenizing means (1) can produce a linear intensity distribution (9, 19) in a work plane (8), said distribution having flanks (10) which drop steeply at the line ends. The device further comprises a superposition means (2) for superpositioning the groups (7) of sub-beams (6) in such a way that a linear intensity distribution (11, 20) having a length longer than the length of each of the linear intensity distributions (9, 19) of the groups (7) of sub-beams (6) can be produced in the work plane (8), wherein the superpositioning means (2) comprises a lens array comprising a plurality of lenses (5).