Laser Beam Diameter Switching With SLM Wavefront Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laser light irradiation devices face challenges in simplifying the optical system to vary the beam diameter effectively, requiring complex mechanisms to interlock multiple optical components and correct wavefront aberrations caused by changes in beam diameter.
Innovation Solution
A laser light irradiation device with a spatial light modulator displaying phase patterns to correct wavefront aberrations, combined with a lens insertion and removal mechanism that allows for varying the beam diameter without needing complex interlocking mechanisms, enabling easy adjustment of the beam diameter by inserting or removing lenses and using the spatial light modulator to correct aberrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a beam diameter conversion mechanism is used to enlarge or reduce the beam diameter of laser light, then the beam diameter can be varied according to specifications and irradiation conditions, but the optical system becomes complex and requires interlocking mechanisms for multiple optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam diameter conversion function from a complex multi-component system and implements it using a single lens that can be inserted into or removed from the optical path. This simplifies the optical system while maintaining the capability to vary beam diameter according to different specifications and irradiation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic lens insertion/removal mechanism that allows the optical system to adapt its configuration based on requirements. The lens can be positioned in the optical path when beam diameter variation is needed, and removed when not needed, providing flexibility without permanent complexity.
2Ease of operation
If lenses are inserted or removed to vary beam diameter, then simple beam diameter adjustment is achieved, but wavefront aberration is introduced that requires correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wavefront correction element as an intermediary component that compensates for the aberrations caused by the lens insertion/removal mechanism. This mediator restores the wavefront quality while allowing the simple lens-based beam diameter adjustment to function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters (wavefront characteristics) of the system dynamically. When the lens is inserted, the wavefront correction element adjusts its parameters to compensate for the introduced aberrations, maintaining beam quality across different beam diameter configurations.
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 simplifies the optical system, allows for flexible variation of the beam diameter, and effectively corrects wavefront aberrations, reducing the need for complex mechanisms and enhancing the device's ability to handle beam diameter changes.
Implementation Method 1
a spatial light modulator including a display unit configured to display a phase pattern, the spatial light modulator modulating the laser light generated by the laser light source in accordance with the phase pattern displayed on the display unit
Implementation Method 2
a lens insertion and removal mechanism including a lens configured to vary the beam diameter of the laser light
Data Source
AI summary
A laser light irradiation device includes: a laser light source; a spatial light modulator including a display unit, the spatial light modulator modulating the laser light in accordance with a phase pattern displayed on the display unit; a beam diameter conversion mechanism arranged on an optical path of the laser light between the laser light source and the spatial light modulator, the beam diameter conversion mechanism enlarging or reducing the beam diameter of the laser light; a lens insertion and removal mechanism including a lens configured to vary the beam diameter of the laser light, the lens insertion and removal mechanism being enabled to insert/remove the lens in/from the optical path; and a controller configured to control the phase pattern to be displayed. The controller displays the phase pattern configured to correct a wavefront aberration caused by insertion or removal of the lens.