Laser Beam Steering via Cladding Phase Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser beam steering technologies face challenges in efficiently steering laser beams to desired positions with wide field of view (FOV) and varying wavelengths, often requiring mechanical rotation or heat-based refractive index changes, which increase volume, cost, and limit wavelength flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A laser beam steering device utilizing a waveguide with a variable refractive index cladding layer, modulated by electrical signals, allowing phase modulation without altering the waveguide's refractive index, enabling efficient steering of laser beams with various wavelengths and reducing waveguide gap for a wide FOV.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical rotation or MEMS is used to steer laser beam, then beam steering function is achieved, but volume and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical rotation systems and MEMS with an optical phased array system that uses electrical control of refractive indices in waveguides to achieve beam steering. This eliminates moving parts and reduces device volume while maintaining beam steering functionality through phase modulation of multiple laser beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system using multiple waveguides and phase modulators between the laser source and target. Instead of mechanically moving a single beam, the system uses electrical control of refractive indices in waveguide cladding layers to redirect beams, achieving steering without mechanical components.
2Ease of operation
If waveguide refractive index is changed to modulate beam phase, then phase modulation is achieved, but beam loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the phase modulation function from the waveguide core and relocates it to the cladding layer. By changing the refractive index of the cladding layer rather than the waveguide core, the system achieves phase modulation while keeping the waveguide transmission path intact, thereby reducing beam loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality change by selectively modifying the refractive index of specific cladding regions around waveguides. This localized modification in the cladding layer affects only the phase of beams passing through specific waveguides, enabling independent phase control without affecting other beams or causing excessive loss.
3Ease of operation
If heat-based refractive index change is used, then phase modulation is achieved, but modulation speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for refractive index modulation from thermal (heat-based) to electrical. By applying electrical signals to change the refractive index of the cladding layer material, the system achieves much faster modulation speeds compared to thermal methods, while still achieving the required phase modulation for beam steering.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed waveguide gap is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but field of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the waveguide gap through electrical control of cladding layer refractive indices. By electrically varying the effective refractive index of adjacent cladding layers, the system can dynamically adjust the coupling between waveguides, enabling the waveguide gap to be optimized for different operating conditions and expanding the achievable field of view.
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
The solution achieves high-speed, low-loss laser beam steering with a wide FOV and flexibility in wavelength, using electrical signals to modulate the cladding layer, improving phase modulation efficiency and reducing the length of the phase modulation section.
Implementation Method 1
a cladding layer disposed on the waveguide and having a refractive index which changes according to an electrical signal applied to the cladding layer
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide configured to guide a laser beam which passes through the waveguide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A laser beam steering device and a system including the same are provided. The laser beam steering device includes a waveguide through which a laser beam passes, and a cladding layer disposed on the waveguide. The cladding layer has a refractive index which changes according to an electrical signal applied thereto and thus a phase of a laser beam passing through the waveguide may be changed.