Laser Diode Array Alignment via Rotatable Dispersion Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser devices with multiple laser diodes face difficulties in adjusting the traveling direction of laser beams due to the dense arrangement of diodes, making it time-consuming and effort-intensive to accurately align the optical axes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a mirror and a wavelength dispersion element to resonate and align laser beams, along with rotatable adjustment components integrated with each laser diode, allowing for easy adjustment of the laser beam direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple laser diodes are densely arranged to increase output, then the laser device can produce higher output power, but it becomes difficult and time-consuming to adjust the traveling direction of each laser beam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the adjustment function into two independent parts: (1) adjustment of the incident angle of laser beams at the wavelength dispersion element, and (2) adjustment of the optical axis alignment. This segmentation allows each adjustment to be performed independently, simplifying the overall adjustment process despite having multiple densely arranged laser diodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wavelength dispersion element as an intermediary component that receives laser beams from multiple laser diodes at different incident angles. This element mediates the coupling process by aligning the optical axes of the laser beams before they are combined, thereby simplifying the adjustment requirements for the laser diodes themselves.
2Manufacturing precision
If the position or orientation of each laser diode is manually adjusted to align optical axes, then accurate beam alignment can be achieved, but it requires significant time and effort due to the dense arrangement of diodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary alignment by designing the wavelength dispersion element with predetermined incident angle ranges for each laser diode. This preliminary configuration allows the system to achieve accurate optical axis alignment without requiring extensive manual adjustment of each laser diode's position or orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the incident angle of laser beams adjustable through a rotatable structure that allows the wavelength dispersion element to be rotated. This dynamic adjustment capability enables precise optical axis alignment to be achieved efficiently, adapting to different laser diode configurations without fixed positional constraints.
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
Facilitates easy and accurate adjustment of the laser beam direction from multiple diodes, reducing the complexity and time required for alignment, improving beam quality and reducing the size and cost of the device.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength dispersion element to cause a plurality of laser beams incident from a plurality of laser diodes in different orientations of optical axes of the laser beams to travel to the mirror with the optical axes aligned
Implementation Method 2
a mirror to resonate the plurality of laser beams emitted by the plurality of laser diodes
Data Source
AI summary
A laser device includes: a plurality of laser diodes that emit laser beams having different wavelengths; a partial reflection mirror that resonates the plurality of laser beams emitted by the plurality of laser diodes; and a wavelength dispersion element that causes the plurality of laser beams incident from the plurality of laser diodes in different orientations of optical axes of the laser beams to travel to the mirror with the optical axes aligned. Each of the plurality of laser diodes is integrally formed with an adjustment component that is rotatable around an emission end of the laser diode.