Laser Frequency Stabilizer Signal Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser frequency stabilizing devices experience unstable light output signals immediately after powering on, leading to delayed usage due to the inability to accurately determine when the signal has stabilized, which hinders convenience and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that automatically determine stabilization by analyzing the light output signal's standard deviation over time, using a control mechanism to adjust the resonator length and execute signal analysis and stabilization determination steps, ensuring the device is ready for use once stability is achieved, and tracking elapsed time for maintenance purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the laser frequency stabilizing device waits for a fixed amount of time after powering on before use, then the light output signal stabilizes, but usage is delayed and convenience is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal stabilityVSAvoidusage delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical waiting approach with an automated signal analysis system. The control mechanism continuously monitors the light output signal, calculates its standard deviation, and automatically determines when stabilization is achieved, eliminating the need for fixed-time waiting and manual judgment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs self-diagnosis by automatically analyzing its own light output signal stability. The control mechanism autonomously determines when the signal is stable enough for use, allowing the device to self-regulate its readiness status without external intervention or fixed waiting periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual judgment is used to determine signal stabilization, then the device can be used, but false malfunctions may occur and accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidstabilization detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual judgment with an automated electronic analysis system. The control mechanism objectively measures the standard deviation of the light output signal and compares it against predetermined thresholds, eliminating human error and false malfunction reports while maintaining operational simplicity through automatic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring the light output signal in real-time, calculating its standard deviation, and automatically adjusting or confirming operational status based on whether the deviation remains below the threshold. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate stabilization detection without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the device automatically determines stabilization using standard deviation analysis, then convenience is improved and false malfunctions are prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic stabilization determinationVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control mechanism performs multiple functions: it monitors the light output signal, calculates standard deviation, compares values against thresholds, determines stabilization status, and controls device operation. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving automatic stabilization determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the resonator length is adjusted based on saturated absorption lines, then the oscillation frequency is stabilized, but the light output signal may remain unstable immediately after powering on

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency stabilizationVSAvoidlight output signal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a pre-operational signal stability check. Before allowing the device to enter normal operation, the control mechanism verifies that the light output signal has stabilized by analyzing its standard deviation. This preliminary verification ensures both frequency stabilization and signal stability are achieved before usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 immediate determination of signal stability, preventing delayed usage and improving convenience by automatically advancing to operational processes, while also preventing false malfunctions and scheduling maintenance based on component degradation.

Implementation Method 1

The Nd:YVO4 crystal 121 produces a light having a wavelength of 1064 nm due to stimulated radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStimulated radiation: Laser

Implementation Method 2

The KTP crystal (nonlinear optical crystal) 122 converts a portion of the 1064 nm wavelength light into a light having a wavelength of 532 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNonlinear optical conversion: Second Harmonic Generation

Implementation Method 3

laser light is irradiated on an absorption cell to obtain a light output signal... based on a saturated absorption line contained in the light output signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 4

The actuator 126 may be a piezoelectric device that modifies a position of the reflector 124 (changes the resonator length) with an application of electric voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 5

The laser light L4 then undergoes photoelectric conversion by the light detector 27 to output a light output signal S1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2575219B1Method for determining stabilization of laser output signal and laser frequency stabilizing device
Publication Date: 2015.04.15 MITUTOYO CORP
  • EP2575219B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2575219B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2575219B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for determining stabilization of a light output signal employed by a laser frequency stabilizing device which irradiates laser light on an absorption cell to obtain the light output signal and, based on a saturated absorption line contained in the light output signal, changes a resonator length to stabilize an oscillation frequency of the laser light to a specific saturated absorption line. The laser frequency stabilizing device includes a conversion mechanism converting the laser light that passes through the absorption cell into the light output signal, an actuator changing the resonator length, and a control mechanism controlling operation of the actuator. The method for determining stabilization includes a signal analysis step analyzing the light output signal and a stabilization determination step determining whether the light output signal is stabilized based on an analysis result from the signal analysis step, executed by the control mechanism.