Semiconductor Laser Lens Alignment via Thermal Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor laser devices face issues with the optical axis deviation due to heat-generated expansion, causing misalignment of the light source and lens, which affects the light intensity distribution and efficiency of laser light coupling into optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor laser device with a driver that supports a changeable lens position and orientation, controlled by a detector and controller to maintain a predetermined light intensity distribution, ensuring proper alignment between the semiconductor laser element and the lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the semiconductor laser element emits light, then light is generated for use, but heat is generated causing thermal expansion that deviates the optical axis from the desired position
Solution Approach 1:
The lens position is adjusted in advance based on the emission power level before actual light emission occurs. The controller pre-positions the lens to compensate for the thermal expansion that will occur when the laser element operates at a specific power level, thereby preventing optical axis deviation rather than correcting it after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detection of the light intensity distribution and feedback control to adjust the lens position. The detector monitors the actual light output, and the controller modifies the lens position based on this feedback to maintain the optical axis alignment despite thermal expansion effects during operation.
2Device complexity
If the lens position is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the optical axis deviates due to thermal expansion affecting light coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The lens support structure is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The driver enables the lens to move in response to control signals, allowing the system to adapt the lens position based on the emission power level and thermal conditions, thereby maintaining high coupling efficiency without excessive structural complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the lens position is adjusted to compensate for thermal expansion, then optical axis alignment is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a more streamlined driver-based positioning system. The driver, controlled electronically based on emission power level and detector feedback, substitutes for elaborate mechanical adjustment apparatus while achieving the same optical axis alignment compensation function.
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 device effectively maintains the relative positional relationship between the semiconductor laser element and the lens, improving light coupling efficiency and maintaining optimal light intensity distribution.
Implementation Method 1
When a light source such as a semiconductor laser element emits light
Implementation Method 2
a lens that transmits the light emitted from the emitter
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor laser device includes: a semiconductor laser element including an emitter that emits emission light; a lens that transmits the emission light emitted from the emitter; a driver that supports the lens in a state in which a position and an orientation of the lens are changeable; a detector that detects an intensity distribution of the emission light emitted from the emitter and transmitted through the lens; and a controller that, based on a detection result of the detector, controls at least one of the position or the orientation of the lens by driving the driver to cause the intensity distribution of the emission light detected by the detector to be a predetermined light intensity distribution.