Semiconductor Laser Optics for Apparent Source Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing power densities of vertically emitting semiconductor lasers pose challenges in adhering to laser safety regulations, particularly in the visible and near-infrared spectrum, where the size of the apparent source is critical, and existing solutions struggle to expand the emission area without increasing the laser array size.
Innovation Solution
A laser device incorporating a semiconductor laser array with an optics device comprising multiple optics elements that expand, collimate, and shape the laser light, effectively increasing the apparent source size to comply with laser safety regulations by using a combination of refractive and diffractive elements to create a homogeneous light intensity and a larger illuminated area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the emission area of the semiconductor laser chip is increased to improve laser safety, then the apparent source size increases and allowed laser power increases, but the laser array size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from increasing the physical emission area in the spatial domain to increasing the apparent source size through optical manipulation in the angular/domain transformed space. The optics device creates a virtual extended source by manipulating light propagation angles, achieving larger apparent source size without proportionally increasing the physical laser array dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The optics device serves as an intermediary between the semiconductor laser array and the target area. It decouples the relationship between physical source size and apparent source size by introducing optical elements that manipulate light propagation, allowing the apparent source size to be independently controlled from the actual laser array dimensions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the illuminated area on the beam-shaping element is increased to improve laser safety, then the apparent source size increases, but the optics device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical transformation to shift the problem from spatial domain (physical area) to angular domain (apparent source size). By manipulating the angular distribution of light through the optics device, the apparent source size is increased without proportionally increasing the physical footprint of the optics device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the critical parameter from physical emission area to apparent source size (angular parameter). This parameter transformation allows laser safety compliance to be achieved by modifying light propagation characteristics rather than physically enlarging the emission area, thereby reducing the required optics device size.
3Device complexity
If higher power densities are used to maintain compact laser array size, then the laser device remains compact, but laser safety compliance becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The optics device acts as a mediator that decouples the relationship between power density and apparent source size. It allows the laser array to maintain high power density for compactness while the optics device transforms the light to achieve a larger apparent source size, thereby maintaining both compactness and laser safety compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by operating in different domains: the laser array operates in the power density domain (maintaining compactness), while the optics device transforms the light in the angular domain to achieve larger apparent source size, thereby satisfying laser safety requirements without increasing physical dimensions.
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 ensures safe compliance with laser safety regulations by enlarging the apparent source size independently of the laser array size, decoupling it from temperature-related power limitations, and allowing for efficient illumination of camera fields of view with homogeneous light intensity.
Implementation Method 1
the optics device is configured for expanding the laser light emitted from the semiconductor lasers
Implementation Method 2
using a combination of refractive and diffractive elements to create a homogeneous light intensity
Implementation Method 3
collimating the expanded laser light
Implementation Method 4
using a combination of refractive and diffractive elements
Implementation Method 5
shaping a beam profile of the collimated laser light
Implementation Method 6
using a combination of refractive and diffractive elements to create a homogeneous light intensity
Data Source
AI summary
A laser device includes a semiconductor laser component. The semiconductor laser component includes a laser array. The laser array includes a plurality of semiconductor lasers emitting a laser light vertically. The laser device further includes an optics device. The optics device includes at least a second optics element, and a first optics element arranged between the second optics element and the laser array along an optical axis. The optics device is configured for expanding the laser light emitted from the semiconductor lasers, collimating the expanded laser light, and for shaping a beam profile of the collimated laser light.