Compact Laser Radar Corner Cube with Segmented Beam Splitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser radar systems require a focusing mechanism that is not heavily impacted by corner cube tilts, but existing corner cubes are heavy, expensive, and occupy significant volume, necessitating a more efficient focusing solution.
Innovation Solution
A relay optical element with a translatable optical element and a beam splitter, such as a polarizing beam splitter and quarter wave plate, is used to focus a measurement light flux within a focusing assembly, allowing for variable propagation distance and efficient focusing without the need for large corner cubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional corner cube is used for focusing measurement beams, then the focusing performance is stable against corner cube tilts, but the system becomes heavy, expensive, and occupies large volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traditional corner cube into separate functional components: a beam splitter and a smaller retroreflector. The beam splitter separates the measurement beam from the retroreflected beam, allowing the retroreflector to be much smaller while maintaining focusing stability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling compact design without sacrificing tilt insensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the measurement beam source and the retroreflector. It directs the measurement beam to the retroreflector and separates the retroreflected beam for detection, enabling the use of a small retroreflector while maintaining the optical path required for stable focusing against tilts.
2Reliability
If a traditional corner cube is used for focusing measurement beams, then the focusing performance is stable against corner cube tilts, but the system becomes expensive and occupies large volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the corner cube function into a beam splitter and a small retroreflector. The retroreflector volume is dramatically reduced since it only needs to retroreflect beams, not focus them. The beam splitter handles the focusing function, allowing the overall system volume to be reduced while maintaining tilt insensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical path arrangement by introducing a beam splitter that redirects beams in a different spatial dimension. This allows the retroreflector to be positioned compactly while maintaining the required optical path length for stable focusing, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions to reduce overall system volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the propagation distance of measurement light flux is made variable for focusing at various target distances, then the focusing capability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translatable retroreflector that can move along the optical axis to vary the propagation distance of the measurement light flux. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows focusing at various target distances while using simple translational motion rather than complex optical switching or multiple optical paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The translatable retroreflector serves dual functions: it retroreflects the measurement beam and simultaneously adjusts the optical path length for focusing at different distances. This self-service capability allows one component to perform multiple functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatile focusing capability.
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
This configuration enables precise focusing of measurement beams at various target distances while minimizing the size and weight of the focusing assembly, improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the laser radar system.
Implementation Method 1
a relay optical element configured to focus a measurement light flux along an axis
Implementation Method 2
the beam splitter is a polarizing beam splitter and a quarter wave plate situated so that an input measurement light flux in a first state of polarization is delivered by the focusing assembly in a second state of polarization that is orthogonal to the first state of polarization
Implementation Method 3
a quarter wave plate situated so that an input measurement light flux in a first state of polarization is delivered by the focusing assembly in a second state of polarization that is orthogonal to the first state of polarization
Implementation Method 4
the focusing assembly includes a corner cube
Data Source
AI summary
Focus assemblies for laser radar are situated to receive a measurement beam that is focused at or in the focus assemblies. In some examples, focus assemblies include a corner cube and a return reflector, and the measurement beam is focused on, at, or within the corner cube or return reflector. A polarizing beam splitter and a quarter wave plate can be situated so that an input measurement beam and an output measurement beam can be separated.