Scanning Laser Relay Optic Exit Pupil Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scanning laser devices with multiple scanning mirrors face exit pupil disparity, which affects optical performance and is problematic for applications requiring a well-defined entrance pupil.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a relay optic between the scanning surfaces to reimage the laser beam from one scanner onto the other, making their exit pupils coincident and reducing disparity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple scanning mirrors are used to scan laser light in multiple axes, then scanning capability in multiple directions is improved, but exit pupil disparity occurs between the scanners
Solution Approach 1:
A relay optic is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second scanners. This relay optic receives the laser beam from the first scanner and reimages it onto the second scanner, serving as a mediator that transfers the beam while maintaining proper optical alignment. The relay optic effectively bridges the two scanners, allowing them to work together in multiple axes while maintaining a common exit pupil location.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay optic creates a reimaged copy of the laser beam from the first scanner onto the second scanner. This optical copying process preserves the angular information and beam characteristics while transferring them to the second scanning mirror. By creating this optical copy through the relay optic, the system maintains consistent exit pupil characteristics across both scanners.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple scanning mirrors are used to provide scanning in different axes, then multi-axis scanning is achieved, but optical performance deteriorates due to exit pupil disparity
Solution Approach 1:
The relay optic acts as an intermediary that ensures proper optical coupling between scanners operating in different axes. By receiving the beam from the first scanner and delivering it to the second scanner with maintained angular relationships, the relay optic preserves optical performance while enabling multi-axis scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay optic handles the beam transfer in an intermediate optical dimension, separating the direct spatial relationship between scanners from the angular information transfer. This dimensional approach allows the system to achieve scanning in multiple spatial axes while maintaining consistent optical performance through proper angular reimaging.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a common exit pupil location is required for good optical performance, then applications like HUDs and HMDs can be implemented, but device complexity increases with the addition of relay optics
Solution Approach 1:
The relay optic serves multiple functions within the optical system: it transfers the laser beam between scanners, maintains the common exit pupil location, preserves angular information, and enables compatibility with various applications requiring well-defined pupils (such as HUDs and HMDs). This multi-functionality justifies the added component by providing several critical benefits simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay optic is positioned as an intermediary element that reconciles the need for multiple scanners with the requirement for a common exit pupil. By mediating the beam transfer between scanners, it enables application compatibility without requiring complete redesign of the entire optical system, thus managing complexity while achieving versatility.
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 improves the performance of scanning laser devices by reducing clipping and vignetting, enhancing optical performance, particularly in applications like HUDs and HMDs, and improving the functionality of various scanning laser devices.
Implementation Method 1
a relay optic configured to receive the laser beam from the first scanner and reimage the laser beam over the first angular range from the first scanning surface onto a second scanning surface of a second scanner
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments described herein provide scanning laser devices that include a relay optic between scanning surfaces. In general, the relay optic is configured to reimage the laser beam reflecting from a first scanner onto the second scanner. Specifically, the relay optic is configured to reimage a laser beam reflected from over an angular range from a first scanning surface of a first scanner onto the scanning surface of the second scanner. This can effectively make the exit pupil of the scanners substantially coincident, and thus can reduce the exit pupil disparity between the scanners that would otherwise exist.