Laser Light Scanning Optics for Variable Focal Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser processing apparatuses face efficiency issues due to the dependence on numerical aperture of diffractive optical elements, which limits focal depth and requires precise control of the distance between the optical element and the processing target, leading to reduced work efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A laser light scanning apparatus that includes an optical system generating parallel light, an optical deflector for one-dimensional deflection, and a diffractive optical element that focuses diffracted light along a predetermined axis, allowing the focal position to change with the incidence position of the deflected light, thereby achieving a desired focal depth without relying on the numerical aperture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the numerical aperture of the diffractive optical element is reduced to increase the focal depth, then the focal depth is improved, but a desired diffraction image cannot be obtained due to interference of diffracted light
Solution Approach 1:
The diffractive optical element is divided into multiple diffraction regions (first diffraction region and second diffraction region) with different diffraction characteristics. This segmentation allows different regions to handle different aspects of light diffraction, enabling the system to achieve both deep focal depth and high-quality diffraction images by coordinating the effects of multiple regions rather than relying on a single numerical aperture setting.
2Manufacturing precision
If the numerical aperture is increased to prevent interference of diffracted light, then the diffraction image quality is improved, but the focal depth becomes short requiring precise distance control
Solution Approach 1:
The diffractive optical element is divided into multiple diffraction regions (first diffraction region and second diffraction region) with different diffraction characteristics. This segmentation allows different regions to handle different aspects of light diffraction, enabling the system to achieve both deep focal depth and high-quality diffraction images by coordinating the effects of multiple regions rather than relying on a single numerical aperture setting.
3Device complexity
If a diffractive optical element is used to reduce the number of components and device size, then the device complexity is reduced, but the focal depth becomes fixed and requires precise distance control
Solution Approach 1:
The diffractive optical element incorporates multiple diffraction regions with different diffraction characteristics, making the optical system dynamically adaptable. By switching between or combining different diffraction regions, the system can adjust its effective focal depth to match different working distances, transforming a previously static system into one with dynamic adaptability while maintaining component simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffractive optical element incorporates multiple diffraction regions with different diffraction characteristics, making the optical system dynamically adaptable. By switching between or combining different diffraction regions, the system can adjust its effective focal depth to match different working distances, transforming a previously static system into one with dynamic adaptability while maintaining component simplicity.
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 solution enables a laser light scanning apparatus to maintain a desired focal depth independently of the numerical aperture, improving work efficiency by eliminating the need for precise distance control between the diffractive optical element and the processing target.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system configured to generate parallel light from laser light emitted from a light source
Implementation Method 2
an optical deflector configured to perform one-dimensional deflection on the parallel light from the optical system
Implementation Method 3
a diffractive optical element configured to diffract deflected light from the optical deflector, wherein the diffractive optical element is configured such that diffracted light is focused along a predetermined axis
Data Source
AI summary
A laser light scanning apparatus includes: an optical system that generates parallel light from laser light emitted from a light source; an optical deflector that performs one-dimensional deflection on the parallel light from the optical system; and a diffractive optical element that diffracts deflected light from the optical deflector. The diffractive optical element is configured such that the diffracted light is focused along a predetermined axis that extends from the optical deflector toward the diffractive optical element, and the position at which the diffracted light is focused on the predetermined axis changes according to the incidence position of the deflected light.