Laser Wavefront Control via Intermediary Imaging System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser light shaping and wavefront controlling systems fail to simultaneously achieve a spatially uniform intensity distribution and effective wavefront control, as placing a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) between a homogenizer and image-forming optical system disrupts intensity distribution, and vice versa, leading to inadequate aberration correction.
Innovation Solution
A laser light shaping and wavefront controlling optical system comprising an intensity conversion lens, an optical modulation device, a condenser optical system, and an image-forming optical system with specific imaging planes to transfer both desired intensity distribution and wavefront control, utilizing the intensity conversion lens to shape and modulate the laser light, and optionally a phase correction lens for precise aberration correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an SLM is placed between the homogenizer and the image-forming optical system, then wavefront control can be performed, but the output image of the SLM cannot be formed in the condenser optical system, resulting in insufficient wavefront control
Solution Approach 1:
An image-forming optical system is introduced as an intermediary between the SLM and the condenser optical system. This intermediary system ensures that the output image of the SLM is properly formed and transferred to the condenser optical system, enabling effective wavefront control while maintaining the intensity distribution shaped by the homogenizer.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a new optical dimension by introducing the image-forming optical system with specific imaging planes. The entrance-side imaging plane is positioned between the homogenizer output and the SLM modulation plane, while the exit-side imaging plane is positioned in the condenser optical system, creating a multi-plane optical architecture that resolves the contradiction.
2Illumination intensity
If a homogenizer is placed in front of the SLM, then intensity distribution can be shaped, but the output image of the homogenizer cannot be formed in the condenser optical system, distorting the intensity distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The image-forming optical system acts as an intermediary that preserves the intensity distribution shaped by the homogenizer. By properly positioning the entrance-side imaging plane to receive the homogenizer output and the exit-side imaging plane to deliver to the condenser system, it maintains intensity distribution accuracy while enabling SLM wavefront control.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional zones with specific imaging planes: the homogenizer zone for intensity shaping, the SLM zone for wavefront modulation, and the condenser zone for focusing. The image-forming optical system connects these zones, ensuring each component operates optimally without interfering with others.
3Adaptability or versatility
If both intensity shaping and wavefront control are attempted simultaneously in existing systems, then one function can be achieved, but the other function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system achieves multi-functionality by integrating the homogenizer for intensity shaping, the SLM for wavefront control, and the image-forming optical system that connects both functions. This universal system can simultaneously perform intensity distribution shaping and wavefront control, enabling both laser processing and aberration correction with a single integrated apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The image-forming optical system serves as a mediating component that enables both intensity shaping and wavefront control to work together. It transfers the shaped intensity distribution from the homogenizer while also conveying the wavefront-modulated light from the SLM to the condenser optical system, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously without compromise.
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 shaping of laser light intensity distribution and wavefront control, improving wavefront control resolution and maintaining intensity distribution accuracy, even when aberration correction is not necessary, thereby facilitating efficient laser processing.
Implementation Method 1
an intensity conversion lens for converting and shaping an intensity distribution of laser light incident thereon into a desirable intensity distribution
Implementation Method 2
an optical modulation device for modulating the laser light emitted from the intensity conversion lens so as to control a wavefront thereof
Implementation Method 3
a condenser optical system for converging the laser light issued from the optical modulation device
Data Source
AI summary
A laser light shaping and wavefront controlling optical system 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises an intensity conversion lens 24 for converting and shaping an intensity distribution of laser light incident thereon into a desirable intensity distribution; an optical modulation device 34 for modulating the laser light emitted from the intensity conversion lens 24 so as to control a wavefront thereof; a condenser optical system 36 for converging the laser light issued from the optical modulation device 34; and an image-forming optical system 30, arranged between the optical modulation device 34 and the condenser optical system 36, having an entrance-side imaging plane between a plane 24x where the laser light emitted from the intensity conversion lens 24 attains the desirable intensity distribution and a modulation plane 34a of the optical modulation device 34 and an exit-side imaging plane on a pupil plane 36a of the condenser optical system 36.