Lens-Aligned Aperture Assembly for Shorter Optical Track Length
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wafer-level stacking methods using glass substrates to align optical apertures with lenses result in a relatively large total track length (TTL), which is undesirable for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of a spacer with reduced thickness between the lens and optical aperture, combined with an opaque material to minimize glass or high-refractive-index material in the optical path, and the incorporation of meta-optical elements to enhance optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a glass substrate is used to align the optical aperture with the lens, then the alignment precision is improved, but the total track length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The glass substrate is segmented by creating a through-opening that removes the central portion of the substrate along the optical path. This segmentation allows the aperture and lens to be positioned closer together while maintaining the alignment function of the substrate, thereby reducing the total track length while preserving alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The central portion of the glass substrate is extracted by creating a through-opening, removing the material that would otherwise increase the track length. This extraction maintains the structural integrity and alignment function of the substrate at its periphery while eliminating the optical path obstruction in the center, thus reducing TTL without sacrificing alignment precision.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a thicker spacer is used to support the lens and aperture, then the structural stability is improved, but the total track length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is segmented by creating a through-opening that removes the central material while preserving the peripheral structure. The peripheral portion of the spacer maintains structural stability and support functions, while the removed central portion reduces the overall track length, achieving both stability and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural support function is shifted from the central region to the peripheral region of the spacer. By moving the support function to the edges and creating a hollow or open-center structure, the design achieves structural stability through the peripheral framework while minimizing the z-height and track length in the optical path direction.
3Ease of manufacture
If more glass material is used in the optical path, then the manufacturing robustness is improved, but the optical performance deteriorates due to increased stray light
Solution Approach 1:
Glass material is extracted by creating a through-opening in the spacer, removing the source of stray light reflections and refractions. This extraction maintains manufacturing robustness by preserving the glass substrate's peripheral structure for alignment and support functions, while eliminating the harmful optical effects caused by excessive glass in the light path.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass substrate exhibits local quality variation with the peripheral region maintaining full thickness for structural and alignment purposes, while the central region has reduced thickness or is completely removed to eliminate stray light. This local differentiation allows the same component to provide both manufacturing robustness and optimal optical performance in different regions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes optical devices that include an aperture aligned with a lens. Optoelectronic assemblies and methods of fabricating the optical devices are described as well.