Lens Array Beam Waist Adjustment for Aberration Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical switches using lens arrays face challenges in maintaining focal position consistency as the number of ports increases, leading to enlarged beam diameters due to aberration, which requires larger MEMS mirrors, increasing operational voltage and switch size, and are costly due to the need for expensive lenses with low aberration.
Innovation Solution
An optical apparatus with a lens array where the beam waist positions of optical beams are independently adjusted according to the aberration of a common second lens, optimizing focal positions without the need for expensive lenses, by setting lens thickness or curvature radius based on the distance from the lens center and aberration, allowing for precise beam convergence on a single point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of ports in the lens array is increased to achieve large-scale optical switching, then the switching capacity is improved, but the variations in focal positions of optical beams become large due to aberration, causing beam diameter enlargement on the MEMS mirror
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by independently adjusting the beam waist positions of optical beams from different ports of the lens array according to their specific aberration characteristics. Each optical beam receives customized beam waist positioning based on its distance from the optical axis and corresponding aberration level, rather than applying a uniform approach to all beams. This localized optimization compensates for aberration-induced focal position variations across the large-scale lens array.
2Reliability
If the beam diameter on the MEMS mirror is enlarged to accommodate focal position variations, then all optical beams can be condensed, but the size of the mirror portion must be increased, leading to higher operating voltage and larger overall switch size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying the beam waist positions of different optical beams according to their aberration characteristics. By adjusting the beam waist position parameter for each beam based on its specific path through the lens array, the system compensates for aberration effects and maintains consistent focal positions on the MEMS mirror, thereby keeping the mirror size compact while ensuring complete beam condensation.
3Manufacturing precision
If expensive lenses with small aberration influence are used to reduce focal position variations, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the cost of the optical switch increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using conventional, cost-effective lenses rather than expensive low-aberration lenses, and compensating for their aberration effects through software-based beam waist position adjustment. Instead of investing in high-cost precision lenses, the system uses economical lenses combined with a control mechanism that independently positions beam waists for each optical path, achieving high focal precision at lower manufacturing cost.
4Reliability
If the size of the mirror portion is increased to absorb enlarged beam diameter, then all beams can be accommodated, but the voltage for operating the mirror is increased
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the beam waist position parameters for different optical beams according to their aberration characteristics, the patent ensures that all beams converge to consistent focal positions on a compact MEMS mirror. This parameter optimization prevents beam diameter enlargement, thereby maintaining low operating voltage requirements for the mirror while accommodating all optical beams effectively.
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 reduces focal position deviations caused by aberration, enabling cost-effective large-scale optical switches with smaller, lower-voltage MEMS mirrors and consistent beam convergence, thus achieving scalable and affordable optical path switching.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of first lenses 13 capable of condensing respectively optical beams emitted from the optical paths
Implementation Method 2
a condensing section that condenses the optical beams emitted from the respective first lenses 13 of the lens array approximately on one point using a common second lens 3
Data Source
AI summary
In an optical apparatus according to the present invention, the lens thicknesses and curvature radiuses of respective first lenses are optimized so that beam waist positions of optical beams emitted from the respective first lenses of a lens array are independently changed according to aberration of a second lens, and the focal position deviation due to the aberration of the second lens is cancelled by a difference between the beam waist positions, which is given on the lens array side. As a result, it is possible to suppress, at a low cost, variations in focal positions of the optical beams which are emitted from respective ports of the lens array to be condensed by the common lens.