Light Shaping Device Using Discrete Spectral Masking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current light shaping technologies face limitations in further narrowing the temporal width of optical pulses while minimizing intensity loss, which is essential for improved performance in applications like laser processing and terahertz wave generation, and existing methods are costly.

Innovation Solution

A light shaping device and method that modulates the spectrum intensity of optical pulses using a mask defined by a starting end wavelength and wavelength width, allowing for temporal width narrowing beyond theoretical limits with reduced intensity loss, and employs a calculation unit to optimize mask settings for improved performance and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If conventional light shaping technology using spatial light modulator with optimized modulation pattern is used, then temporal width narrowing of approximately 15% is achieved, but intensity loss of approximately 60% occurs and device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporal widthVSAvoidintensity loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the approach from optimizing continuous modulation patterns to using discrete spectral masks with specific parameters (center wavelength λc and width W). By adjusting these mask parameters, the system achieves temporal width narrowing while controlling intensity loss, resolving the contradiction between pulse duration reduction and energy preservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the spectrum into discrete wavelength components and applies masking to specific spectral regions. This segmentation approach allows selective manipulation of spectral components to achieve temporal compression without the excessive intensity loss associated with continuous modulation approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of moving object

If conventional light shaping technology using spatial light modulator is used, then temporal width narrowing is achieved, but device cost increases due to expensive intensity modulators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporal widthVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the intensity modulation function from expensive spatial light modulators and replaces it with simpler spectral masking elements. By taking out the complex modulation requirement and replacing it with passive or simple active masks, the system achieves the same temporal compression effect at lower cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex intensity modulators with simpler, cheaper spectral masking elements. These masks can be implemented using inexpensive optical filters or digitally controlled spectral selectors, dramatically reducing device cost while maintaining temporal compression performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Duration of action of moving object

If spectral intensity is modulated with continuous modulation pattern, then temporal width narrowing is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporal widthVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention simplifies manufacturing by changing from continuous modulation pattern generation to discrete spectral masking with defined parameters (λc, W). This parameter-based approach allows masks to be manufactured using standard optical filtering techniques or simple digital control, eliminating the need for complex continuous pattern generation hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution achieves a higher temporal width narrowing rate with lower intensity loss, reducing the need for expensive intensity modulators and lowering the overall cost of the light shaping device, while maintaining or compensating peak intensity levels.

Implementation Method 1

The intensity modulation unit modulates the spectrum intensity of input light with a mask expressed by a starting end wavelength λr and a wavelength width W from the starting end wavelength λr

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpectral filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS12259601B2Light shaping device and light shaping method

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK

AI summary

Provided is a light shaping device including: an intensity modulation unit that modulates a spectrum intensity of an optical pulse that is input light, and outputs the optical pulse of which a temporal width is narrowed as output light. The intensity modulation unit modulates the spectrum intensity of the optical pulse with a mask expressed by a starting end wavelength from a central wavelength of the input light and a wavelength width.