Light Source Device Speckle Reduction via Polarization Splitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light source devices that emit laser light struggle with speckle reduction, which is desirable for improved image quality in display devices like projectors.
Innovation Solution
A compact light source device design that includes a substrate, a laser element, an optical element, and a polarization element. The optical element has surfaces that reflect and transmit different components of the laser light, allowing for the emission of laser lights with different polarization states, which reduces speckles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional light source device uses a single laser element, then the device structure is simple and compact, but it cannot reduce speckles effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the laser light into multiple polarization components (first and second components) using an optical element with reflective surfaces. Each component is then selectively transmitted or blocked by a polarization element, creating multiple laser beams with different polarization states that reduce speckle when combined.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element has different surface properties: a first surface that reflects the first polarization component and a second surface that reflects the second polarization component. This local differentiation of optical properties allows simultaneous generation of multiple polarization states from a single laser element.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple laser elements with different polarization states are used, then speckle reduction is achieved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple laser elements into a single laser element by using an optical element with multiple reflective surfaces. This single element processes the laser light to generate multiple polarization components in one integrated structure, reducing device volume while maintaining speckle reduction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element serves multiple functions: it receives laser light from a single element, separates it into different polarization components through its first and second surfaces, and directs each component through the polarization element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate laser elements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an optical element with multiple reflective surfaces is used, then laser lights with different polarization states are generated, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element features asymmetric surface configuration with a first surface and a second surface having different orientations and reflective properties. This asymmetric design enables the element to selectively reflect different polarization components in different directions, achieving the desired optical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element utilizes changes in polarization state as a key parameter to separate and process different light components. By manipulating polarization parameters through the reflective surfaces and polarization element, the system generates multiple laser beams with distinct polarization states from a single input.
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 proposed solution effectively reduces speckles by emitting laser lights with different polarization states, improving image quality in display devices while also allowing for a compact device design.
Implementation Method 1
The optical element has a first surface that reflects in a first direction a first component of the laser light incident onto the optical element from the laser element, and a second surface that reflects in the first direction a second component of the laser light
Implementation Method 2
one method for reducing speckles is to use laser lights having different polarization states
Implementation Method 3
The first component of the laser light reflected by the first surface is not transmitted through the polarization element and the second component of the laser light reflected by the second surface is transmitted through the polarization element
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device includes a substrate, a laser element on a main surface of the substrate and configured to emit laser light, an optical element on the main surface of the substrate and in an optical path of the laser light, and a polarization element on the optical element. The optical element has a first surface that reflects in a first direction a first component of the laser light incident onto the optical element from the laser element, and a second surface that reflects in the first direction a second component of the laser light incident onto the optical element from the laser element and transmitted through the first surface. The first component of the laser light reflected by the first surface is not transmitted through the polarization element and the second component of the laser light reflected by the second surface is transmitted through the polarization element.