Matrix-array optical component with holographic lenses and reflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microlens matrices face manufacturing and cleaning complexities due to curved surfaces, and diffraction-based optical components have low focusing efficiency, with existing solutions not achieving high focusing efficiency and on-axis focusing at normal incidence.
Innovation Solution
A matrix optical component comprising a reflector array and a matrix of holographic lenses with through openings, where each holographic lens is formed by a reflection hologram and a reflector, allowing for efficient focusing of light beams at normal incidence without curved surfaces, achieving high focusing efficiency and low thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If microlens arrays are used to focus light beams, then focusing capability is achieved, but manufacturing and cleaning become complex due to curved surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional refractive microlens approach by using reflective holographic elements instead. The holographic lens array uses diffraction and reflection principles rather than refraction through curved surfaces, eliminating the need for complex curved surface manufacturing while maintaining focusing capability. The flat substrate with holographic patterns achieves the same optical function without the manufacturing difficulties of curved microlenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/refractive system of microlenses with an optical/diffraction-based holographic system. Instead of physically shaping glass or plastic into curved microlens surfaces, the invention uses holographic interference patterns recorded on a flat substrate to achieve focusing, substituting mechanical form with optical function.
2Ease of manufacture
If diffraction-based optical components are used to avoid curved surfaces, then ease of manufacture is improved, but focusing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a flat substrate with holographic optical elements and reflective layers. This composite approach integrates the ease of flat surface manufacturing with enhanced optical performance through the combination of diffraction (from holographic patterns) and reflection (from metallic or dielectric reflective layers), achieving both manufacturability and high focusing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional diffraction patterns to a three-dimensional optical path control by incorporating reflective layers at different depths and angles. This dimensional addition allows the system to redirect diffracted light more efficiently toward focal points, recovering energy that would otherwise be lost and significantly improving focusing efficiency while maintaining flat surface topology.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional holographic lenses are used, then focusing capability is achieved, but on-axis focusing at normal incidence cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the holographic lens into multiple elementary holographic lenses arranged in an array, where each element is optimized for specific angular ranges. This segmentation allows different portions of the array to handle different incident angles, with central elements optimized for normal incidence and on-axis focusing, while peripheral elements handle off-axis beams, achieving both normal incidence operation and on-axis focusing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality optimization by designing different regions of the holographic lens array with specialized characteristics. The central region uses holographic patterns optimized for normal incidence and on-axis focusing, while peripheral regions are optimized for oblique incidence. This local differentiation enables the system to achieve on-axis focusing at normal incidence in the central region while maintaining overall array functionality.
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 enables high focusing efficiency, greater than or equal to 50%, and on-axis focusing of light beams at normal incidence, with a flat surface topology and reduced thickness, overcoming the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
each holographic lens is formed by at least one hologram in reflection
Implementation Method 2
each individual cell of the matrix optical component comprising a reflector of the matrix of reflectors and a respective holographic lens of each of the at least one matrix of holographic lenses, with the reflector and the holographic lens arranged opposite each other on either side of the support and with respective reflective faces of said reflector and said holographic lens located face to face
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B~3C
AI summary
Matrix-array optical component (100) that comprises, superposed, a holder (120), a matrix-array of reflectors (130), and at least one matrix-array of holographic lenses (110), with the holder (120) placed between the matrix-array of reflectors and the at least one matrix-array of holographic lenses. The holographic lenses are each formed by at least one reflection hologram, and each comprise a through-aperture for letting light pass. Each individual cell (10) of the matrix-array optical component comprises one reflector (131) of the matrix-array of reflectors and one holographic lens (111) of the matrix-array of holographic lenses, which are arranged opposite one another on either side of the holder with respective reflective faces of the reflector and of the holographic lens located facing. Thus, a planar matrix-array optical component with a focusing efficiency higher than or equal to 50% and able to focus an incident light beam axially is produced.