MEMS Light Deflection with Optical Angle Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser light deflection techniques, such as those using gimbal mirrors or rotary stages, are not suitable for systems requiring a reduction in size, weight, or low power consumption due to their need for large mechanical operations.
Innovation Solution
A light deflection device incorporating a MEMS light deflection element and an angle increasing optical element, such as a liquid crystal diffraction element, which includes a cholesteric liquid crystal layer with a continuously rotating optical axis and varying periodic structure pitches, to enhance deflection angles without increasing size or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical methods (gimbal mirror or rotary stage) are used for light deflection, then the deflection control is direct and simple, but the device size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical gimbal mirror or rotary stage system with a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) light deflection element. This substitution eliminates the need for large mechanical moving parts while achieving the same light deflection function, thereby significantly reducing device weight and size while maintaining deflection control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an angle increasing optical element that operates in the optical dimension rather than the mechanical dimension. By using optical elements with different periodic structure pitches to manipulate light angles, the system achieves enhanced deflection angles without proportionally increasing mechanical size or weight
2Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical methods (gimbal mirror or rotary stage) are used for light deflection, then the deflection control is direct and simple, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces power-intensive mechanical drive systems with low-power MEMS technology. The MEMS light deflection element requires minimal electrical power to actuate compared to the motors and mechanical drive systems needed for gimbal mirrors or rotary stages, thereby significantly reducing overall device power consumption
3Weight of moving object
If MEMS light deflection element is used to reduce size and weight, then the device becomes compact, but the deflection angle range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a MEMS light deflection element with an angle increasing optical element in a hybrid configuration. The MEMS element provides compact, low-weight deflection capability, while the angle increasing optical element (with varying periodic structure pitches) expands the effective deflection angle range, achieving both compactness and wide angular coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical elements with spatially varying periodic structure pitches to extend the deflection angle range without increasing the physical size of the MEMS element. By manipulating light propagation in the optical dimension, the system achieves enhanced angular versatility while maintaining the compact form factor
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 device achieves increased deflection angles while maintaining a compact structure, suitable for applications requiring reduced size and weight, and low power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an angle increasing optical element that is disposed downstream of the light deflection element in a light traveling direction and increases an angle range of a deflection angle of light emitted from the light deflection element
Implementation Method 2
a liquid crystal diffraction element, which includes a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer has a liquid crystal alignment pattern in which a direction of an optical axis derived from a liquid crystal compound changes while continuously rotating
Implementation Method 3
a MEMS light deflection element that deflects incident light to be emitted
Implementation Method 4
MEMS light deflection element
Data Source
AI summary
A light deflection device having a simple structure suitable for reducing the size and weight where a deflection angle can be increased, and an optical device including the light deflection device. The light deflection device includes: a MEMS light deflection element that deflects incident light to be emitted; and an angle increasing optical element that is disposed downstream of the light deflection element in a light traveling direction and increases an angle range of a deflection angle of light emitted from the light deflection element, in which the MEMS light deflection element has a function of collecting and emitting incident light.