Modular Focus Beam Shaper for Alternating Radiance Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems lack a modular and standardized approach to generate focused exit beams with alternating radiance profiles, requiring complex adjustments and multiple components to achieve diffraction-limited optical effects.
Innovation Solution
A modular optical system comprising a mounted phase plate, aspheric focusing lens, and beam expander, where optical components are housed with threaded stops and fine threads for precise alignment, allowing for easy combination and adjustment to produce focusing beam shapers with alternating radiance profiles across various image planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical components are used to generate focused exit beams with alternating radiance profiles, then the optical performance and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal optical component design where a single mounted optical component can generate multiple alternating radiance profiles (top-hat, donut, beam waist) by adjusting the mounted optical element within the housing. This multi-functional capability eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility in generating different radiance profiles for various applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustability within the mounted optical component, allowing the optical element to be moved along the optical axis and laterally positioned within the housing. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same physical component to produce different radiance profiles and focal characteristics, reducing the need for multiple fixed-function components and simplifying the overall system
2Manufacturing precision
If optical components are precisely aligned to achieve diffraction-limited optical effects, then the optical quality is improved, but the ease of operation and assembly are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features directly into the housing design, including pre-positioned mounting positions, integrated alignment marks, and predetermined optical paths. These preliminary actions are built into the housing structure itself, eliminating the need for complex post-assembly alignment procedures and making precise optical alignment achievable through simple component insertion and basic adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The mounted optical component design includes self-aligning features where the optical element automatically positions itself relative to the housing and other components through mechanical constraints and geometric relationships. This self-service alignment mechanism ensures diffraction-limited optical performance without requiring external alignment tools or complex adjustment procedures, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving high precision
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
Enables the production of a wide range of optical assemblies with highly precise, diffraction-limited optical effects by simplifying the assembly process and allowing for easy adaptation of radiance profiles and beam diameters, using a minimal number of components.
Implementation Method 1
focusing beam shapers or focus beam shapers (FBS) are known from the prior art, with which bundles of collimated input beams... are transformed into output beams that are focused on a focal plane
Implementation Method 2
A phase element imposes a design phase on an input ray
Implementation Method 3
Beam expanders are also known from the prior art, with which the diameter of a collimated beam of rays can be changed
Implementation Method 4
refractive beam shaper comprising a plurality of meniscus lenses arranged along the optical axis, each with at least one aspherically shaped optical surface
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a modular system of optical components (1.1, 1.2, 10) comprising a phase plate (1.1), a focusing lens (1.2), and a beam expander (10). The optical components (1.1, 1.2, 10) are each housed in a casing (2) which has a first and a second fine thread (2.1, 2.3). The first and second fine threads (2.1, 2.3) are designed to be screwed together. The mounted phase plate (1.1) is arranged such that it forms a focusing beam shaper (1) with an aspherical focusing lens (1.2) downstream in the beam path for transforming light collimated to the optical axis (X) of a wavelength and an entrance radiance distribution with a Gaussian profile into an exit radiance distribution (LS) with an alternating radiance profile (TP, TP', TP", DP, BP) in at least one image plane (B1 to B5).