Monolithic Fold Device for Compact Laser Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser setups face challenges in achieving a compact structure while maintaining high pulse repetition frequencies and output power, as well as efficiently guiding beams through multiple passes to enhance beam properties, due to the complexity and alignment issues of multiple components, which can lead to mechanical instability and incomplete utilization of available material volume.
Innovation Solution
A fold device with planar, tilted reflecting surfaces is used to guide the beam path, allowing for multiple passes through a medium with adjustable geometry, reducing the number of components and manufacturing complexity, and enhancing beam separation and material utilization, while being less sensitive to alignment errors through error-compensating optical layouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple individual folding mirrors are used to guide the beam path, then the beam can be folded through multiple passes, but the device complexity increases due to the need for separate mounting, alignment, and adjustment of each component
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual folding mirrors into a single monolithic block with multiple reflecting surfaces. This single block performs the function of multiple separate mirrors, reducing the number of components that need to be mounted and aligned independently. The beam path is still folded through multiple passes, but now achieved within one integrated structure rather than through assembly of separate components.
2Shape
If multiple individual folding mirrors are used to fold the beam path, then beam folding is achieved, but mechanical stability decreases due to sensitivity to misalignment from external impacts
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple folding mirrors into one monolithic block, the patent eliminates the interfaces between separate components where misalignment could occur. The single block structure ensures that all reflecting surfaces maintain their relative positions fixed, preventing alignment drift from external impacts. The beam path geometry is maintained through the integrated design of the block's internal reflecting surfaces.
3Length of stationary object
If the beam path goes through the same reflection points repeatedly, then a compact structure is achieved, but material utilization decreases because partial beams are not separated and the same volume is over-used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses tilted reflecting surfaces within the monolithic block to direct different partial beams to different reflection points and spatial locations. Instead of all beams passing through the same point repeatedly, the tilted surfaces spread the beam paths across different regions of the medium, utilizing the available material volume more effectively while maintaining a compact overall structure.
4Manufacturing precision
If the beam cross section is tuned to match the reflection point, then alignment precision is improved, but adaptability decreases because changes in beam profile or path are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable tilted reflecting surfaces within the monolithic block that can be independently positioned or angled. This allows the beam cross-section and path to be dynamically adjusted to match different requirements. The adjustable surfaces provide precision alignment for specific beam profiles while simultaneously allowing flexibility to change beam paths or profiles as needed, resolving the contradiction between precision and adaptability.
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
This approach enables a compact, flexible, and robust laser design with improved beam properties and material utilization, reducing sensitivity to mechanical impacts and alignment errors, thus achieving higher design flexibility and environmental robustness.
Implementation Method 1
A fold device according to the invention has at least two converging or mutually tilted, reflecting planes between which the beam path is guided. These planes may be constituted both by the external surfaces of several reflective elements and by the inner surfaces of a single element. That is, reflection occurs at a transition between at least two media of different optical refractive indices.
Data Source
AI summary
The use of reflecting surfaces that are inclined towards one another enables the multiple reflection of a beam path to be achieved in a laser structure. This permits the realization of compact laser assemblies. The introduction of beam-influencing media between the reflective surfaces or the configuration of said reflective surfaces from or using media of this type allows the use of the multiple reflection for influencing parameters of the radiation or radiation field.