Multi-bounce Optical Beam Steering via Segmented Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam steering technologies, such as MEMS and LCoS devices, face limitations in steering angle due to increased mirror area or phase range, which can result in insertion loss penalties and impact performance in applications like 3D sensing and lidar.
Innovation Solution
A beam steering system that includes a beam steering element, such as a MEMS mirror, and an optical system configured to return the optical beam multiple times for multiple bounces on the beam steering element, maintaining the beam waist and increasing the steering angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mirror area is increased to improve beam steering capability, then the steering angle is improved, but insertion loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beam steering function into multiple segments by using multiple mirrors (first mirror, second mirror, third mirror) arranged in sequence. Each mirror contributes a portion of the total steering angle, allowing the system to achieve large steering angles without requiring a single large mirror that would cause high insertion loss. The beam reflects off each mirror in turn, with each reflection contributing to the overall beam direction change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane beam steering approach to a multi-dimensional approach by arranging mirrors in a sequential path. The beam travels through multiple spatial locations and reflects off mirrors positioned at different locations, effectively using spatial dimensionality to achieve enhanced steering capability without increasing the area of any single mirror.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the phase range is increased to improve beam steering capability, then the steering angle is improved, but insertion loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the phase modulation function across multiple mirrors. Instead of requiring a single mirror with large phase range to achieve high steering angles, the system uses multiple mirrors where each mirror handles a portion of the phase modulation. This distribution reduces the phase range requirement for each individual mirror, thereby reducing insertion loss while maintaining overall steering capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bounces are implemented to increase steering angle, then the steering angle is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the optical system so that each mirror serves multiple functions: they all reflect the beam to contribute to steering, and they are all positioned to maintain the beam waist at the beam steering element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity despite the multiple bounces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent carefully controls parameters such as mirror positioning, beam waist size, and reflection angles to ensure that the beam waist is maintained throughout the multiple bounces. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves enhanced steering capability without requiring excessive complexity in the optical path design or additional components.
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 system achieves increased steering angles while preserving the beam waist, enhancing performance in applications such as 3D sensing, lidar, and wavelength selective switching.
Implementation Method 1
a beam steering element configured to steer an optical beam having a beam waist, where the beam steering element is oriented at a tilt angle relative to the optical beam
Implementation Method 2
an optical system including a first mirror that faces the beam steering element, and a second mirror that faces the first mirror. The optical system may be configured to return the optical beam to the beam steering element to provide multiple bounces of the optical beam on the beam steering element
Implementation Method 3
The optical system may be configured to image the beam waist of the optical beam on the beam steering element
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a beam steering system includes a beam steering element configured to steer an optical beam having a beam waist, and an optical system configured to return the optical beam to the beam steering element to provide multiple bounces of the optical beam on the beam steering element. The beam waist of the optical beam may be maintained from inputting the optical beam to the beam steering element to outputting the optical beam from the beam steering element.