Multiplexed Hologram Exposure with Central Beam Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hologram generation systems face inefficiencies due to limited productivity and high costs associated with laser utilization, vibration dissipation times, and increased system footprint, particularly when generating high-quality holograms on multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A multiplex hologram generating system with a central mirror and beam splitters in each process chamber, along with rotatable mirrors in three axes, to direct and split laser beams efficiently across multiple devices, enhancing beam uniformity and reducing the need for additional lasers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single laser is used to write holograms with multiple adjustments of linear and rotary axes, then system cost is reduced, but productivity is limited due to vibration dissipation time and low laser utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the single laser beam into multiple beams using beam splitters and diffraction gratings, allowing simultaneous exposure of multiple devices. This divides the work load across parallel processing channels, eliminating the sequential bottleneck and reducing total production time without requiring multiple lasers.
Solution Approach 2:
The single laser source performs multiple functions by generating beams for multiple devices simultaneously through optical segmentation. The laser serves as a universal source that can address multiple process chambers at once, increasing utilization efficiency and eliminating idle time between exposures.
2Productivity
If additional lasers are used to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but system cost and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding more laser sources, the system segments the optical path of a single laser using beam splitters and diffraction gratings. This creates multiple independent beam paths that can simultaneously process multiple devices, achieving the throughput of multiple lasers while maintaining a single laser source and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Beam splitters and diffraction gratings act as intermediary optical elements that divide the single laser beam into multiple paths. These intermediaries enable one laser to serve multiple devices simultaneously, replacing the need for multiple lasers and reducing system cost and footprint.
3Productivity
If multiple lasers are deployed to process multiple devices simultaneously, then productivity increases, but laser utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments a single high-utilization laser beam into multiple paths using optical splitters and gratings, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple devices. This maintains continuous operation of the single laser source, maximizing its utilization efficiency while achieving the throughput of multiple lasers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functionality of multiple lasers into a single laser source by combining optical paths through beam splitters and diffraction gratings. This consolidation maintains continuous laser operation across all process chambers, improving overall utilization efficiency while achieving high throughput.
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 increases hologram productivity and throughput while maintaining beam quality, reducing costs and system size by optimizing beam distribution and interference patterns.
Implementation Method 1
A central mirror is centrally disposed among the process chambers and is rotatable to reflect the beam to each of the process chambers for processing
Implementation Method 2
A beam splitter is disposed within each of the process chambers and each beam splitter is used to receive beams from the central mirror and emit a first beam in a first direction and a second beam in a second direction
Implementation Method 3
A first mirror directs the first beam to a device and a second mirror directs the second beam to the device. Each of the first mirror and second mirror is rotatable in three axes
Implementation Method 4
Generating holograms involves directing two interfering beams to form a pattern on a device
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for fabricating optical devices. The apparatus includes a support table having process chambers and a laser used to direct a beam along a propagation path to each of the process chambers. A central mirror is centrally disposed among the process chambers and is rotatable to reflect the beam to each of the process chambers for processing. A beam splitter is disposed within each of process chambers, each beam splitter is used to receive beams from the central mirror and emits a first beam in a first direction and a second beam in a second direction. A first mirror directs the first beam to a device and a second mirror directs the second beam to the device. Each of the first and second mirror is rotatable in at least three axes.