Multi-Step Nanojets Lens for Beam Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for guiding visible light, particularly in single step nanojets lenses, face challenges in enhancing focusing efficiency while maintaining wavelength-scale dimensions and low dispersive behavior.
Innovation Solution
A multi-step nanojets lens structure is proposed, comprising two stacked steps within dielectric material layers with specific refractive index values and angles, allowing for enhanced focusing of nanojets beams by adjusting the dimensions and positions of the steps to achieve higher intensity and longer beam lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single step nanojets lens structure is used, then the device maintains wavelength-scale dimensions and low dispersive behavior, but the focusing efficiency and beam intensity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lens structure is divided into multiple discrete steps (first step, second step, etc.) stacked vertically. Each step has specific geometric parameters (width, height, base angle) that can be independently optimized. This segmentation allows the complex focusing function to be achieved through simpler, modular components while maintaining wavelength-scale dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-step two-dimensional structure to a multi-step three-dimensional structure. By stacking steps vertically with different heights and horizontal positions, the system exploits the third dimension to enhance beam intensity and provide additional degrees of freedom for controlling beam characteristics without significantly increasing lateral footprint.
2Productivity
If the number of steps in the nanojets lens is increased, then the beam intensity and focusing efficiency improve, but the manufacturing complexity and precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes specific geometric parameters of each step (widths W1, W2, heights H1, H2, base angles) to achieve maximum focusing efficiency. By carefully selecting these parameters, the system enhances beam intensity while keeping the number of steps manageable (e.g., two steps), thus balancing manufacturing precision requirements with productivity gains.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-step structure is implemented, then additional degrees of freedom are available for controlling beam characteristics, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the lens (each step) are designed with specific local properties (different widths, heights, positions, base angles) to perform specialized functions. The first step, second step, and subsequent steps each contribute differently to beam formation, allowing independent optimization of local characteristics to achieve global beam control objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-step structure introduces asymmetry in the vertical and horizontal dimensions. Steps are positioned at different horizontal locations and have different heights, creating an asymmetric profile that provides additional degrees of freedom for controlling beam orientation, focus position, and intensity distribution, thereby enhancing 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
The multi-step nanojets lens structure increases the intensity of the focused beam by 10% to 25% compared to single-step lenses, with additional degrees of freedom for controlling beam characteristics, including intensity, length, and orientation, through the optimization of step sizes and refractive index ratios.
Implementation Method 1
the choices of a value of a height of the step, and a value of a base angle (i.e. related to the slope of the step), have an impact on the deviation of an incident light (i.e. these parameters enable the control of a complex electromagnetic phenomenon associated with the light diffraction on edges of a step)
Implementation Method 2
a first layer of a dielectric material having a first refractive index value; a second layer of a dielectric material having a second refractive index value, wherein said second refractive index value is greater than said first refractive index value
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a host medium having a first refractive index value; a first layer comprising a first dielectric material having a second refractive index value, wherein the second refractive index value is greater than the first refractive index value, and wherein the first layer comprises a first step structure at a boundary between the first layer and the host medium; and a second layer comprising a second dielectric material and comprising a second step structure, the second layer having a third refractive index value higher than the first refractive index value of the host medium, wherein the second step structure is stacked on the first step structure, and, in response to an incident electromagnetic wave reaching the device, a first nanojet beam generated by the first step structure and a second nanojet beam generated by the second step structure are combined and focused around a first focusing point.