Nano-structured Lens for Collimating Surface Emitter Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lenses are bulky, expensive, and inefficient in collimating light from sources like LEDs, as they are designed for far-field applications and fail to utilize the power in the near-field, leading to reduced compactness and increased size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A nano-structured lens with a periodic pattern of optically transparent materials of different indices is used to collimate light by scattering high-angle radiation in the forward direction, allowing for near-field energy coupling and reducing the size and cost of optical light shaping elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional geometric lenses are used to collimate light from surface emitters, then light collimation is achieved, but the lens size becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by utilizing near-field radiation instead of far-field radiation, and by using sub-wavelength periodic structures instead of conventional geometric curvatures. This allows the lens to be much smaller while still achieving effective light collimation through coherent scattering mechanisms rather than traditional refraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by using periodic nano-structures with dimensions at the sub-wavelength scale, creating a fundamentally different light-matter interaction regime. This dimensional change enables compact lens design by exploiting near-field effects that occur at scales much smaller than conventional optical components.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional geometric lenses are used to collimate light, then light collimation is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameters by transitioning from precision optical grinding and polishing of curved surfaces to fabrication techniques for periodic nano-structures. These nano-structures can be manufactured using standard semiconductor fabrication processes such as lithography and etching, which are more cost-effective and scalable than traditional optical manufacturing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of precision lens grinding and polishing with a fabrication process based on lithographic patterning and etching. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive optical-grade surface finishes and complex mechanical tooling, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while achieving the desired optical functionality.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional geometric lenses are used to collimate light, then light collimation is achieved, but power usage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously wasted near-field radiation into useful collimated light. Conventional lenses discard near-field radiation as it cannot be effectively utilized, but this patent exploits that near-field radiation through coherent scattering from periodic nano-structures, thereby converting what was previously a loss into a beneficial contribution to the collimated output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves continuous utilization of light energy by capturing and redirecting near-field radiation that would otherwise be lost. The periodic nano-structures continuously scatter incoming radiation in a coherent manner, maintaining efficient energy conversion across the entire light spectrum that interacts with the structure, thereby maximizing power usage efficiency.
4Illumination intensity
If conventional geometric lenses are used to collimate light, then light collimation is achieved, but the optical system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the scale parameters by operating in the near-field regime where the lens dimensions are comparable to or smaller than the wavelength of light. This parameter change enables the entire optical system to be miniaturized, as the collimation function is achieved through sub-wavelength periodic structures rather than large-scale geometric curvatures.
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 nano-structured lens efficiently collimates light, increasing power usage efficiency, reducing heat and cost, and enabling smaller optical elements by utilizing the near-field radiation, which conventional lenses cannot effectively handle.
Implementation Method 1
near field radiation propagating from the light emitting layer towards the lens not within said angle to the line will be scattered and redirected by the first lens to the far field to thereby collimate the radiation
Implementation Method 2
The structure includes or is formed from at least two optically transparent materials of different optical indices. The radiation propagating from the light emitting layer within an angle to a line normal to the plane will be transmitted by the first lens to a far field in an index-guided mode
Data Source
AI summary
A light source for providing light comprises a light emitting layer and a lens comprising a periodic structure therein that is periodic along at least one direction in a plane. The structure includes or is formed from at least two optically transparent materials of different optical indices. The lens is separated from the light emitting layer, and the radiation propagating from the light emitting layer within an angle to a line normal to the plane will be transmitted by the lens to a far field in an index-guided mode. The separation between the light emitting layer and the lens is such that near field radiation propagating from the light emitting layer towards the lens not within said angle to the line will be scattered and redirected by the first lens to the far field to thereby collimate the radiation propagating from the light emitting layer to the far field.