Odd Mirror Optical Assembly for Polarization Phase Drift Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for analyzing and generating a state of polarization in the medical field require frequent calibration due to environmental sensitivity, particularly temperature-induced phase drift between birefringent elements, leading to time-consuming procedures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an optical assembly with an odd number of mirrors or half-wave plates between the birefringent elements to compensate for phase drift, reducing the need for extensive calibration by introducing an overall phase shift that eliminates temperature-related phase deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If birefringent elements are used for polarization analysis and generation, then the device can perform medical polarization measurements, but the device requires frequent calibration due to temperature-induced phase drift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A compensation birefringent element is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second birefringent elements. This compensation element actively counteracts the phase drift caused by temperature variations, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy without requiring frequent calibration procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of the compensation birefringent element (its birefringence value) dynamically to match and compensate for the phase drift in the other elements. By adjusting this parameter in response to temperature changes, the system maintains reliable measurements while eliminating repeated calibration needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If calibration procedures are performed to correct temperature drift effects, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but the procedure becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolarization state accuracyVSAvoidcalibration procedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The compensation birefringent element is pre-configured with specific optical properties that enable it to automatically counteract phase drift before measurements are taken. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for time-consuming calibration procedures while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The compensation birefringent element automatically adjusts and compensates for phase drift in the other elements without requiring external calibration intervention. The system serves itself by internally correcting temperature-induced errors, thereby maintaining precision while saving time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 configuration minimizes calibration time by automatically compensating for phase drifts, ensuring accurate polarization analysis and generation without the need for frequent recalibration.

Implementation Method 1

the optical assembly being made up of: an odd number of mirrors, or an odd number of half-wave plates, or a combined odd number of mirrors or half-wave plates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase shift:

Implementation Method 2

a first birefringent element capable of being traversed by said light beam, a second birefringent element identical to the first element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBirefringence: Birefringence

Implementation Method 3

a polarizer capable of selecting, in an incident light wave, a rectilinearly polarized light beam in a predefined direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 4

a photosensitive sensor capable of converting the reflected beam into an electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3019841B1Device for compensating for the drift of a phase shift of a device for modulating the polarization state of a light beam
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 UNIVERSITY OF STRASBOURG
  • EP3019841B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3019841B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3019841B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for analyzing and/or generating a polarization state of a measurement point of a target object; the device includes: a polarizer suitable for selecting, in an incident light wave, a light beam which is linearly polarized in a predefined direction; a first birefringent element suitable for having said light beam pass therethrough; a second birefringent element identical to the first element and suitable for having said light beam pass therethrough, said light beam then being directly or indirectly directed toward said object in order to be reflected in the form of a reflected beam. In addition, the optical assembly consisting of one or more optical elements is located in an optical path between the first element and the second element, the optical assembly consisting of: an odd number of mirrors, or, an odd number of half-wave plates, or, an odd number of a mix of mirrors and half-wave plates.