Optical Bank Rail Support for Crystal Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical benches experience misalignment and heat loss due to thermal expansion of crystals and adhesives, leading to inefficient light coupling and frequency distortions.
Innovation Solution
A micro-optical bench design featuring parallel rails with heat-conducting elements that support crystals indirectly, allowing for targeted temperature control and minimizing thermal stress, with FAC lenses attached between rails to maintain alignment and reduce heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the crystal is held directly on the carrier surface, then the mechanical connection is simple, but thermal expansion causes misalignment and loss of coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier surface is segmented into multiple parallel rails instead of a continuous surface. The crystal is supported at discrete points by these rails through a heat-conducting element, rather than having continuous contact with the carrier surface. This segmentation reduces the constraints on thermal expansion while maintaining mechanical support.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat-conducting element is introduced as an intermediary between the crystal and the rails. This element serves dual purposes: it provides the mechanical connection needed for support while allowing the crystal to thermally expand without direct constraint from the carrier, thereby preventing misalignment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the crystal has large contact area on the support, then mechanical stability is improved, but heat loss from the crystal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact area is segmented from a large continuous surface into discrete point contacts through the parallel rails. The heat-conducting element bridges these rails, providing mechanical stability through distributed support while minimizing the total contact area to reduce heat loss pathways.
3Device complexity
If conventional mounting is used, then the structure is simple, but thermal expansion causes frequency distortions and light scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is segmented into parallel rails rather than a continuous carrier surface. This segmentation allows the crystal to expand thermally in controlled directions without causing frequency distortions or light scattering, as the expansion is accommodated by the discrete support points.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal parameters are managed by changing the mounting configuration from direct surface contact to rail-based point contact. This parameter change in the mounting approach allows thermal expansion to occur without compromising light frequency accuracy or causing scattering.
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 solution effectively reduces thermal-induced distortions and coupling efficiency losses, maintaining precise alignment and efficient light transmission across temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat-conducting element for targeted temperature control of the crystal being arranged on the crystal, which is on the surfaces of the rails remote from the carrier applied
Implementation Method 2
at least one crystal mechanically connected to the carrier for changing the frequency of the light radiated into the crystal from a light source... non-linear optical effects can thus be produced by changing the frequency, in particular frequency doubling
Implementation Method 3
A phase adjustment can be achieved by changing the temperature of the crystal... at least one heating element for changing the temperature of the crystal on the heat-conducting element on the side opposite the crystal
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical bank (1) comprising a carrier (10) for receiving optical components (60, 70) and a crystal (30) that is mechanically connected to the carrier, for changing the frequency of the light irradiated into the crystal (30) from a light source (50). Two rails (12) are arranged essentially in parallel on the carrier (10). The crystal (30) and the carrier (10) are mechanically connected by a surface of the rails (12), facing away from the carrier (10). A heat conducting element (20) is arranged on the crystal, said heat conducting element being applied to the surfaces of the rails (12), that face away from the carrier (10).