Optical Cable Jumper for Uniform Laser Energy Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser systems face challenges in achieving uniform energy density when converting a bundle-type laser beam into a single-type beam, requiring precise alignment and distance control between lenses, which is difficult to maintain, especially in three-dimensional spaces.

Innovation Solution

A laser system incorporating an optical cable jumper with built-in microlenses and a mode scrambler that mixes the laser beam by controlling the curvature radius of the single-type optical cable, eliminating the need for center alignment and distance control between lenses, ensuring uniform energy density distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a laser beam mixer is used to convert bundle-type laser beam into single-type laser beam, then the conversion function is achieved, but precise alignment and distance control between lenses is required which increases device complexity and difficulty of operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaser beam conversion capabilityVSAvoidalignment and distance control requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical cable jumper is designed to automatically align and transmit the laser beam without requiring external alignment tools or procedures. The built-in microlenses are pre-positioned to automatically focus and transmit the beam, making the system self-aligning and eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures by operators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The optical cable jumper acts as an intermediary component between the bundle-type optical cable and the single-type optical cable. It contains built-in microlenses that mediate the beam transformation process, handling the complex optical alignment and focusing internally while presenting a simple connection interface to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If center alignment and distance control between lenses are implemented, then beam transmission accuracy is improved, but the setup time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam transmission accuracyVSAvoidalignment setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The microlenses are pre-aligned and pre-positioned during manufacturing with high precision. The optical cable jumper is prepared in advance with the correct lens spacing and alignment, so that when deployed, it immediately provides accurate beam transmission without requiring field alignment or setup adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If bundle-type optical cable is converted to single-type optical cable, then energy density uniformity is achieved, but the system requires complex lens alignment and distance control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy density uniformityVSAvoidalignment and distance control
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The optical cable jumper merges the functions of multiple microlenses into a single integrated component. Instead of requiring separate alignment of multiple lenses, the jumper combines them into one unit that performs beam mixing, focusing, and transmission internally, simplifying the operation while maintaining energy density uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 achieves uniform energy density distribution without the need for center alignment or distance control, simplifying the setup and enhancing the stability of the laser beam, making it suitable for precise applications like semiconductor processing and display sealing.

Implementation Method 1

an optical cable jumper (10) including an input terminal (11) and an output terminal (12) to transmit a laser beam from a bundle-type optical cable (1) connected to the input terminal (11) to a single-type optical cable (2) connected to the output terminal (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

The optical cable jumper (10) may include an optical tube and first and second microlenses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLens focusing: Lens

Implementation Method 3

the first NA may be established to have a value that is a difference between a first diameter of a laser beam profile at the optical cable jumper (10) at a predetermined percentage value region where an energy distribution of the laser beam has a maximum value and a second diameter of the laser beam profile at the optical cable jumper (10) at a focus region of the laser beam divided by a distance between the predetermined percentage value region and the focus region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNumerical aperture:

Implementation Method 4

a mode scrambler to mix the laser beam by controlling a curvature radius of the single-type optical cable connected to the optical cable jumper

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMode mixing:

Data Source

PatentEP2196833B1Laser system with an optical cable connector
Publication Date: 2015.11.11 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2196833B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2196833B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2196833B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A laser system (100) including an optical cable jumper(10) with input and output terminals, and a laser gun (30), wherein the optical jumper (10) transmits a laser beam from a bundle-type optical cable (1) connected to an input terminal thereof to a single-type optical cable (2) connected to an output terminal thereof. The laser gun (30) is connected to the single-type optical cable (2) at a rear of the optical cable jumper (10) to illuminate the laser beam to a target object.