Optical Converter Polarization Splitting Intensity Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for generating polarized radiation, particularly in high energy optics, face challenges in maintaining a highly polarized state over long distances due to significant intensity loss when using polarizing filters or multimode fiber optics, leading to reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optical converter that splits an incident light beam into two beams with different polarization states, using a polarizing beam splitter and a beam recombination unit to align and combine them, while a beam polarization converter adjusts the polarization states to maintain high intensity and efficiency, allowing for the generation of polarized radiation with minimal loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a polarizing filter or unit is used to polarize a light beam, then the polarization state is improved, but the intensity loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the incident light beam into two separate beams with different polarization states using a polarizing beam splitter. Each beam is then independently processed through polarization converters before being recombined. This segmentation allows each beam to maintain its polarization state without significant intensity loss, as the beam splitter operates at the boundary conditions where both polarization states can be transmitted with minimal loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polarization converters as intermediary elements between the beam splitter and the final recombination. These converters act as mediators that transform the polarization states of the beams without causing significant intensity loss. The converters are positioned to convert the polarization states to match the requirements of the subsequent optical system, thereby maintaining both polarization quality and intensity.
2Productivity
If multimode fiber optics are used to transmit polarized beams, then the transmission capability is improved, but the polarization state deteriorates significantly over short distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary polarization state conversion and alignment before the light enters the multimode fiber optic system. By using polarization converters to establish the correct polarization state upstream, the system prepares the beam in advance to maintain its polarization properties during transmission through the fiber, preventing deterioration that would occur if the polarization state were maintained without pre-processing.
3Shape
If the beam profile of the first beam is to be preserved in the output beam, then the beam quality is improved, but the alignment precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first beam and the second beam into a single output beam using a beam recombination unit. The merging process is designed to preserve the beam profile of the first beam while incorporating the second beam. By carefully designing the recombination optics, the system achieves the desired beam profile without requiring extremely tight alignment tolerances, as the merging process inherently accommodates reasonable alignment variations.
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 optical converter effectively generates polarized radiation with reduced intensity loss and improved efficiency by aligning and combining beams to maintain high polarization states, ensuring efficient transmission and use of light energy.
Implementation Method 1
a polarizing beam splitter (20) configured to split an incident light beam (Bin) into a first beam (B1) and a second beam (B2), wherein the first beam (B1) has a first polarization state (PS1) and the second beam (B2) has a second polarization state (PS2) being different from the first polarization state (PS1)
Implementation Method 2
a beam polarization converter (40) configured to convert either the first polarization state (PS1) of the first beam (B1) to the second polarization state (PS2) or the second polarization state (PS2) of the second beam (B2) to the first polarization state (PS1)
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1G
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical converter for generating polarized radiation, comprising: a polarizing beam splitter being configured to split an incident light beam into a first beam and a second beam, wherein the first beam has a first beam profile, and the second beam has a second beam profile, the first beam having a first polarization state and the second beam having a second polarization state being different from the first polarization state; a beam recombination unit being configured to combine the first beam and the second beam into a single output beam having a final polarization state, wherein the output beam has an output beam profile and wherein the beam recombination unit is configured to align the first beam and the second beam such that the output beam profile substantially corresponds to a beam profile of the first beam profile being adjacent to the second beam profile; and a beam polarization converter being configured to either convert the first polarization state of the first beam to the second polarization state or the second polarization state of the second beam to the first polarization state, such that the output beam has a final polarization state corresponding to either the second polarization state or the first polarization state, respectively, or convert the first polarization state of the first beam and the second polarization state of the second beam to a third polarization state different from the first polarization state and the second polarization state, such that the output beam has a final polarization state corresponding to the third polarization state. The invention relates furthermore to an optical coupler for generating a light beam having a predetermined light beam profile, an optical device for generating polarized radiation, and a method of generating polarized radiation.