Optical Deflector Structure for Stable KTN Crystal Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The position and orientation of the electro-optical material in existing optical deflectors are not stable, leading to variations in characteristics due to arbitrary angles and changes during operation, affecting reproducibility and stability.
Innovation Solution
An optical deflector design incorporating a dielectric with a paraelectric phase and a trap for electric charge, featuring conductors, insulators, and temperature control, with excitation light irradiation, to stabilize the position and orientation of the KTN crystal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electro-optical material is disposed between the cathode-side metal block and the anode-side metal block without additional positioning structures, then the device structure is simple, but the position and orientation of the electro-optical material are not stable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces insulators as intermediary components between the metal blocks and the electro-optical material. These insulators serve dual functions: they provide electrical insulation while also acting as positioning structures that uniquely determine the position and orientation of the electro-optical material, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning function from the blocking function by introducing separate insulator components. Instead of relying on a single integrated structure, the insulators are positioned at specific locations (front surface and side surface) to independently control different aspects of positioning, achieving precise orientation while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the electro-optical material is allowed to be disposed at arbitrary angles, then the manufacturing process is flexible, but the characteristics of the optical deflector vary depending on the angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning through the insulator configuration, where the insulator at the side surface creates a unique angular orientation for the electro-optical material. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the material can only be installed at a specific angle, eliminating arbitrary orientations and ensuring reproducible characteristics while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple insulator placement.
3Temperature
If temperature control mechanisms are added to control the temperature of metal blocks, then the temperature can be optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies temperature control measures preliminarily during the design stage by integrating temperature control mechanisms directly into the metal block structure. The insulators are positioned to facilitate thermal management, and temperature control is built into the system architecture from the beginning, allowing temperature optimization without significantly increasing operational complexity.
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
Enhances reproducibility and stability of optical deflector characteristics by uniquely determining the position and angle of the KTN crystal, improving manufacturing consistency and operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
a dielectric having a paraelectric phase and a trap for storing electric charge therein
Implementation Method 2
deflects light transmitted through the dielectric by applying a voltage
Implementation Method 3
one of the side surfaces of the dielectric is irradiated with excitation light through the insulator
Implementation Method 4
temperature is controlled by Peltier elements 908 and 909
Data Source
AI summary
An optical deflector which includes a dielectric having a paraelectric phase and a trap for storing an electric charge therein and deflects light transmitted through the dielectric by applying a voltage in a direction perpendicular to a transmission direction of the dielectric is provided. The optical deflector includes a first conductor, the dielectric, a second conductor, and two insulators in contact with both side surfaces parallel to a voltage application direction of the dielectric between the first conductor and the second conductor in this order, wherein a voltage is applied between the first conductor and the second conductor, a temperature of the first conductor and the second conductor is controlled independently, and one of the side surfaces of the dielectric is irradiated with excitation light through one insulator.