Optical Deflector Temperature Gradient Charge Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical deflectors using electro-optical materials experience variations in lens effect due to non-uniform charge density and instantaneous drive voltage, leading to inconsistent beam spot diameter and wavelength selectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
An optical deflector with a temperature control unit that applies a temperature gradient to the electro-optical material, ensuring a uniform charge density by adjusting the dielectric constant across the material, thereby reducing the dependence of the lens effect on the instantaneous drive voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a DC bias voltage is superimposed on the AC drive voltage to achieve high-speed deflection, then the deflection speed is improved, but the charge density becomes non-uniform causing lens effect variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a temperature gradient across the electro-optical material to modify the dielectric constant distribution. By changing the temperature parameter spatially, the dielectric constant becomes position-dependent, which compensates for the non-uniform charge density caused by DC bias voltage. This allows high-speed deflection with DC bias while maintaining uniform optical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different thermal conditions at different locations within the electro-optical material. The temperature gradient establishes local quality variations in the dielectric constant, with higher temperature regions having different dielectric properties than cooler regions. This local differentiation compensates for charge accumulation effects at specific locations.
2Area of moving object
If the electro-optical material is operated at high drive voltage for wide-angle deflection, then the deflection angle is improved, but the beam spot diameter varies due to lens effect
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing a temperature gradient, the patent changes the dielectric constant parameter spatially across the electro-optical material. This parameter modification creates a compensating effect that counteracts the lens effect variations caused by high drive voltages, ensuring consistent beam spot diameter across the deflection range.
3Device complexity
If a uniform temperature is applied to the electro-optical material, then the device structure is simplified, but the charge density becomes non-uniform causing optical performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality differentiation through a temperature gradient, where different regions of the electro-optical material are maintained at different temperatures. This spatial variation in temperature creates corresponding variations in dielectric constant that compensate for charge accumulation, improving optical stability despite the increased control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the temperature parameter across the electro-optical material to achieve uniform charge density distribution. By changing the temperature parameter spatially, the dielectric constant is adjusted to counteract non-uniform charge effects, thereby stabilizing optical output.
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 achieves a stable and uniform lens effect across the electro-optical material, maintaining consistent beam diameter and wavelength selectivity regardless of the drive voltage's instantaneous value, enhancing the optical deflector's performance.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature control unit controls the temperatures of the first conductor hold unit and the second conductor hold unit so as to give the electro-optical material a temperature gradient
Implementation Method 2
An electric field is generated inside the KTN crystal 11 by voltage application from the control voltage source and electron injection into the KTN crystal 11, enabling to generate a refractive index distribution inside the KTN crystal 11
Implementation Method 3
a Peltier element 16 disposed between the metal block 13a and the support plate 15
Data Source
AI summary
An optical deflector includes an electro-optical material in a paraelectric phase and having a trap for accumulating charges inside the electro-optical material; an electrode pair formed on facing surfaces of the electro-optical material; a first and second conductor hold units provided so as to hold the electro-optical material and the electrode pair therebetween; a temperature sensor that measures at least one of temperatures of the conductor hold units; and a temperature control unit that controls the temperatures of the conductor hold units, based on the measurement temperature, and the optical deflector sets an optical axis of incident light into the electro-optical material so as to be orthogonal to the electric field direction, applies between the electrode pair an alternating current voltage on which a direct current bias voltage is superimposed, and thereby deflects the incident light, in which the temperatures of the first and second conductor hold units are controlled so as to give the electro-optical material a temperature gradient to make a charge density in the electro-optical material substantially uniform.