Optical Deflector Voltage Control for Sinusoidal Trajectory
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical deflectors using electro-optical crystals struggle to achieve a desired time dependency in the position of the deflected light beam, particularly when requiring sinusoidal or harmonic motion, due to the non-linear relationship between applied voltage and deflection angle.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling an optical deflector that adjusts the applied voltage to achieve a specific time-dependent deflection angle by iteratively calculating and applying a goal voltage, using an electro-optical material like KTN crystals, to ensure the light's trajectory follows the desired path with set accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional AC voltage is applied to the electro-optical crystal, then the deflection angle changes, but the position of the deflected light beam cannot achieve the desired sinusoidal or harmonic time dependency due to the non-linear relationship between voltage and deflection angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores the correspondence relationship between deflection angles and drive voltages in a lookup table before operation. During actual operation, the controller simply retrieves the pre-calculated voltage value corresponding to the desired deflection angle, eliminating the need for real-time complex calculations and achieving precise sinusoidal trajectory control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lookup table as an intermediary data structure that stores the pre-calculated relationship between deflection angles and drive voltages. This lookup table acts as a mediator between the desired trajectory and the actual voltage application, simplifying the control process while maintaining high precision
2Measurement precision
If the voltage-deflection angle relationship is non-linear, then achieving precise time-dependent trajectory requires complex iterative calculations, but this increases control complexity and computation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the complex iterative calculations in advance to build a lookup table containing the optimal voltage values for each desired deflection angle. During actual operation, the system simply queries this pre-computed table, reducing control calculation time from iterative computations to simple table lookups while maintaining high deflection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static non-linear voltage-deflection angle relationship into a dynamic lookup structure that can be efficiently queried. The lookup table dynamically provides the correct voltage value based on the desired deflection angle, adapting to the non-linear relationship without requiring real-time iterative calculations
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 method effectively achieves the desired time-dependent trajectory of the deflected light, ensuring accurate alignment and motion as per the goal specifications, even when the voltage-deflection angle relationship is non-linear, by repeated application of adjusted voltages.
Implementation Method 1
Optical deflectors that change the direction of travel of light by applying an alternating voltage such as a sine wave to a dielectric (electro-optical material) in a paraelectric phase
Implementation Method 2
A Peltier element 16 is disposed between the metal block 13a and a support plate 15
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes an optical deflector that changes a deflection angle depending on an applied voltage, a voltage control unit that applies a voltage to the optical deflector, and a storage unit that stores a value of a voltage to be output by the voltage control unit. The voltage control unit outputs a voltage of a value stored in the storage unit to the optical deflector. The storage unit stores a goal voltage V=ggoal(t), which provides a deflection angle θ with the goal time dependency θ=θgoal(t).