Optical Device Using Beam Splitter for Tiled Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and cost associated with manufacturing diffractive optical elements (DOEs) for generating tiled illumination patterns are high due to the need for precise deviation of diffraction patterns, which often results in unwanted zero-order beams causing dynamic range and eye health issues.
Innovation Solution
An optical device comprising a beam splitter and a pattern generator optically coupled to split and format an incident light beam into overlapping diffraction patterns, each with a zero-order beam, allowing for the separation of zero-order beams to reduce intensity and simplify DOE design and manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a DOE is used to generate a tiled illumination pattern by deviating diffraction patterns, then the illumination pattern can cover the volume, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to precise deviation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the incident light beam into multiple partial beams using a beam splitter, with each partial beam being directed to a separate DOE. This segmentation allows each DOE to be simpler in design while collectively providing comprehensive volume coverage through their combined diffraction patterns.
2Illumination intensity
If a DOE is used to generate diffraction patterns, then the illumination pattern is created, but unwanted zero-order beams cause dynamic range and eye health issues
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter divides the incident light beam into multiple partial beams, which subsequently form multiple diffraction patterns with multiple zero-order beams. This segmentation distributes the harmful zero-order beam energy across multiple lower-intensity beams rather than concentrating it in a single high-intensity beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the multiple zero-order beams at different locations in the illumination pattern, allowing each to have limited local intensity. This spatial distribution of zero-order beams reduces their harmful effects while maintaining overall illumination quality in the volume.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple diffraction patterns are tiled by deviating them, then volume coverage is achieved, but the DOE design and manufacturing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating a single complex DOE that deviates multiple diffraction patterns precisely, the patent segments the function across multiple simpler DOEs. Each DOE handles a portion of the illumination task, reducing individual manufacturing complexity while achieving comprehensive volume coverage collectively.
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
This approach reduces the complexity and cost of DOE manufacturing while maintaining sufficient power in the illumination pattern, ensuring eye safety by distributing zero-order beam power across multiple partial beams, thus addressing the issues of dynamic range and eye health.
Implementation Method 1
each diffraction pattern resulting from a corresponding portion of the incident light beam being split from other portions of the incident light beam by the beam splitter, each diffraction pattern having a zero-order beam
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the optical device for generating an illumination pattern has a beam splitter and a pattern generator mounted in series and optically coupled one with the other. The beam splitter and the pattern generator are configured to cooperate one with the other in formatting an incident light beam into the illumination pattern. The illumination pattern has a plurality of diffraction patterns each resulting from a corresponding portion of the incident light beam being split from other portions of the incident light beam by the beam splitter. Each diffraction pattern has a zero-order beam. Each diffraction pattern overlaps with at least one of the other diffraction patterns and forms at least one overlapping region therewith, wherein the plurality of zero-order beams of the plurality of diffraction patterns are separated from one another in the illumination pattern.