Variable Optical Diffuser Positioning for Laser Beam Divergence Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Illuminator devices face challenges in increasing irradiance while maintaining optimal illumination quality and compact size, often resulting in increased device size, reduced illumination quality, or reduced ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A variable divergence optical diffuser system that includes a mounting unit and a diffuser unit with fixed diffuser elements, allowing adjustment of the diffuser unit's position within the optical path of co-aligned laser sources to alter angular beam widths, using diffuser elements such as diffractive optical elements to vary the angular divergence of emitted light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the far field beam divergence is decreased to increase output power, then the irradiance at target increases, but the device size increases and illumination quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a variable beam divergence optical diffuser that can dynamically adjust the beam divergence angle according to ranging distance. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high output power while controlling device size, as the diffuser adapts its divergence characteristics rather than requiring fixed large-aperture optics for all ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes optical parameters (beam divergence angle) based on operating conditions (ranging distance). By modifying the divergence parameter dynamically, the system achieves high irradiance at target without permanently increasing device size, resolving the contradiction between power output and compact form factor.
2Power
If the far field beam divergence is decreased to increase output power, then the irradiance at target increases, but the illumination quality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The variable beam divergence optical diffuser dynamically adjusts beam characteristics based on target distance. For illumination quality requirements, the system increases divergence to provide area illumination; for maximum irradiance, it decreases divergence. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between concentrated power and illumination quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the diffuser unit position is adjusted to alter angular beam widths, then the angular divergence is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting unit serves multiple functions: it positions the diffuser unit, adjusts beam divergence, and integrates with the laser source array. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by consolidating adjustment mechanisms rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
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
Facilitates high-power illumination with higher precision pointing and smoother illumination properties in a compact package by adjusting the diffuser elements' position relative to the laser sources, enhancing beam uniformity and intensity profile.
Implementation Method 1
the diffuser elements can alter angular beam widths of emitted light from respective ones of the group of co-aligned laser sources according to a function of the position of the diffuser unit within the optical path
Data Source
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AI summary
A variable optical diffuser system includes a mounting unit and a diffuser unit coupled to the mounting unit and positionable by the mounting unit into an optical path of a group of co-aligned laser sources. The diffuser unit includes diffuser elements having fixed positions with respect to the diffuser unit, where the mounting unit facilitates adjusting a position of the diffuser unit within the optical path of the group of co-aligned laser sources, and where the diffuser elements alter angular beam widths of emitted light from respective ones of the group of co-aligned laser sources according to a function of the position of the diffuser unit within the optical path of the group of co-aligned laser sources.