Optical Element Deterioration Detection by Beam Shift Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser devices struggle to accurately determine the deterioration of individual optical elements, leading to premature replacement and increased maintenance costs due to the inability to assess the actual condition of these components.
Innovation Solution
A laser device equipped with a movement mechanism to shift optical elements like the beam splitter, allowing for the acquisition and comparison of beam measurement data before and after movement, enabling precise deterioration assessment based on parameters such as beam width, cross-sectional area, and center differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical elements are replaced based on predetermined usage periods or shot counts, then maintenance scheduling is simplified, but replacements occur prematurely and maintenance costs increase due to inability to assess actual deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element performs self-diagnosis by measuring its own beam characteristics and comparing them against reference values. The deterioration determination unit automatically detects when the optical element has actually deteriorated, eliminating the need for predetermined replacement schedules and enabling cost-effective maintenance only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/time-based replacement system with an optical measurement and evaluation system. Instead of replacing optical elements based on usage time or shot count, the system uses beam width, beam position, and other optical characteristics to determine actual deterioration, substituting physical replacement triggers with optical detection triggers.
2Reliability
If optical elements are replaced frequently to ensure performance, then system reliability is maintained, but resource waste and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors beam characteristics (width, position, intensity) and provides feedback to the deterioration determination unit. This feedback loop enables real-time assessment of optical element condition, allowing replacement only when actual deterioration affects system performance, thus maintaining reliability while avoiding premature replacement and resource waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes time-based or preventive replacement mechanisms with condition-based replacement triggered by optical measurement data. The system replaces optical elements based on actual measured deterioration rather than predetermined schedules, optimizing the balance between maintaining system reliability and preventing resource waste.
3Measurement precision
If beam measurement is performed continuously to detect deterioration accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beam measurement and deterioration determination are performed periodically at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic measurement approach maintains adequate deterioration detection accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption and system complexity compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs measurements at selective intervals that provide sufficient data for accurate deterioration determination without the excessive energy consumption of continuous measurement. The measurement frequency is optimized to achieve the necessary precision for detecting optical element deterioration while minimizing resource usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A laser device includes an optical element arranged on an optical path of laser light; a movement mechanism configured to move the optical element in a direction along a surface of the optical element on which the laser light is incident; a beam measurement device configured to measure the laser light via the optical element; and a processor configured to acquire first output data output from the beam measurement device when the laser light is radiated to a first portion of the optical element, move the optical element after acquiring the first output data by driving the movement mechanism, acquire second output data output from the beam measurement device after the movement when the laser light is radiated to a second portion of the optical element different from first the portion, and determine deterioration of the optical element based on the first output data and the second output data.