Optical Expander Bypass Element for Uniform Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical expander devices suffer from non-uniform spatial intensity distribution of output light, particularly at the most distant corner regions due to long optical paths and multiple diffractions, leading to reduced intensity compared to the center.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bypass element and augmenting regions in the out-coupling element to split input light into main and bypass routes, where auxiliary light from the bypass route compensates for uneven intensity distribution, ensuring a substantially even spatial intensity across the output light beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If light propagates through the waveguide plate from the in-coupling element to the out-coupling element, then the light beam is expanded and directed to the output, but the intensity of the output light decreases at the most distant corner regions due to long optical path and multiple diffractions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical path by introducing a bypass element that creates an alternative shorter path for light propagation. The waveguide plate is divided into a main optical path (through the expander element) and a bypass path, allowing light to reach different regions of the out-coupling element with more uniform intensity distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass element acts as an intermediary optical component that redirects light from the in-coupling element directly to the out-coupling element without passing through the full expansion path. This mediator element compensates for the intensity loss in corner regions by providing an additional light source from the bypass path.
2Area of stationary object
If the expander element diffracts light multiple times to expand the beam in two transverse directions, then the output light beam width is increased, but the intensity is substantially reduced at corner regions due to consecutive diffractions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diffraction process by separating the main expansion path from a bypass path. The bypass element provides an alternative route that avoids multiple consecutive diffractions, delivering light with higher intensity to corner regions where the main path suffers from cumulative diffraction losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters (path length, number of diffractions) by introducing the bypass element. This creates two distinct optical paths with different characteristics: the main path for beam expansion and the bypass path for intensity compensation, achieving more uniform overall intensity distribution.
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 uniform spatial intensity distribution by combining auxiliary light with the main output light, reducing intensity differences between the center and corner regions to less than 30%, thereby enhancing the overall output light quality.
Implementation Method 1
an in-coupling element (202) to form first guided light (B1) and second guided light (B2) by diffracting input light (IN1)
Implementation Method 2
an expander element (203) to form third guided light (B3) by diffracting the first guided light (B1)
Implementation Method 3
an out-coupling element (204) to form first output light (OB3) by diffracting the third guided light (B3)
Implementation Method 4
a bypass element (205) to form fourth guided light (B4) by diffracting the second guided light (B2)
Data Source
AI summary
A optical device includes a waveguide plate, which includes an in-coupling element to form first guided light (B1) and a second guided light (B2) by diffracting input light (IN1), an expander element to form third guided light (B3) by diffracting the first guided light (B1), an out-coupling element to form first output light (OB3) by diffracting the third guided light (B3), a bypass element to form fourth guided light (B4) by diffracting the second guided light (B2), wherein the first guided light (B1) propagates in a first direction, the second guided light (B2) propagates in a second direction, and the angle γ12 between the first direction) and the second direction is in the range of 60° to 120°, wherein the out-coupling element includes one or more augmenting regions.