Optical Layer System with Dual Stacks for Position Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The production of optical layer systems for position measuring devices is technologically intensive and requires high quality standards to achieve accurate position measurements, necessitating a solution that can meet various requirements with minimal effort.
Innovation Solution
An optical layer system with three functional surfaces - an anti-reflective layer, a mirror, and an optical grating - is implemented using only two layer stacks, allowing for periodic alternation of these stacks at intervals less than 1 mm, enabling diffraction effects and various optical functions like diffractive lenses, while simplifying the production process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple different layer stacks are used to create different functional surfaces (anti-reflective, mirror, optical grating), then the optical quality and measurement precision are improved, but the production complexity and manufacturing effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A single transparent substrate is designed to perform multiple optical functions simultaneously by integrating different functional surfaces (anti-reflective coating, mirror, optical grating) on its opposite sides, eliminating the need for multiple separate optical components and reducing production complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional surfaces that would traditionally require separate components are merged into a single integrated substrate, combining anti-reflective, reflective, and diffractive functions in one element to simplify the overall device structure and manufacturing process
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different layer stacks are used to create different functional surfaces, then various optical functions are achieved, but the number of production steps and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent substrate serves as a universal platform that can be configured with different functional surfaces to achieve various optical functions (anti-reflective, mirror, optical grating) depending on the measurement application requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is divided into different functional surfaces with specific optical properties, allowing each surface to be optimized for its particular function while being produced as an integrated component, reducing the need for separate assembly steps
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 production complexity while achieving high diffraction efficiency and accurate position measurements, meeting the diverse requirements of position measuring devices with improved optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
In conjunction with the light used in the position measuring device, the optical grating causes diffraction effects. These diffraction effects lead to the splitting of the incident light into different diffraction orders, each exhibiting different directions and intensities.
Implementation Method 2
Antireflective coatings, in turn, consist of layers of different optical density that absorb scattered light.
Implementation Method 3
The third functional surface consists entirely of the second layer stack and acts as a mirror.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An optical layer system for a position measuring device is disclosed, with which at least one first, second, and third functional surface (1, 2, 3), each with a different optical function, can be provided on the surface of a transparent substrate (S). These functional surfaces (1, 2, 3) are composed of a first layer stack (A) and a second layer stack (B). The first functional surface (1) consists entirely of the first layer stack (A) and acts as an antireflective layer, while the third functional surface (3) consists entirely of the second layer stack (B) and acts as a mirror. The second functional surface (2) acts as an optical grating, with the two layer stacks (A, B) arranged in a periodically alternating pattern.