Irregular Optical Modulator Layout for Side Lobe Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser radar systems face issues with energy dispersion due to side lobes, leading to insufficient main lobe intensity and enlarged laser spots, which are typically addressed by increasing power or using plano convex lenses, but these methods cause heat dissipation issues or light intensity loss.
Innovation Solution
An optical modulator with irregularly arranged modulation unit blocks of varying sizes and shapes on a silicon substrate, utilizing materials like copper and lithium niobate, which alter phase and polarization, and are formed through low-temperature deep etching, to optimize light energy distribution and reduce side lobe energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the laser source power is enhanced to counter side lobe effects, then the main lobe energy is increased, but heat dissipation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful side lobes from the laser beam by using an optical modulator with specifically designed modulation units. The modulator suppresses side lobe energy through its periodic structure, effectively separating the main lobe from the unwanted side lobes and allowing the main lobe to be delivered to the target without the harmful thermal effects of increased total power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the optical modulator, specifically the period and depth of the modulation units, to optimize the suppression of side lobes. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective side lobe reduction while maintaining manageable heat levels, avoiding the need to simply increase the laser source power.
2Use of energy by moving object
If plano convex lenses are added to reduce beam divergence and concentrate the beam, then the light energy of the main lobe is increased, but light intensity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical modulator extracts and suppresses the side lobe components from the laser beam through its periodic modulation structure. By removing these harmful side lobes at the source, the system avoids the need for subsequent focusing lenses that would cause light intensity loss, thereby preserving overall beam quality and energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical modulator acts as an intermediary device between the laser source and the target. Instead of using a focusing lens that would introduce aberrations and energy loss, the modulator directly shapes the beam at the source, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for additional optical elements and their associated losses.
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 enhances main lobe energy while suppressing side lobes, facilitating controlled light emission and improving overall performance without increasing power or causing light loss.
Implementation Method 1
The modulation module comprises a plurality of modulation unit blocks arranged irregularly... used to change a phase and a polarization state of incident light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical modulator includes a substrate and a modulation module. The modulation module includes a plurality of modulation unit blocks on a surface of the substrate. The plurality of modulation unit blocks is spaced apart from each other and arranged irregularly. The modulation module is configured to change a phase and a polarization state of light. An optical device including the optical modulator is also provided.