Optical Module With Polarization Beam Splitter and Reflective SLMs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems with multiple spatial light modulators (SLMs) face challenges in miniaturization due to higher optical loss in transmissive SLMs and complexity in configuring reflective SLMs, which complicates the miniaturization of optical modules, observation apparatuses, and light irradiation systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of a polarization beam splitter with nonreciprocal polarization elements to input and reflect light in a normal direction to reflective SLMs, simplifying the optical system configuration and maintaining high light use efficiency by arranging SLMs around the polarization beam splitter, allowing for orthogonal light axes and reducing aberrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If transmissive SLM is used to simplify configuration and miniaturize optical system, then device complexity is reduced, but optical loss increases and light intensity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reflective SLMs in a folded optical path configuration, merging their functions into a compact arrangement that achieves miniaturization without using transmissive SLMs. The optical path is folded back on itself, allowing multiple SLMs to be arranged in a small space while maintaining reflective architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear optical path to a three-dimensional folded configuration, arranging SLMs in multiple spatial dimensions around a central beam splitter. This dimensional change allows compact arrangement while maintaining normal incidence geometry and reflective SLM architecture.
2Reliability
If reflective SLMs are arranged with inclined light input to achieve proper modulation, then modulation function is maintained, but optical system configuration becomes complicated and miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inclining the light input to match the SLM surface (conventional approach), the patent inverts the geometry by arranging the SLMs to face each other in a folded configuration where light travels normally to each SLM surface. The beam splitter is positioned at 45 degrees to redirect the optical path, effectively inverting the conventional inclination requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary component that mediates between the optical path and the SLMs. The beam splitter redirects light at 45-degree angles, allowing SLMs to be arranged in a folded configuration while maintaining normal incidence geometry, thus simplifying the overall system configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple SLMs are arranged optically in series for laser processing and illumination, then functional versatility is improved, but optical loss increases as number of SLMs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reflective SLMs in a folded optical path configuration, merging their functions into a compact arrangement that achieves miniaturization without using transmissive SLMs. The optical path is folded back on itself, allowing multiple SLMs to be arranged in a small space while maintaining reflective architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the optical system by using a folded configuration with specific angles (45-degree beam splitter, normal incidence to SLMs). This parameter change optimizes the light path to minimize losses while accommodating multiple SLMs in series for various laser processing and illumination functions.
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 configuration enables the miniaturization of optical systems while maintaining high light use efficiency and facilitating the connection to other optical systems, reducing the complexity and size of the overall optical setup.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization beam splitter including a light splitting surface for reflecting an s-polarization component and transmitting a p-polarization component
Implementation Method 2
a first polarization element having nonreciprocal optical activity, and for rotating a polarization plane of the input light transmitted through the light splitting surface
Data Source
AI summary
An optical module (1A) includes a polarization beam splitter (10) that receives input light (L1) including a p-polarization component using a light splitting surface (11), a first polarization element (20) that rotates a polarization plane of the input light (L1) transmitted through the light splitting surface (11), a first reflective SLM (30) that modulates the input light (L1) to generate first modulation light (L2), a second polarization element (40) that rotates a polarization plane of the first modulation light (L2) passing through the first polarization element (20) again and reflected by the light splitting surface (11), and a second reflective SLM (50) that modulates the first modulation light (L2) to generate second modulation light (L3). The second modulation light (L3) passes through the second polarization element (40) again, is transmitted through the light splitting surface (11), and then is output.