Tunable Optical Phase Shifter With Fluid-Actuated Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical phase shifters for imaging systems lack a tunable, transmissive, and wide aperture medium, leading to complexity and inefficiency in adjusting optical path lengths, particularly in applications like optical coherence tomography and phase contrast microscopy.
Innovation Solution
A tunable optical phase shifter with a sheet having a rigid inner portion moveable along an optical axis, utilizing a non-conductive fluid and conductive fluid with interdigitated electrodes to adjust pressure and thus optical phase, allowing for precise control of optical path length through varying voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electro-optic modulators are used for optical phase shifting, then phase adjustment capability is achieved, but device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electro-optic modulators and fiber-optic modulators with a simple mechanical membrane structure that can be actuated by basic actuators (piezoelectric, thermal, or magnetic). This substitution maintains the optical phase shifting function while dramatically reducing device complexity and cost, as the membrane mechanism is fundamentally simpler than electronic modulation systems.
2Ease of operation
If fiber-optic based modulators are used, then optical phase control is achieved, but light loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the phase modulation function from the light path itself and places it in a separate mechanical membrane system. The membrane modulates the optical path length of adjacent light paths without requiring light to pass through complex modulating materials, thereby eliminating the light loss inherent in fiber-optic and liquid crystal modulators while preserving phase control capability.
3Ease of operation
If liquid crystal phase shifters are used, then optical phase adjustment is achieved, but response speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow liquid crystal molecular reorientation with fast mechanical membrane displacement. The membrane can be actuated by piezoelectric, thermal, or magnetic fields that produce rapid physical displacement, achieving response speeds orders of magnitude faster than liquid crystal phase shifters while maintaining the optical phase modulation function.
4Ease of operation
If mirror based systems are used for phase shifting, then optical path length modulation is achieved, but mechanical control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the phase modulation function directly into the optical path by using a membrane that light passes through, rather than using separate mirror-based systems. This integration eliminates the need for complex mechanical control systems required to precisely position and orient mirrors, while achieving the same optical path length modulation through simple membrane displacement.
5Ease of operation
If existing optical phase shifters are used in imaging systems, then phase shifting function is achieved, but system miniaturization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin flexible membrane as the core phase modulating element. This membrane structure is inherently compact and can be integrated into small imaging systems without requiring the bulky components of traditional phase shifters. The thin-film nature of the membrane enables system miniaturization while maintaining full optical phase shifting functionality.
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
Enables simple, precise, and cost-effective adjustment of optical phase, compatible with existing imaging tools, reducing system complexity and enhancing miniaturization.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid is provided on the second side of the sheet and is engageable with the rigid inner portion of the sheet for exerting a pressure thereon
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of interdigitated electrodes are operatively connectable to a voltage source. The voltage source supplies an adjustable voltage such that the pressure of the fluid against the rigid inner portion of the sheet varies in response to a magnitude of the voltage supplied to the plurality of interdigitated electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A optical phase shifter is provided for adjusting an optical phase of light propagating therethrough along an optical axis. The optical phase shifter includes first and second transparent slides defining a cavity therebetween. A sheet is received in the cavity and has first and second sides. The sheet includes a rigid inner portion alignable with the optical axis and is moveable along the optical axis between a first position and a second position. A tuning structure is operatively engageable with the rigid inner portion of the sheet to selectively move the rigid inner portion of the sheet along the optical axis so as to adjust the optical phase of light propagating through the optical phase shifter.