Optical Processing Device Wavelength Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical processing devices lack sufficient wavelength resolution, necessitating an improvement in this aspect.
Innovation Solution
An optical processing device comprising a beam emission portion with optical fibers, a dispersion element, a condenser lens, an optical path conversion system with mirror elements and intermediate mirrors, and an optical path length adjustment portion with a refractive index higher than air, which adjusts the optical path length and focuses the beam at a specific reflection point to enhance wavelength resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional optical processing device uses a simple optical path conversion system, then the device complexity is low, but the wavelength resolution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path conversion system is segmented into multiple functional components: a condenser lens for focusing, multiple mirror elements for optical path conversion, and an optical path length adjustment portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving wavelength resolution while managing overall system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate mirror is introduced as a mediator component between the mirror elements and the optical fibers. This intermediate mirror facilitates precise optical path conversion and enables the beam to be incident on optical fibers at the correct position, thereby improving wavelength resolution without requiring direct complex positioning between mirror elements and fibers.
2Measurement precision
If the optical path length is not adjusted, then the device complexity is low, but the beam focus position is inaccurate, reducing wavelength resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path length adjustment function is extracted as a separate, dedicated component (the optical path length adjustment portion) with refractive index higher than air. This extraction allows for precise control of the beam focus position independent of other optical components, improving wavelength resolution while isolating the complexity to a single adjustable element.
3Measurement precision
If the beam is not focused at the reflection point, then the optical system is simpler, but the wavelength resolution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser lens is positioned and configured to preliminarily focus the beam at the first reflection point before the beam undergoes optical path conversion by the mirror elements. This preliminary focusing action ensures that the beam is already concentrated at the critical reflection point, improving wavelength resolution while maintaining a relatively simple optical system configuration.
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 improves wavelength resolution by focusing the beam at the first reflection point, reducing reflection loss and increasing precision in beam division by wavelength, thereby enhancing the device's ability to selectively direct beams to different optical fibers based on wavelength.
Implementation Method 1
a dispersion element which disperses a beam emitted from one optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers
Implementation Method 2
a condenser lens which focuses the beam passing through the dispersion element... the condenser lens forms a focus of the beam at the first refection point
Implementation Method 3
the optical path conversion optical system includes a mirror element which reflects the beam at a first reflection point... the mirror element reflects the beam reflected from the intermediate mirror at a second reflection point
Implementation Method 4
the optical path length adjustment portion has a refractive index higher than that of air, and the beam is able to be transmitted therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus is provided for processing an optical beam. The method includes spatially dispersing an optical beam received from an optical port into a plurality of wavelength components. The wavelength components are focused and at least one of the components is selectively directed to one of the optical ports by reflecting the focused wavelength component at least twice from a DMD before being directed to a selected one of the optical ports. A resolution of the focused wavelength component is optimized when it is reflected from the DMD a first or second time at the expense of the other time when it is reflected.