Planar Diffractive Optical Element Lens Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diffractive optical element (DOE) lenses are highly sensitive to contamination and surface defects due to exposure in application and fabrication environments.
Innovation Solution
A planar DOE lens design featuring a substrate with a first layer of dielectric material and a diffractive optical element, encapsulated by a second layer of protective material like silicon dioxide, which reduces exposure to environmental factors and prevents contamination, maintaining focusing capability and increasing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the diffractive optical element is exposed in application and fabrication environments, then the lens can be fabricated and used, but the lens becomes highly sensitive to contamination and surface defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using thin film encapsulation layers (first and second encapsulation layers) that conformally coat the diffractive optical element. These thin film layers provide contamination protection while maintaining the compact structure and optical performance of the lens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures by combining the diffractive optical element with multiple encapsulation layers of different materials. The first encapsulation layer provides initial protection, while the second encapsulation layer provides additional environmental barrier, creating a composite protective structure that enhances reliability without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If protective layers are added to enclose the diffractive optical element, then contamination resistance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the first encapsulation layer before creating the diffractive optical element patterns, and then forming the second encapsulation layer after the DOE is fabricated. This sequential approach allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulation layers are applied with local quality considerations, where the thickness and material properties are optimized for specific regions. The conformal coating process ensures uniform protection across the lens surface while allowing different areas to have tailored protective characteristics based on their functional requirements.
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 dual-layer design enhances the robustness and reliability of the lens, reducing the likelihood of surface defects and contamination, while maintaining optical performance and allowing for integration in optical systems like gesture sensing devices with improved signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
Diffractive optical elements (DOEs) are thin phase elements that operate by means of interference and diffraction to produce arbitrary distributions of light
Implementation Method 2
Diffractive optical elements (DOEs) are thin phase elements that operate by means of interference and diffraction to produce arbitrary distributions of light
Implementation Method 3
The second layer encloses the diffractive optical element between the first layer and the second layer. The second layer includes a planar surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A planar diffractive optical element (DOE) lens is described herein. The planar DOE lens includes a substrate. The planar DOE lens further includes a first layer, the first layer being formed upon the substrate. The planar DOE lens further includes a diffractive optical element, the diffractive optical element being formed upon the first layer. The planar DOE lens further includes a second layer, the second layer being formed upon the first layer. The second layer is also formed over the diffractive optical element. The second layer encloses the diffractive optical element between the first layer and the second layer. The second layer includes a planar surface.