Polarization-Combining Module With Pedestal Protrusion Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polarization-combining optical systems face challenges in maintaining optical axis stability and minimizing optical loss due to difficulties in fixing and maintaining the parallelism of thin wavelength plates with polarizing beam splitters, leading to increased system size and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A polarization-combining module with a pedestal member featuring a protrusion part that separates and maintains the parallelism of a wavelength plate and a polarizing beam splitter, allowing for precise mounting and reduced optical loss by ensuring accurate alignment and angle determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a thin wavelength plate is used for polarization rotation, then the size of the optical modulation module is reduced, but it becomes difficult to fix the wavelength plate at a desired angle and maintain parallelism with the PBS
Solution Approach 1:
A mounting structure with positioning protrusions and recesses is introduced as an intermediary between the thin wavelength plate and the PBS. This mediator provides mechanical support and precise alignment, enabling the thin wavelength plate to be fixed at the desired angle while maintaining parallelism with the PBS, thus resolving the contradiction between size reduction and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure changes the physical parameters of the system by providing fixed angular relationships and precise positioning features. The positioning protrusions and recesses establish specific geometric parameters that ensure the wavelength plate is mounted at the correct angle and maintains parallelism with the PBS, overcoming the limitations of using a thin wavelength plate alone.
2Device complexity
If the wavelength plate is bonded to the PBS using adhesive, then integration is achieved, but adhesive surface tension causes difficulty in maintaining parallelism and may enter other optical paths causing loss
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure with positioning protrusions and recesses serves as an intermediary that replaces direct adhesive bonding between the wavelength plate and PBS. This mediator provides mechanical alignment and maintains parallelism without relying on adhesive surface tension, preventing adhesive from entering other optical paths while achieving integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic adhesive bonding interface is extracted and replaced with a mechanical positioning system. The mounting structure separates the functions of alignment and fixation from the adhesive, using geometric constraints (protrusions and recesses) to maintain parallelism, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of adhesive surface tension.
3Ease of operation
If a separate reflecting mirror is used with the PBS, then light wave input is achieved, but the optical axis stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure merges the positioning of the wavelength plate and PBS into a single integrated assembly. The positioning protrusions and recesses create fixed geometric relationships between components, ensuring optical axis stability while maintaining the light wave input capability through proper alignment of the optical paths.
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 effectively suppresses optical axis deviation and achieves efficient polarization-combining with reduced optical loss, enhancing the stability and efficiency of the polarization-combining process.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization rotation element which is provided on an optical path of at least one of the two linearly polarized lights which are input to the light-combining element, and provides polarization rotation by a predetermined angle to the linearly polarized light that passes therethrough
Implementation Method 2
polarization-combining is performed in the relationship that the planes of polarization are orthogonal to each other, and the polarization-combined light is output
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a polarization-combining module in which it is possible to suppress deviation of an optical axis in a polarization-combining optical system and to perform efficient polarization combination with a less optical loss.A polarization-combining module includes: a PBS 4 which combines two linearly polarized lights input and emits the combined light; a λ/2 wavelength plate 3 which is provided on an optical path of at least one of the two linearly polarized lights which are input to the PBS 4, and provides polarization rotation by a predetermined angle to the linearly polarized light that passes therethrough; and a pedestal member 10 on which the λ/2 wavelength plate 3 and the PBS 4 are mounted, in which the pedestal member 10 has a protrusion part 12 which defines mounting positions of the λ/2 wavelength plate 3 and the PBS 4 so as to be separated from each other and be parallel to each other, and the λ/2 wavelength plate 3 and the PBS 4 are mounted on the pedestal member 10 with apart of each of the λ/2 wavelength plate 3 and the PBS 4 being brought into contact with the protrusion part 12.