Prism-Based Polarized UV Light Separation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating polarized UV light, particularly using second-harmonic generation (SHG) light, face challenges due to low conversion efficiency and high intensity of fundamental light, leading to incomplete separation and high costs associated with traditional spectral filters, especially in the deep UV wavelength range.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of two or more prisms to refract and separate SHG light from fundamental light, followed by a spatial filter to achieve high performance separation without costly materials, achieving up to 99.7% throughput and higher than OD8 attenuation of fundamental light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional spectral filters are used for UV light separation, then UV light transmission is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical spectral filters (thin film-based filters requiring specialized materials) with a prism-based optical system using total internal reflection and spatial filtering. This substitution eliminates the need for costly deep UV transmission materials while achieving comparable or superior separation performance through geometric optics and polarization effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spatial filter (aperture) to create a spatial copy of the light field, separating UV light based on its spatial distribution after prism refraction rather than relying on spectral filtering. This approach copies the spatial pattern of UV light and blocks fundamental light based on spatial position rather than wavelength, avoiding costly spectral filter materials.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional spectral filters are used for deep UV separation, then light separation is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light separation function into multiple components: a first prism for initial spatial separation, a spatial filter for blocking fundamental light, and a second prism for final UV light output. This segmentation replaces the monolithic complex thin film filter with simpler, modular optical elements that are easier to manufacture and align.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation parameter from spectral filtering (wavelength-based) to spatial filtering (position-based) through prism refraction. By changing how light is separated (from spectral to spatial domain), the system avoids the manufacturing complexity of deep UV spectral filters while maintaining effective separation through geometric optics.
3Productivity
If spectral filters with high UV transmission are used, then UV light throughput is improved, but rejection of fundamental light is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spatial filter (aperture) as an intermediary element between the prisms to block fundamental light. This spatial filter acts as a mediator that selectively transmits UV light (which is properly directed by the prisms) while blocking fundamental light (which is spatially separated), achieving both high UV throughput and effective fundamental light rejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the separation mechanism from the spectral dimension to the spatial dimension using prism refraction and spatial filtering. By separating light in space rather than spectrum, the system achieves both high UV transmission (UV light is transmitted in the correct spatial direction) and high fundamental light rejection (fundamental light is directed to a different spatial location and blocked by the aperture).
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 approach enables efficient extraction of desired SHG light with substantial spatial and spectral separation, reducing costs and improving separation efficiency compared to traditional methods, while maintaining high transmission and rejection ratios.
Implementation Method 1
passing polarized source light through a first prism, the polarized source light including second-harmonic generation (SHG) light and fundamental light, separating the SHG light from the fundamental light
Implementation Method 2
passing the separated SHG light through a second prism
Implementation Method 3
The SHG light passed through the second prism may then be further passed through a spatial filter in one or more examples to further reduce scattered stray light
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for separating polarized UV light. In one example, a method may include passing polarized source light through a first prism, the polarized source light including desired light and undesired light, separating the desired light from the fundamental light, and passing the separated desired light through a second prism. The separated desired light which is passed through the second prism may then be further passed through a spatial filter.