Reflective Beam Expander for Aberration-Free Diameter Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adapting the diameter of a photon beam in optical systems, particularly in lens and reflective systems, is challenging due to the need for precise adjustments and the introduction of aberrations, which complicates the process and affects optical quality.
Innovation Solution
A system using reflective elements with curved surfaces, such as elliptical or parabolic mirrors, focuses the photon beam into and out of predefined foci without active adjustment, ensuring optical quality by avoiding aberrations and allowing for adjustable numerical aperture and angle of incidence to change the beam diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lens system is used to adapt the diameter of a photon beam, then the beam diameter can be adjusted, but optical aberrations are introduced and complex adjustments are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the lens-based optical system with a reflective system using curved mirrors. This substitution eliminates chromatic aberrations inherent in lens systems while maintaining the ability to adapt beam diameter through geometric reflection properties of the curved surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved reflective surfaces (spherical or elliptical mirrors) to focus and redirect the photon beam. The curvature of these surfaces enables precise control of beam diameter adaptation through reflection geometry, avoiding the aberrations associated with refractive lens systems.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a reflective optical system is used to adapt the beam diameter, then chromatic aberrations are avoided, but complex beam path deflections are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single curved reflective element. The same curved mirror surface that focuses the beam also performs the diameter adaptation through its geometric properties, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and complex beam path deflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved reflective element serves multiple purposes: it focuses the photon beam, adapts the beam diameter, and maintains optical quality simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity of the optical system compared to traditional reflective magnification systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional optical systems are used, then beam diameter can be adapted, but precise adjustment of optical elements is required
Solution Approach 1:
The curved reflective system inherently performs beam diameter adaptation through its fixed geometric properties. The system is designed to automatically focus and size the beam according to the mirror's curvature, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of optical elements during operation.
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 system simplifies beam diameter adaptation by eliminating the need for complex adjustments and aberration correction, maintaining optical quality over a wide wavelength range, and enabling beam expansion or reduction without chromatic aberrations.
Implementation Method 1
the photon beam is focused into the first focus, so that the photon beam is focused onto the second focus after reflection at the surface of the first element
Data Source
AI summary
A system (100, 300) for adapting a diameter of a photon beam (S′, S″) comprises: a first element (1) with a curved surface which bas a first and a second focus (F1, F2). The system may be set up such that the photon beam is focused into the first focus (F1), so that the photon beam is focused onto the second focus (F2) after reflection at the surface of the first element (1).