Reflective Optical Component for Gaussian Light Sheet Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser triangulation systems fail to produce a well-defined irradiance distribution for precise measurements due to the generation of cones of light that are either dot-patterned or radially off-centered, leading to inaccurate characterization of tubular structures and other closed forms.
Innovation Solution
An optical component that transforms a Gaussian light beam into a light sheet by using reflective surfaces with specific 2D profiles, designed through methods like Generic Ray Tracing or optimization processes, to distribute optical power according to a Gaussian irradiance distribution, resulting in a continuous annulus or cone-shaped output light sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional laser triangulation systems use scanning mirrors or diffractive elements to generate light cones, then illumination patterns can be produced, but the irradiance distribution becomes dot-patterned or off-centered, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning mirrors with a static optical component featuring specifically shaped reflective surfaces. This substitution eliminates moving parts while achieving the desired light sheet transformation, thereby improving measurement precision without sacrificing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the irradiance distribution parameter by designing reflective surfaces with specific 2D profiles that convert a Gaussian beam into a light sheet with uniform or tailored irradiance distribution. This parameter transformation enables precise measurements while avoiding the dot-pattern problems of conventional approaches
2Illumination intensity
If diffractive optical elements are used to approximate an illumination cone, then light distribution is achieved, but a dot pattern is produced instead of a continuous ring-like pattern, degrading illumination quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces diffractive optical elements with a reflective optical component that uses geometric reflection rather than diffraction to create the illumination pattern. This substitution produces a continuous ring-like light pattern without the dot artifacts inherent to diffractive approaches, improving illumination quality while maintaining device simplicity
3Measurement precision
If axicons are used to generate illumination cones, then light coning is achieved, but the radial section becomes highly off-centered, making precise measurements difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the shape parameter of the light pattern by designing reflective surfaces with specific 2D profiles that transform the Gaussian beam into a centered light sheet. This shape transformation ensures the illumination pattern remains properly centered, enabling precise measurements while avoiding the off-centered problems of axicon-generated cones
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 optical component achieves a precise, annulus-shaped or cone-shaped output light sheet with a Gaussian irradiance distribution, enhancing the accuracy of measurements in applications like tubular structure inspection and 3D mapping of enclosed spaces.
Implementation Method 1
A first reflective surface extends around the central optical axis and across the input light path so as to reflect input light rays of the input light beam into transitional light rays defining a transitional light cone. A second reflective surface extends around the central optical axis and across a light path of the transitional light cone so as to reflect the transitional light rays outwardly into output light rays defining the output light sheet.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical component for transforming an input light beam having a Gaussian irradiance distribution into an output light sheet is provided. The optical component includes a first reflective surface extending around the central optical axis of the optical component and across an input light path of the input light beam, and reflects input light rays into transitional light rays defining a transitional light cone. A second reflective surface extends around the central optical axis and across a light path of the transitional light cone, reflecting the transitional light rays outwardly into output light rays defining the output light sheet. The first and second reflective surfaces are configured to distribute optical power within the output light sheet according to a Gaussian irradiance distribution transversally to the output light sheet. The output light sheet may be planar or conical.