Rotatable Powell Lens for Diode-Laser Line Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser line projectors face challenges in maintaining uniformity of light intensity along the projected line due to variations in diode-laser beam sizes, requiring costly and time-consuming adjustments of optical elements or reconfiguration of Powell lenses to accommodate different diode-lasers.
Innovation Solution
A diode laser line projector device with an elongated housing featuring rotatable sections, allowing the acylindrical lens to be adjusted relative to the diode laser's fast and slow axes to achieve optimal intensity uniformity, measured and locked for a fixed position, thereby accommodating a range of diode-lasers without extensive reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the Powell lens is designed for a particular laser-beam size, then the uniformity of illumination is optimized, but the device cannot accommodate diode-lasers with different beam sizes without reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rotatable sections that allow dynamic adjustment of the Powell lens orientation relative to the diode-laser beam axes. This enables the system to adapt to different beam sizes and characteristics by rotating the lens to optimal angles, rather than being fixed for a specific beam size. The rotatable mechanism provides flexibility to accommodate various diode-laser configurations while maintaining illumination uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientational parameters of the Powell lens by introducing rotatable sections that can be adjusted to different angular positions. This parameter adjustment allows the same lens to be optimized for different beam sizes incident on it, resolving the contradiction between fixed design optimization and adaptability to different laser configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional optical elements or reconfiguration of Powell lenses is used to accommodate different diode-lasers, then compatibility with different diode-lasers is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable sections create a universal mounting arrangement that can accommodate multiple types of diode-lasers with different beam characteristics using the same Powell lens. The system becomes multi-functional by allowing a single optical arrangement to serve different laser configurations through rotational adjustment, eliminating the need for multiple specialized optical elements for different laser types.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing rotatable sections, the system gains dynamic adaptability without adding complex optical elements. The mechanical rotation capability allows the same optical path to be reconfigured for different diode-lasers, reducing overall device complexity compared to using multiple fixed optical arrangements or additional beam-shaping elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the Powell lens is reconfigured to match particular diode-laser beam characteristics, then compatibility with specific diode-lasers is improved, but the time and cost for adjustment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable sections are pre-configured in the optical assembly, allowing quick adjustment to different angular positions without requiring reconfiguration of the Powell lens itself. This preliminary preparation of the mounting structure enables rapid adaptation to different diode-laser beam characteristics, significantly reducing adjustment time compared to manual lens reconfiguration.
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 method ensures consistent and uniform light intensity across the projected line, reducing the need for costly adjustments and reconfiguration, while allowing for a wide range of diode-lasers to be used within a single projector design, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The Powell lens spreads the laser beam in the first-axis of the lens such that the power in the beam is spread linearly as a function of spread-angle (fan angle) to provide a uniform or 'flat-top' illumination along the spread beam.
Implementation Method 2
The Powell lens itself is characterized in having a first axis in which acylindrical surface has optical power
Implementation Method 3
The positive lens typically configured and positioned to create a focus in the second axis to provide a uniform line of light at about the focus position, i.e., within the focal depth.
Data Source
AI summary
In a line projector a diode-laser beam having an elliptical cross-section is projected onto a Powell lens which spreads the beam to form a line of light. Distribution of power along the line of light is adjusted by rotating the diode-laser beam with respect to the Powell lens.