Polarization Optical System With Rotated-Beam Recombination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polarization filters cause significant loss of power in transmitted radiation due to blocking orthogonal polarization components, reducing downstream radiation intensity.

Innovation Solution

A polarizer system that splits input radiation into orthogonal polarization components, rotates one component to align with the other, and combines them using a beam combiner to maintain power and alignment, employing elements like half-wavelength plates and folding mirrors to minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a linear polarization filter is used to polarize EM radiation, then the desired linear polarization orientation is achieved, but radiation power is greatly reduced due to blocking orthogonal components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolarization purityVSAvoidradiation power

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the input radiation into two separate paths based on polarization orientation. A polarization beam splitter divides the radiation into first and second beam portions with orthogonal polarizations, allowing each component to be processed independently rather than blocking one component entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A polarization rotator acts as an intermediary element in the second path, rotating the polarization of the second beam portion to align with the first beam portion before recombination. This mediator enables the orthogonal component to be converted into a useful component rather than being discarded

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If polarization beam splitter and combiner are used to maintain power, then radiation power is preserved, but interference patterns and speckles may occur due to beam interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation powerVSAvoidinterference patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces spatial separation by directing the first and second beam portions along different paths before recombination. The polarization rotator and beam combiner are positioned to maintain spatial distinction between beams, reducing coherent interference while preserving power through constructive combination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 effectively directs nearly all input radiation intensity into an output beam with a defined polarization orientation, maintaining or enhancing power and reducing interference patterns.

Implementation Method 1

at least one polarization beam splitter positioned to receive an input radiation beam and to split the input radiation beam directing a first beam portion having a first linear polarization orientation along a first path and a second beam portion having a second linear polarization orientation orthogonal to said first linear polarization orientation along a second path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

a polarization rotator located along said second path and configured to rotate the polarization of said second beam portion to be parallel to said first linear polarization orientation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBirefringence: Birefringence

Implementation Method 3

a beam combiner configured and positioned to combine said first and second beam portions to form a common beam having said first linear polarization orientation propagating along a selected optical path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS12436401B2Polarization optical system

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 APPL MATERIALS ISRAEL LTD

AI summary

A polarizer system is described. The polarizer system comprises at least one polarization beam splitter, a polarization rotator, and a beam combiner. The at least one polarization beam splitter is positioned to receive input radiation beam and to split the input radiation beam directing a first beam portion having a first linear polarization orientation along a first path and a second beam portion having a second linear polarization orientation orthogonal to said first linear polarization orientation along a second path. The polarization rotator is located along said second path and configured to rotate polarization of said beam portion to be parallel to said first linear polarization orientation. The beam combiner is configured and positioned to combine said first and second beam portions to form a common beam having said first linear polarization orientation propagating along a selected optical path.