Rotating Microlens Illumination for Homogeneous Laser Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical illumination devices for laser equipment are large and costly due to the need for multiple components to disrupt laser light coherence and achieve homogeneous illumination, which complicates the optical path and increases size and expense.
Innovation Solution
An optical illumination device featuring a laser light source, rotating microlens arrays arranged in a spiral configuration, and a Fourier lens, which homogenizes and disrupts laser light coherence without a diffuser, simplifying the configuration and reducing size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a diffuser and relay lens are added to disrupt laser light coherence, then homogeneity of illumination is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the diffuser component from the optical path while maintaining coherence disruption functionality through the rotating microlens array alone, thereby simplifying the device structure without compromising illumination homogeneity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic rotation of the microlens array to achieve coherence disruption and homogeneity improvement, replacing the need for additional static optical components like diffusers and relay lenses
2Illumination intensity
If multiple optical components are used to achieve homogeneous illumination, then illumination quality is improved, but the optical path length and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of coherence disruption and illumination homogenization into a single rotating microlens array component, eliminating the need for separate diffuser and relay lens elements, thereby shortening the optical path length
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating microlens array dynamically performs multiple optical functions that would traditionally require multiple static components, reducing the overall optical path length and device size
3Stability of the object's composition
If a diffuser is inserted in the optical path to decrease interference influence, then homogeneity is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the diffuser component from the optical path while achieving the same homogeneity improvement effect through the rotating microlens array, thereby reducing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the static diffuser material-based coherence disruption mechanism with a dynamic mechanical rotation of microlens arrays, achieving similar homogeneity results with simpler and less expensive components
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 device achieves homogeneous illumination with reduced interference and diffraction, enabling smaller, more cost-effective designs while maintaining stable optical characteristics for improved analysis accuracy in applications like laser microscopes.
Implementation Method 1
A microlens array is configured to rotate around an axis which is perpendicular to the microlens array. The moving mechanism causes the microlens array to rotate around the axis.
Implementation Method 2
one or more microlens arrays through which light emitted from the laser light source passes; a Fourier lens through which light passing through the microlens array passes
Implementation Method 3
a Fourier lens through which light passing through the microlens array passes. The plurality of microlens arrays and the Fourier lens constitute a Koehler illumination system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An optical illumination device (10) includes: a laser light source (1); microlens arrays (2, 3) through which light emitted from the laser light source (1) passes; a moving mechanism (5) that moves the microlens arrays (2, 3) without changing an optical length from the laser light source (1); and a Fourier lens (4) through which light passing through the microlens arrays (2, 3) passes.