Rotating Reflector Beam Switch for Low Latency Fiber Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam switching systems in fiber lasers face latency issues due to the use of linear stages and require multiple moving components, which can increase complexity and reduce reliability.
Innovation Solution
A rotating reflector beam switch system that uses a motorized rotating stage with a single moving component and a reflector to steer the laser beam between multiple receiving fibers, reducing latency and complexity by eliminating the need for multiple moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If linear stages are used for beam switching, then the system can achieve beam direction control, but the switching latency increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the beam switching function into multiple fixed reflectors positioned at different angles, with only a single rotating component selecting among them. This segmentation eliminates the need for linear stage movement while maintaining beam control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the beam source linearly to change direction, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the source fixed and rotating a selector component that chooses among multiple fixed reflectors. This inversion transforms a linear motion problem into a rotational selection problem.
2Measurement precision
If multiple moving components are used for beam switching, then the system can achieve precise beam control, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple beam control functions into a single rotating component that selects among fixed reflectors. This consolidation reduces the number of moving parts from multiple linear stages to just one rotating element, simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotating component serves multiple functions: it acts as a selector switch, a positioning mechanism, and a synchronization element for all beam routing decisions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate moving components for each control task.
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 rotating reflector beam switch system achieves faster beam switching with reduced latency and increased reliability by using a single moving component, allowing for efficient and precise control of the laser beam between multiple receiving fibers.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector to steer the laser beam between multiple receiving fibers
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus may steer an optical beam provided by a collimating optical module to a selected one of receiving optical modules. The apparatus may comprise an optical component to receive the optical beam provided by the collimating optical module; and a motorized rotation stage including a base and a rotating section, wherein the rotating section is restricted to rotation, relative to the base, about a single axis; wherein the optical component is mounted to the rotating section, and the apparatus further includes circuitry to control the motorized rotation stage to rotate the platform or stage amongst different rotational positions that correspond to the receiving optical modules, respectively; and wherein the optical component guides (by reflection, refraction, or the like, or combinations thereof) the optical beam to the selected one of the receiving optical modules based on a current rotational position of the rotating section. Other embodiments may be disclosed/claimed.