Sealed Laser Light Source Unit for Spatial Beam Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser light source units face challenges in maintaining high reliability and efficiency for spatial beam combining due to dust attraction and physical interference issues, leading to reduced light output over time.
Innovation Solution
A light source unit with a sealed semiconductor laser package, including a first lens structure to create an image of the emitter region and a second lens structure to convert the laser light into a collimated or converged beam, allowing for reduced focal length and beam size, thereby enhancing reliability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional laser light source unit is used, then the structure is simple, but dust attraction occurs and physical interference issues arise leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into separate functional modules: a laser diode module with sealed package, a first lens structure for imaging, and a second lens structure for beam shaping. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while reducing dust attraction and physical interference issues
Solution Approach 2:
The laser diode is packaged in a sealed package that contains the emitter region, and this package is integrated with the lens structures. The nested configuration protects internal components from dust while maintaining compact dimensions, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity
2Volume of moving object
If the focal length is reduced, then the beam size is reduced and coupling to optical fibers is improved, but the lens structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first lens structure and second lens structure are integrated into a unified optical system where the image plane of the first lens coincides with the object plane of the second lens. This merging allows reduced focal length and compact beam size while maintaining optical performance without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is designed with specific focal length parameters that optimize beam size for fiber coupling. By carefully selecting and adjusting the focal length parameters of the lens structures, the system achieves compact beam dimensions while avoiding overly complex lens designs
3Productivity
If the light output is increased, then the efficiency of spatial beam combining is improved, but dust attraction increases leading to reduced long-term reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A sealed package is provided that creates a protected environment around the laser diode emitter region. This sealing prevents dust particles from being attracted to high-intensity light areas, thereby maintaining high light output over the long term without the reliability degradation that would otherwise occur from dust accumulation
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 solution enables reliable long-term operation with reduced beam size and increased light output, facilitating effective spatial beam combining and efficient coupling to optical fibers.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens structure configured to receive the laser light transmitted through the window member and create an image of the emitter region on an image plane
Implementation Method 2
a second lens structure configured to convert the laser light having passed through the image plane into a collimated or converged beam
Data Source
AI summary
A light source unit includes: a sealed semiconductor laser package including a laser diode that includes an emitter region from which laser light is emitted, the emitter region located at a surface of the laser diode, and a window member configured to transmit the laser light; a first lens structure configured to receive the laser light transmitted through the window member and create an image of the emitter region on an image plane; and a second lens structure configured to convert the laser light having passed through the image plane into a collimated or converged beam, and to emit the collimated or converged beam.