Semiconductor Laser Array Heat Management via Circumferential Grating
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Solution Overview
Problem
When semiconductor laser elements are arranged close to each other, heat generated by one element affects adjacent elements, reducing light output, and increasing the distance between them decreases the number of elements that can be arranged, thus lowering the output of combined laser beams with different wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor laser device with a plurality of semiconductor laser elements emitting different wavelengths, collimator lenses, and reflective surfaces that guide and adjust the laser beams to a wavelength dispersion element, such as a diffraction grating, allowing for a larger number of elements to be arranged while minimizing heat influence, thereby increasing the output of combined beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If semiconductor laser elements are arranged close to each other, then the number of elements that can be arranged increases, but heat generated by one element affects adjacent elements, reducing light output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration by arranging laser elements along the circumference of a circle centered on the diffraction grating. This spatial reconfiguration allows elements to be positioned at optimized distances while maintaining a compact overall structure, thereby increasing the number of elements that can be effectively arranged without excessive heat interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning each semiconductor laser element at specific angular intervals around the diffraction grating. This allows each element to have an optimized local environment with appropriate spacing from neighboring elements, ensuring that heat influence is minimized while maximizing the number of elements that can be arranged in the system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the distance between adjacent semiconductor laser elements is increased, then heat influence is reduced, but the number of elements that can be arranged in the predetermined angle range decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by moving from a linear one-dimensional arrangement to a two-dimensional circumferential arrangement around the diffraction grating. This allows the system to increase the effective spacing between elements (reducing heat influence) while simultaneously maintaining a high number of elements by utilizing the angular dimension around the grating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the diffraction grating's angular position and orientation to optimize the arrangement of laser elements. By making the system adjustable, elements can be positioned at optimal distances while maintaining the predetermined angle range requirements, thus accommodating more elements with reduced heat interference.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the distance between adjacent semiconductor laser elements is increased, then heat influence is reduced, but the output of the emitted beam decreases due to fewer elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the total beam output despite larger element spacing by utilizing the circumferential arrangement around the diffraction grating. This two-dimensional configuration allows more elements to be incorporated into the system compared to a linear arrangement, thereby compensating for the reduced contribution per element and achieving higher total power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the beams from multiple semiconductor laser elements through the diffraction grating to create a combined beam with high total output. By combining the optical paths and using constructive interference, the system achieves synergistic power addition that compensates for the reduced individual element contribution due to increased spacing.
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 effectively increases the output of combined laser beams with different wavelengths by allowing a greater number of semiconductor laser elements to be arranged while reducing heat interference, enhancing processing quality.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength dispersion element on which the laser beams are incident at angles that are different from each other, the wavelength dispersion element changing traveling directions of the laser beams according to the wavelengths to generate a combined beam of the laser beams
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of lens portions which collimate the laser beams
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of first reflective surfaces which cause the laser beams to be incident on the wavelength dispersion element at the angles corresponding to the laser beams; and a plurality of second reflective surfaces which guide the laser beams to the plurality of first reflective surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor laser device includes: a plurality of semiconductor laser elements which emit laser beams with different wavelengths; a plurality of lens portions which collimate the laser beams; a wavelength dispersion element on which the laser beams are incident at different angles, and which changes the traveling directions of the incident laser beams according to the wavelengths to generate an emitted beam that is a combined beam of the laser beams; a plurality of first reflective surfaces which cause the laser beams to be incident on the wavelength dispersion element at the angles corresponding to the laser beams; and a plurality of second reflective surfaces which guide the laser beams to the plurality of first reflective surfaces.