Spatial Light Modulator Calibration via Lens Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for calibrating picture generating units, such as those used in holographic displays, are laborious and time-consuming, requiring individual alignment of multiple components to compensate for pointing errors, which limits production rates and is often performed on the manufacturing line.
Innovation Solution
Introducing an intentional offset of the first lens with respect to the propagation axis to compensate for all other pointing errors within the unit, allowing for faster and simpler calibration without affecting image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If individual alignment of multiple components is performed to compensate for pointing errors, then manufacturing precision is improved, but calibration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the calibration function from multiple individual component alignments and concentrates it into a single lens alignment operation. By taking out the essential calibration requirement and implementing it through one component (the lens) rather than multiple components, the calibration time is dramatically reduced while maintaining pointing error compensation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the lens serve multiple functions: it performs both its primary optical function and simultaneously serves as the calibration reference element. By aligning this single lens, the system achieves pointing error compensation that would otherwise require aligning multiple components, thus reducing calibration complexity and time.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual alignment of multiple components is performed to compensate for pointing errors, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the calibration function from a complex multi-component alignment process and implements it through a single lens alignment. This extraction simplifies the calibration process from managing multiple component alignments to managing one, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple calibration functions into a single lens alignment operation. Instead of separately aligning multiple components to achieve pointing error compensation, the alignment of one lens combines all necessary calibration functions, reducing the overall complexity of the calibration process.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional calibration methods are used on the manufacturing line, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but production rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the calibration operation from the traditional multi-step manufacturing line process and implements it as a single, rapid lens alignment step. This extraction enables calibration to be performed quickly without compromising accuracy, thereby increasing production rate while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the calibration parameter from multiple component alignment parameters to a single lens alignment parameter. This parameter reduction simplifies the calibration process, making it faster and more suitable for high-rate production while maintaining the required manufacturing precision.
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
This approach significantly reduces the complexity and time required for calibration, enabling higher production rates and allowing for calibration to be performed away from the manufacturing line, with minimal impact on image quality.
Implementation Method 1
A first portion of the propagation axis passes through a first lens of the picture generating unit
Data Source
AI summary
A method of calibrating a picture generating unit. The method includes displaying a pattern corresponding to a picture on a spatial light modulator. The method further includes propagating light along a propagation axis wherein the light illuminates the spatial light modulator so as to spatially modulate the light. A first portion of the propagation axis passes through a first lens of the picture generating unit. The method also includes changing the position of the first portion of the propagation axis with respect to an optical axis of the first lens. The first portion of the propagation axis is substantially parallel to the optical axis of the first lens.