Spatial Light Modulator Data Generation for Waveform Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for controlling the temporal intensity waveform and wavelength components of light using spatial light modulators (SLMs) face challenges in accurately generating desired modulation patterns, particularly for applications requiring precise control of optical pulses in devices like dispersion measurement devices, laser processing systems, and terahertz wave generators.

Innovation Solution

A data generation method involving multiple transform steps, including Fourier and inverse Fourier transforms, is employed to iteratively calculate and refine phase spectrum functions for generating preliminary data that can accurately control SLMs, ensuring the desired temporal intensity waveform and wavelength components are achieved.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If iterative Fourier transform method is used to calculate spectral phase and intensity, then temporal intensity waveform can be controlled, but accuracy of wavelength component control is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of temporal intensity waveform controlVSAvoidaccuracy of wavelength component control

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the spectral domain into multiple wavelength components and processes each independently through separate iterative Fourier transform calculations. This segmentation allows precise control of individual wavelength components while maintaining overall temporal intensity waveform accuracy, resolving the contradiction between waveform control accuracy and wavelength component control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of control by simultaneously optimizing both temporal domain (intensity waveform) and spectral domain (wavelength components) parameters. The iterative algorithm operates in a multi-dimensional parameter space, adjusting both temporal and spectral characteristics together, which enables accurate control of both waveform and wavelength components that cannot be achieved in single-domain approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple optical pulses with different wavelengths are generated, then applications to dispersion measurement and laser processing are enabled, but difficulty in obtaining accurate modulation pattern increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication capability to dispersion measurement and laser processingVSAvoiddifficulty in obtaining accurate modulation pattern

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism in the iterative Fourier transform algorithm where the calculated modulation pattern is used to generate optical pulses, and the results are fed back to refine the next iteration's calculation. This feedback loop continuously adjusts the spectral phase and intensity parameters, making the system self-correcting and enabling accurate modulation pattern generation for multi-wavelength pulse sequences required in dispersion measurement and laser processing applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary calculations by pre-computing the iterative Fourier transform sequences and generating candidate modulation patterns before final selection. This preliminary action allows the system to explore multiple possible modulation patterns in advance, making the final selection process more efficient and accurate, thereby reducing the difficulty of obtaining the correct modulation pattern for complex multi-pulse applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If iterative Fourier transform algorithm is applied repeatedly, then modulation pattern accuracy improves, but calculation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodulation pattern accuracyVSAvoidcalculation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial iterative Fourier transform operations, performing a limited number of iterations that provide sufficient accuracy for the application at hand rather than exhaustively iterating until perfect convergence. This partial action approach balances calculation time and accuracy by stopping the iterative process when the modulation pattern reaches adequate precision, avoiding unnecessary computational time while maintaining sufficient modulation pattern accuracy for practical applications in dispersion measurement and laser processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20240361620A1Data generation method, data generation program, and data generation device

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK

AI summary

A data generation method of the present disclosure is a method for generating data for controlling a spatial light modulator. The data generation method includes: preparing a plurality of initial phase spectrum functions; generating each of a plurality of pieces of preliminary data for controlling the spatial light modulator by using each of the plurality of initial phase spectrum functions; and selecting at least one of the plurality of pieces of preliminary data and setting the at least one piece of preliminary data as the data for controlling the spatial light modulator.