Spatial Beam Combining Optics for a Common Laser Image Plane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser module packages face challenges in spatially combining multi-mode optical beams to achieve a common image plane with high coupling efficiency, as they often result in varying beam cross-sections and diffraction-induced spreading, which complicates efficient coupling into small target apertures.
Innovation Solution
The system employs optical elements such as prisms, lenses, and reflectors to align and converge multiple laser diode modules' beams, ensuring they share a common image plane with minimal diffraction, using relay imaging to maintain beam size and alignment, and compensating for optical path length differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple laser diode modules are spatially separated and generate beams at angles, then beam combining capability is improved, but beam alignment precision and common image plane formation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multi-faceted optical element as an intermediary component that receives beams from spatially separated laser diode modules and redirects them to a common image plane. This mediator enables beam combining while maintaining alignment precision by providing a centralized optical processing interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs relay imaging techniques that dynamically adjust optical parameters (magnification, image plane position) to compensate for variations in beam angles and positions. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system maintains a common image plane despite spatial separation of the laser modules.
2Productivity
If optical elements are used to converge beams, then beam coupling efficiency into small apertures is improved, but optical path length differences and diffraction effects worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary optical conditioning through relay imaging before final beam convergence. This preliminary action establishes a common image plane and equalizes optical path lengths early in the beam path, reducing subsequent diffraction effects and improving coupling efficiency into small apertures.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay imaging system creates intermediate copies of the beam images at a common plane, allowing all beams to be re-imaged with identical optical path lengths. This copying approach eliminates diffraction-induced spreading by ensuring all beams travel equal distances from the optical element to the target aperture.
3Stability of the object's composition
If relay imaging is used to maintain beam size and alignment, then beam uniformity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-faceted optical element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a beam combiner, an image relay system, and a path length equalizer. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the patent achieves beam uniformity while minimizing the increase in system complexity.
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 enables high-brightness spatial beam combining, producing a closely packed array of beams with a common image plane, minimizing diffraction effects and ensuring efficient coupling into small apertures.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element having at least one entrance surface and at least one exit surface. The optical element is configured to receive the optical beams at the at least one entrance surface and output each optical beam through the at least one exit surface
Implementation Method 2
multiple first lenses arranged at angles relative to each other, each first lens configured to receive and focus one of the optical beams
Implementation Method 3
a second lens configured to receive the optical beams from the first lenses and output the optical beams such that the optical beams are closely spaced, substantially the same size, and substantially parallel to each other when exiting the second lens
Implementation Method 4
a reflector having multiple reflective facets, the reflector configured to receive and reflect each of the optical beams at a corresponding one of the reflective facets
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes multiple laser diode modules that are spatially separated and configured to generate multiple optical beams that propagate at angles relative to each other. The system also includes multiple first lenses arranged at angles relative to each other, each first lens configured to receive and focus one of the optical beams. The system further includes a second lens configured to receive the optical beams from the first lenses and output the optical beams such that the optical beams are closely spaced, substantially the same size, and substantially parallel to each other when exiting the second lens, and the optical beams all share a common downstream image plane.