Spatial Light Modulator Layout for Flexible Laser Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser beam forming apparatuses are often bulky, lack flexibility, and have limited control over the laser beam's phase, intensity, and polarization distributions, making it difficult to adapt to different processing strategies and compensate for errors in the beam source and path.
Innovation Solution
A compact apparatus featuring a controllable spatial light modulator with a control device that splits the display plane into multiple regions, allowing for independent beam influencing structures, enabling flexible control of the laser beam's phase, intensity, and polarization, and incorporating a beam guiding optical unit to interact the laser beam with multiple display regions for precise shaping and correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate optical devices are used to influence the laser beam (phase, intensity, polarization), then the beam can be precisely controlled, but the apparatus becomes bulky and structurally complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple beam influencing structures (phase modulator, amplitude modulator, polarization modulator) into a single spatial light modulator device. The display plane is divided into multiple display regions, each representing a different beam influencing structure, allowing all functions to be integrated in one compact device rather than requiring separate optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial light modulator serves multiple functions simultaneously by dividing its display plane into different regions that can independently perform phase modulation, amplitude modulation, and polarization modulation. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise beam control.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional laser beam forming apparatuses are used, then structural stability is maintained, but the apparatus lacks flexibility and adaptability for different processing strategies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control by allowing the spatial light modulator to be reconfigured through software control. Different beam influencing structures can be programmed into the display regions as needed, enabling the apparatus to adapt to different processing strategies without physical reconfiguration. This digital programmability provides flexibility while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables parameter changes by controlling the properties of the spatial light modulator through electrical signals. By modifying the control parameters sent to different display regions, the beam influencing structures can be dynamically adjusted to change phase, amplitude, and polarization characteristics, providing adaptability for various processing requirements without altering the physical apparatus structure.
3Device complexity
If a single spatial light modulator is used for multiple beam influencing functions, then the apparatus becomes compact, but control precision for each function may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display plane of the spatial light modulator into multiple independent display regions, with each region dedicated to a specific beam influencing function (phase, amplitude, or polarization). This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while sharing the same physical device, thereby maintaining high precision for each beam influencing task within a compact integrated structure.
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 solution allows for efficient, flexible, and compact formation of laser beams, enabling digital tool changes and error compensation, resulting in high-quality beam shaping and processing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A controllable spatial light modulator, in particular a liquid crystal display, is used to influence the laser beam in two dimensions
Implementation Method 2
a phase distribution and/or an intensity distribution in a cross-sectional plane of the laser beam can be changed
Implementation Method 3
it is also possible for a polarization of the laser beam to be changed between the first display region and the second display region
Implementation Method 4
The beam guiding optical unit is configured to cause the laser beam to interact along the direction of propagation thereof—for example as viewed from a laser beam source of the laser beam or an upstream display region—firstly with the first display region and then with the second display region
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for forming a laser beam can include a controllable spatial light modulator, a control device for controlling the light modulator, and a beam guiding optical unit, wherein the control device is configured to split a display plane of the light modulator into a plurality of display regions and to represent a first beam influencing structure in at least one first display region of the plurality of display regions and a second beam influencing structure in a second display region of the plurality of display regions, wherein the beam guiding optical unit is configured to cause the laser beam to interact along the direction of propagation thereof firstly with the first display region and then with the second display region.