Spatial Optical Interleaver for Light Source Beam Combination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spatial beam combiners for combining lower-power light sources are complex, expensive, and prone to excessive heating, leading to reduced lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A spatial optical interleaver is used to combine the output beams of lower-power light sources, allowing half to pass unimpeded through openings while reflecting the other half to minimize heating and simplify the structure, using prism elements for interleaving without multilayer mirror structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If existing spatial combiners with dielectric mirror stacks are used to combine multiple lower-power light beams, then the light beams can be combined spatially, but the structure becomes complicated and expensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The beam combiner is segmented into multiple independent prism elements, each handling one or more beam sources. Each prism element is a simple geometric shape that can be manufactured separately and then assembled, avoiding the need for complex monolithic structures. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to combine multiple beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam combiner that acts as an intermediary between the individual beam sources and the output beam. The combiner uses simple prism elements as mediators to redirect and interleave beams from different sources, replacing complex dielectric mirror stacks with straightforward geometric optical elements.
2Power
If existing spatial combiners with dielectric mirror stacks are used to combine multiple lower-power light beams, then the light beams can be combined spatially, but excessive heating occurs reducing the life expectancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam combination function from the dielectric mirror stack structure and implements it using simple prism elements that do not require complex coatings. By taking out the beam combining capability and implementing it with simpler geometry, the system reduces heat generation while maintaining the desired optical function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple prism elements that are easier to manufacture and replace than complex dielectric mirror stacks. While individual prisms may be simpler and potentially shorter-lived, the overall system achieves better thermal management and reliability through the simplicity of each component and the ability to easily replace them.
3Power
If polarization combiners are used to combine light beams, then the beams can be combined, but excessive heating occurs and polarization requirements add complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the polarization-based optical system with a geometric optics approach using prisms. Instead of relying on polarization state management and complex polarization optics, the system uses simple refraction and reflection geometries to achieve beam combination, significantly reducing both complexity and heating.
4Temperature
If multiple lower-power light sources are spaced apart to facilitate cooling, then cooling is improved, but the beam combination becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the spatial dimension and angular orientation to achieve beam combination. By arranging prism elements at specific angles and positions, beams from spatially separated sources are redirected to overlap in a common output direction. This dimensional approach allows sources to be spaced apart for cooling while still achieving effective combination.
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 reduces heating and manufacturing costs, extends the lifespan of the beam combiner, and maintains alignment, achieving a high-power beam with power density similar to individual sources while avoiding premature failure.
Implementation Method 1
the second-beam-source output beams are reflected by the spatial optical interleaver to be interleaved with the first-beam-source output beams
Implementation Method 2
Each prism element comprises a first total internal reflection surface that reflects each respective second-beam-source output beam out of the second-beam-source plane, and a second total internal reflection surface that thereafter reflects each respective second-beam-source output beam into the first-beam-source plane
Data Source
AI summary
A light source includes a first set of first beam sources having parallel output beams lying in a first-beam-source plane and a second set of second beam sources having parallel output beams lying in a second-beam-source plane. The first-beam-source output beams are parallel to the second-beam-source output beams, but are spatially offset in a direction perpendicular to the first-beam-source output beams. A spatial optical interleaver disposed receives the first-beam-source output beams and the second-beam-source output beams. The first-beam-source output beams pass unimpeded through a set of first-beam openings in the spatial optical interleaver, and the second-beam-source output beams are reflected parallel to the first-beam-source output beams and in the first-beam-source plane.