Integrated Optical Lens with Spiral Surface for Vortex Beam Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical communication systems face challenges in manufacturing precision and quality due to the complexity of vortex phase plates, leading to issues with modal dispersion and excessive luminous flux in optical fibers, which limits transmission distance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A simple and precise optical lens with a spiral surface and intermediate structure, manufactured using a complementary mold with a spiral surface and stepped difference, ensures even light dispersion and minimizes central concentration, facilitating product miniaturization and improved processing accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vortex phase plate is used to convert light beam into vortex beam, then modal dispersion is prevented, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vortex phase plate function with the optical lens into a single integrated component. The spiral surface is directly formed on the lens body, merging two previously separate optical elements into one, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the vortex beam generation capability that prevents modal dispersion
Solution Approach 2:
The optical lens is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it focuses light as a traditional lens while also generating vortex beams through its spiral surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate vortex phase plates and achieves both beam focusing and modal dispersion prevention in a single component
2Reliability
If multiple optical elements are used to establish light transmission path, then vortex beam generation is achieved, but positioning precision becomes difficult and processing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the vortex phase plate and optical lens into one piece, eliminating the need for precise positioning between multiple separate elements. The spiral surface is directly formed on the lens during manufacturing, ensuring inherent positional accuracy and eliminating assembly-related positioning errors
Solution Approach 2:
The optical lens is divided into functional zones: a central intermediate structure region and a peripheral spiral surface region. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function (beam direction control and vortex generation respectively) while being manufactured as an integrated piece, ensuring both functional effectiveness and manufacturing precision
3Reliability
If conventional optical elements are used, then light transmission path is established, but the number of components increases and product miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vortex phase plate and optical lens into a single integrated component, significantly reducing the number of parts in the optical communication module. This integration directly contributes to product miniaturization by eliminating the space required for multiple separate elements and their alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated optical lens performs multiple functions (focusing and vortex generation) that previously required separate components. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and enables compact module design while maintaining effective light transmission and vortex beam generation
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
The optical lens effectively disperses light beams, preventing modal dispersion and over-concentration, thereby enhancing transmission efficiency and extending the transmission distance while simplifying the manufacturing process and ensuring precise positioning of optical elements.
Implementation Method 1
a vortex phase plate is generally used to convert the light beam into a vortex beam to prevent the light intensity from being concentrated at the central part of the optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
After long-distance transmission, differences due to the transmission speed between the light beams will occur, which causes the problem of modal dispersion
Data Source
AI summary
An optical lens, mold for optical lens and manufacturing method thereof are provided, wherein the optical lens includes a spiral surface spiraling around an axial direction and an intermediate structure around which the spiral surface spirals, the intermediate structure extends axially relative to a side of the spiral surface, and two ends of the spiral surface defines a stepped difference. The structure of the mold and the optical lens are correspondingly complementary. The manufacturing method of the mold includes following steps of: providing a base, the base including a processing surface; processing the processing surface to form the spiral surface, the intermediate structure and the stepped difference of the mold.