Staggered Beam Combining Light Source for Compact High-Power Optical Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beam combining devices for polarized light from multiple laser diodes are bulky, complex to assemble, and complicate heat dissipation due to their three-dimensional structure, which hinders efficient coupling into optical fibers.
Innovation Solution
A compact beam combining light source with staggered arrangements of light emitters and collimating reflectors, where the second row of collimating reflectors is partially positioned between the first row of light emitters and collimating reflectors, allowing for efficient polarization combining without blocking emitter beams, and utilizing fast-axis collimators to align beams for optimal coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a three-dimensional beam combining device structure is used to achieve polarization beam combining, then the optical power and brightness of the output beam are doubled, but the device becomes bulky and assembly alignment becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional stacked structure to a two-dimensional planar arrangement by disposing collimating reflectors and light emitters in substantially the same plane. This dimensional simplification reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the polarization beam combining function through strategic positioning of reflectors at different lateral locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the collimating reflectors from the three-dimensional stacked configuration and repositions them in a two-dimensional plane, separating the collimation function from the vertical stacking arrangement. This extraction allows for simplified assembly while preserving the optical combining capability.
2Power
If a three-dimensional beam combining device structure is used to achieve polarization beam combining, then the optical power and brightness of the output beam are doubled, but heat dissipation becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
By repositioning light emitters and collimating reflectors in a two-dimensional plane rather than stacking them vertically, the patent creates improved thermal pathways. The planar arrangement allows heat to dissipate more efficiently across the substrate surface, avoiding the confined thermal environment of a three-dimensional stacked structure.
3Area of stationary object
If collimating reflectors are positioned close to light emitters for compactness, then the device footprint is reduced, but the reflectors may block emitter beams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of collimating reflectors relative to light emitters, with reflectors disposed at different lateral locations rather than symmetrically surrounding the emitters. This asymmetric arrangement allows reflectors to be positioned close to emitters for compactness while maintaining clear beam paths by strategically placing reflectors where they will not intercept emitted beams.
4Productivity
If light emitters are arranged in a staggered configuration with lateral offset, then beam combining efficiency is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a staggered configuration of light emitters and collimating reflectors in the lateral dimension rather than using vertical stacking. This two-dimensional staggering achieves beam combining efficiency by ensuring proper spatial relationships between emitters and reflectors while maintaining a planar structure that is simpler than three-dimensional arrangements.
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 solution enables simpler assembly and alignment, improved heat dissipation, and efficient coupling of high-brightness beams into optical fibers, reducing the device footprint while maintaining high optical power and brightness.
Implementation Method 1
first and second rows of beam collimating reflectors for collimating the first and second emitter beams, and for re-directing the first and second emitter beams
Implementation Method 2
first and second rows of light emitters for emitting a plurality of first emitter beams and a plurality of second emitter beams, respectively
Implementation Method 3
Since the diode laser emission is typically polarized, polarization beam combining may be used
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to sources of optical radiation wherein polarized radiation from first and second rows of light emitters is first collimated and combined into two combined beam using first and second rows of collimating and beam re-directing elements, respectively, and then polarization multiplexed to form a polarization-multiplexed output beam. In order to reduce the footprint, emitters of the first and second emitter rows are disposed in an interleaved, staggered arrangement, and the second row of collimating and beam re-directing elements is disposed in a space between the first emitter row and the first row of collimating and beam re-directing elements.