Stepped Optical Filter With Reconfigurable Wavelength Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multispectral filters face limitations due to fixed channel configurations and imperfections caused by multiple spacer layer deposition, leading to reduced optical performance and increased size and cost.
Innovation Solution
A multispectral filter design featuring a stepped medium with a monolithic spacer and a translatable second mirror, allowing for dynamic reconfiguration of wavelength channels and reduced imperfections, thereby improving optical performance and reducing size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple spacer layers are deposited to form fixed channel configurations, then the filter structure is established, but manufacturing imperfections increase and optical performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the second mirror translatable relative to the first mirror, allowing the filter to dynamically reconfigure its wavelength channels. This mechanical adjustability eliminates the need for multiple fixed spacer layers, thereby reducing manufacturing imperfections while maintaining reliable optical performance across different spectral bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by enabling variation in the spacing between the first and second mirrors through translation of the second mirror. This allows the optical filter to change its spectral characteristics dynamically, achieving multiple wavelength channel configurations without requiring multiple deposited spacer layers, thus improving both manufacturing precision and optical reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple spacer layers are used to create fixed wavelength channels, then channel configuration is achieved, but device size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single filter structure with a translatable second mirror that can serve multiple wavelength channel configurations. This single structure performs the function of what would otherwise require multiple fixed spacer layers, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability across different spectral bands through the adjustable mirror positioning.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple spacer layers are deposited, then fixed channel configurations are formed, but transmissivity decreases and angle shift increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the dynamics principle to replace static multiple spacer layers with a dynamic single spacer structure where the second mirror can be translated. This maintains stable channel configurations through controlled positioning while improving optical performance by eliminating the cumulative imperfections inherent in multiple deposited layers.
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 design enhances transmissivity, reduces angle shift, and increases the number of spectral bands captured, achieving improved optical performance and cost-effectiveness by dynamically reconfiguring wavelength channels without the need for multiple spacer layers.
Implementation Method 1
a first mirror disposed on the stepped medium. The first mirror may form a stepped mirror surface
Implementation Method 2
a second mirror disposed on another surface of the spacer
Data Source
AI summary
A filter may include a substrate. The filter may include a stepped medium disposed on the substrate. The filter may include a first mirror disposed on the stepped medium. The first mirror may form a stepped mirror surface. Each step, of the stepped mirror surface may correspond to a channel, of a set of channels, of the filter. The filter may include a spacer disposed on the stepped mirror surface. The filter may include a second mirror disposed on another surface of the spacer.