Surface-Emitting Laser Module With Integrated Metalens Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional semiconductor laser modules are limited in miniaturization due to the need for large propagation lengths and optical elements, which increase volume and cost, and existing metalens integration does not adequately address the size reduction of the laser module.
Innovation Solution
Integrate a metalens directly on the light-emitting surface of photonic crystal or topological cavity surface-emitting lasers, providing a large-area single-mode laser with adjustable optical properties, reducing the module's volume by more than one order of magnitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional optical elements (lenses, prisms, DOE) are used for beam expansion and shaping, then the light beam can meet application requirements, but the volume and manufacturing cost of the laser module increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the laser chip and metalens into a single integrated module, eliminating the need for separate optical elements. The metalens is positioned immediately above the laser chip's light-emitting surface, consolidating multiple functions (beam generation, expansion, and shaping) into one compact unit, thereby dramatically reducing module volume while maintaining beam quality
Solution Approach 2:
The metalens acts as an intermediary component between the laser chip and the external environment. It receives light directly from the chip's light-emitting surface and performs beam expansion and shaping functions that would otherwise require separate optical elements, enabling compact integration without compromising optical performance
2Area of stationary object
If a long propagation distance is used for beam expansion, then the required emission aperture can be achieved, but the module volume increases due to the extended propagation length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical approach of using long propagation distances for beam expansion with an optical metasurface (metalens). The metalens achieves beam expansion and shaping through its subwavelength structured surface, eliminating the need for extended propagation space while achieving the required emission aperture
Solution Approach 2:
The metalens changes the optical parameters of the light beam by manipulating phase, amplitude, and polarization through its engineered microstructures. This allows the beam to achieve the required aperture size immediately after emission without requiring long propagation distances, effectively decoupling aperture size from propagation length
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate optical elements are integrated on the laser chip, then beam shaping capabilities are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (beam expansion, shaping, and directional control) into a single metalens component that is directly integrated with the laser chip. This unified structure eliminates the need for multiple separate optical elements and their associated alignment and mounting complexities, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining versatile beam shaping capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The metalens is designed to perform multiple optical functions simultaneously - beam expansion, shaping, and directional control - within a single component. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized optical elements, thereby reducing the overall number of components and simplifying the integration process while maintaining adaptability for various beam shaping requirements
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 integrated metalens enables a high-performance semiconductor laser with a near-field light spot matching application requirements, achieving significant size reduction and planarization, while enhancing optical modulation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a metalens integrated at the light-emitting surface of the surface-emitting laser... the metalens can modulate the emission optical field in any degree of freedom such as phase, polarization and emission angle
Implementation Method 2
a surface-emitting laser comprising a photonic crystal surface-emitting laser or a topological cavity surface-emitting laser
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a surface-emitting laser module integrated with a metalens, and an electronic device and a laser coupling system comprising the surface-emitting laser module. According to an embodiment, a surface-emitting laser module may comprises: a surface-emitting laser comprising a photonic crystal surface-emitting laser or a topological cavity surface-emitting laser, the surface-emitting laser having a light-emitting surface; and a metalens integrated at the light-emitting surface of the surface-emitting laser.