Tunable Acoustic Gradient Index Lens for High-Speed Beam Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Current adaptive optical technologies, such as digital micromirror arrays and spatial light modulators, face limitations in speed, energy throughput, and cost, making them unsuitable for high-energy/high-power laser processing and large-scale materials processing applications.

Innovation Solution

A tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens (TAG lens) that uses a piezoelectric element to create acoustic waves, altering the refractive index of a fluid within a cavity, allowing for rapid and precise control of light beam properties, including focal length and beam shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If digital micromirror arrays or spatial light modulators are used for adaptive optics, then beam shaping capability is improved, but speed and energy throughput deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam shaping capabilityVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adaptive optical devices (micromirror arrays, spatial light modulators) with an acousto-optic device that uses sound waves to modulate the refractive index of a medium. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts and enables faster response speeds while maintaining beam shaping capability, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the optical medium by using acoustic waves to create dynamic refractive index variations. By controlling the acoustic frequency and amplitude, the system can rapidly adjust beam properties without mechanical movement, achieving both high adaptability and fast response speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If digital micromirror arrays or spatial light modulators are used for adaptive optics, then beam shaping capability is improved, but energy throughput deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam shaping capabilityVSAvoidenergy throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adaptive optical devices with an acousto-optic device that uses sound waves to modulate the refractive index of a medium. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts and enables faster response speeds while maintaining beam shaping capability, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the optical medium by using acoustic waves to create dynamic refractive index variations. By controlling the acoustic frequency and amplitude, the system can rapidly adjust beam properties without mechanical movement, achieving both high adaptability and fast response speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If traditional adaptive optical devices are used, then beam control is achieved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam controlVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of adaptive optics (beam control) from complex mechanical devices and implements it through a simpler acousto-optic mechanism. By removing unnecessary mechanical components and using acoustic wave modulation, the system achieves comparable or superior beam control at lower cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the optical medium by using acoustic waves to create dynamic refractive index variations. By controlling the acoustic frequency and amplitude, the system can rapidly adjust beam properties without mechanical movement, achieving both high adaptability and fast response speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 TAG lens enables fast and efficient control of light beam properties, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies by providing high-speed, high-energy throughput, and cost-effective adaptive optics for materials processing and imaging applications.

Implementation Method 1

A tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens (TAG lens) that uses a piezoelectric element to create acoustic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

altering the refractive index of a fluid within a cavity, allowing for rapid and precise control of light beam properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcousto-optic effect: Acousto-optic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9983459B2Tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens and system

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 MITUTOYO CORP

AI summary

A tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction (TAG) lens and system are provided that permit, in one aspect, dynamic selection of the lens output, including dynamic focusing and imaging. The system may include a TAG lens and at least one of a source and a detector of electromagnetic radiation. A controller may be provided in electrical communication with the lens and at least one of the source and detector and may be configured to provide a driving signal to control the index of refraction and to provide a synchronizing signal to time at least one of the source and the detector relative to the driving signal. Thus, the controller is able to specify that the source irradiates the lens (or detector detects the lens output) when a desired refractive index distribution is present within the lens, e.g. when a desired lens output is present.