Temporal Focus Control in Optical Machining and Microscopy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical machining and microscope devices using pulsed light struggle with limited resolution in the optical axis direction, particularly when the focus radius of the pulsed light is increased, hindering microfabrication and three-dimensional imaging capabilities.

Innovation Solution

An optical device comprising an optical fiber amplifier, a dispersive element, and an objective lens that focuses pulsed light, where the amplification factor of the amplifier can be dynamically changed to adjust the position of temporal focus, improving resolution through temporal focus techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the focus radius of pulsed light is increased, then the processing area and imaging field are expanded, but the resolution in the optical axis direction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing areaVSAvoidresolution in optical axis direction
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temporal parameters of pulsed light by adjusting the amplification factor of the amplifier, which modifies the pulse duration and temporal focus position. This allows the system to maintain high resolution in the optical axis direction even when the focus radius is increased, resolving the contradiction between processing area and manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic control of the amplifier gain to adjust the temporal focus position in real-time. By dynamically changing the amplification factor, the system can adapt the pulse duration and temporal focus to match different focusing requirements, enabling both large processing areas and high resolution to be achieved

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If the amplification factor of the amplifier is increased, then the pulse energy is enhanced, but the pulse duration increases causing temporal focus position shift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepulse energyVSAvoidtemporal focus position
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs feedback control where the amplification factor is adjusted based on the desired temporal focus position. By monitoring the temporal focus position and adjusting the amplifier gain accordingly, the system can maintain precise temporal focus while achieving the required pulse energy levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes parameter changes in the amplifier operation to decouple the relationship between pulse energy and pulse duration. By operating the amplifier in different regimes and adjusting the amplification factor dynamically, the system can achieve high pulse energy while maintaining short pulse duration and precise temporal focus position

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

Enhances the resolution of optical machining devices and microscope devices by allowing high-speed microfabrication and three-dimensional imaging by dynamically adjusting the position of temporal focus, even with increased focus radius, thereby improving processing efficiency and image clarity.

Implementation Method 1

an amplifier that amplifies pulsed light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStimulated emission: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a dispersive element that disperses the pulsed light output from the amplifier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 3

an objective lens that focuses the pulsed light dispersed by the dispersive element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4589357A1Optical device, optical machining device, microscope device, and scanning method
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 NIKON CORP
  • EP4589357A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4589357A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4589357A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical device (10) of an optical machining device (1) includes: an optical fiber amplifier that amplifies pulsed light; a diffraction grating (12) that disperses the pulsed light (PL) output from the optical fiber amplifier, through the diffraction phenomenon; a collimating lens (13) that collimates the pulsed light (PL) dispersed by the diffraction grating (12); and an objective lens (17) that focuses the pulsed light (PL) having passed through the collimating lens (13), and changes a position at which temporal focus occurs, in the optical axis direction of the objective lens (17), by changing the amplification factor of the optical fiber amplifier.