Compact Terahertz Wave Generator via Movable Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional terahertz wave generators are large in size due to the linear arrangement of beam guide means and convex lenses, which increases the apparatus size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact terahertz wave generator design where a pair of convex lenses are arranged separately along the optical path, with a movable total reflection mirror adjusting the seed beam's angle of incidence on a nonlinear crystal to satisfy phase matching conditions, allowing for a more compact and versatile device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a diffraction grating and a pair of convex lenses are arranged along a single straight line in the horizontal direction, then the seed beam can be properly diffracted and focused, but the optical length increases and the apparatus size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement from a horizontal linear configuration to a vertical configuration. The diffraction grating and convex lenses are arranged along the vertical direction rather than horizontally, which shortens the horizontal optical path length while maintaining the necessary optical functions for beam diffraction and focusing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable total reflection mirror that can change the position where the seed beam is incident on the collecting lens. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to achieve proper beam focusing without requiring a long fixed optical path, as the incident position can be optimized for compact arrangements.
2Ease of operation
If a diffraction grating and a pair of convex lenses are arranged along a single straight line, then the optical system is simple to align, but the apparatus becomes large in size
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging the diffraction grating and convex lenses vertically instead of horizontally, the patent reduces the horizontal footprint of the apparatus while maintaining alignment simplicity. The vertical arrangement allows for compact packaging without significantly complicating the alignment procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable total reflection mirror provides dynamic adjustment capability that simplifies alignment in compact configurations. By allowing adjustment of the seed beam incident position on the collecting lens, the system can achieve proper alignment even in reduced-size arrangements where fixed alignment would be difficult.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the seed beam incident position on the collecting lens is fixed, then the optical system is stable, but the angle of incidence on the nonlinear crystal cannot be adjusted to satisfy phase matching conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable total reflection mirror that enables dynamic adjustment of the seed beam incident position on the collecting lens. This allows the angle of incidence on the nonlinear crystal to be varied to satisfy different phase matching conditions for different terahertz frequencies, while the overall optical system remains stable through controlled adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables change of the incident position parameter of the seed beam on the collecting lens, which in turn changes the angle of incidence on the nonlinear crystal. This parameter adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different phase matching requirements while maintaining optical stability through systematic control.
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 results in a smaller, more cost-effective terahertz wave generator capable of generating terahertz waves across a wide frequency range, enabling efficient inspection of various materials by adjusting the seed beam's incidence angle and wavelength.
Implementation Method 1
a nonlinear crystal capable of generating terahertz wave on the basis of a parametric effect, a pumping beam emitter that emits pumping beam, a seed beam emitter that emits seed beam
Implementation Method 2
a nonlinear crystal capable of generating terahertz wave on the basis of a parametric effect
Implementation Method 3
a convex lens that is disposed on the optical path of the seed beam and collects the seed beam
Implementation Method 4
beam guide means for guiding the seed beam emitted from the seed beam emitter to the nonlinear crystal, and a convex lens that is disposed on the optical path of the seed beam and collects the seed beam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A terahertz wave generator 1 includes a nonlinear crystal 4, which is capable of generating terahertz wave TH, a pumping beam emitter 2, which emits pumping beam L1, a seed beam emitter 3, which is disposed so as to be parallel to the nonlinear crystal 4 and emits seed beam L2, a first total reflection mirror 17 and a second total reflection mirror 18, which successively reflect the seed beam L2 emitted from the seed beam emitter 3 to cause the seed beam L2 to be incident on the nonlinear crystal 4, and a convex lens 6, which collects the seed beam L2. When the pumping beam L1 and the seed beam L2 are caused to be incident on the nonlinear crystal 4 with the pumping beam L1 and the seed beam L2 superimposed on each other, the nonlinear crystal 4 generates the terahertz wave TH. Moving the first total reflection mirror 17 in the horizontal direction along the optical path of the seed beam L2 immediately after it is emitted can change the angle of incidence of the seed beam L2 incident on the nonlinear crystal 4. A terahertz wave generator 1 that is more compact and inexpensive than ever can be provided.