Thin-Film Image Slicer for Accurate Slicing and Beam Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image slicers using optical glass edges suffer from manufacturing defects such as edge breakage, poor straightness, and angle errors, leading to low yield and unsatisfactory performance, and lack a steering function for outgoing light beams.
Innovation Solution
A thin film type image slicer device utilizing a main body prism, flat optical element, and optical film with a reflective cavity, where the optical film slices the image spot into multiple equal-width slices and allows for light beam steering through a turning prism, ensuring high accuracy and feasibility for mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optical glass edge is used to slice image spot, then slicing function is achieved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to edge breakage, poor straightness and angle errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the slicing function from the optical glass edge itself and transfers it to a separate optical film layer. The optical film is deposited on the glass substrate, and the slicing operation is performed by the film pattern rather than the glass edge, thereby eliminating the manufacturing precision problems associated with glass edge quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical film as an intermediary between the glass substrate and the slicing function. This optical film serves as a mediator that performs the slicing operation through its patterned structure, while the glass substrate provides only the mechanical support, thus decoupling the slicing precision from glass manufacturing quality.
2Ease of manufacture
If optical glass edge is used for slicing, then image spot slicing is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to low yield and glass fragility
Solution Approach 1:
The slicing capability is extracted from the fragile glass edge and transferred to a separate optical film that can be precisely patterned and replaced if needed. This separation allows the glass substrate to be manufactured with standard processes while the optical film provides the reliable slicing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin optical film deposited on the glass substrate to perform the slicing function. This thin film approach replaces the reliance on robust glass edges with a more flexible and precise film-based structure that is less susceptible to breakage and manufacturing defects.
3Ease of manufacture
If classic image slicer design is used, then image spot slicing is achieved, but device complexity increases due to lack of light beam steering function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the optical film structure. The same optical film that performs the slicing function also incorporates steering elements that can direct the light beam in different directions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate steering components and increases system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the slicing function and the light beam steering function into a single integrated optical film structure. By combining these two functions that were previously performed by separate components, the system becomes more compact and versatile without increasing overall device complexity.
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 solution enhances slicing accuracy, increases service life, and enables high-yield mass production while providing a steering function for outgoing light beams, reducing stray light and improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an incident light beam is incident from the first surface of the main body prism, and is reflected and transmitted forwards in a zigzag manner in the reflective cavity
Implementation Method 2
the light beam repeatedly passes through the oblique side in the reflection forward direction
Data Source
AI summary
A thin film type image slicer device comprises a main body prism, a flat optical element, and an optical film. A reflective cavity is formed between the optical film and a second surface of the flat optical element; the optical film has an oblique side at an angle θ with respect to a projection direction of a light beam reflection forward direction in the reflective cavity; the light beam repeatedly passes through the oblique side in the reflection forward direction; an image spot is sliced into a plurality of sliced images with the same width; and the plurality of sliced images are linearly arranged in an arrangement direction perpendicular to the slicing direction; and chief rays of the light beam corresponding to each sliced image are parallel to each other. An operating system includes a pre-optical system, the thin film type image slicer device and a subsequent optical system.