Three-Color Laser Source Temperature Control for Collimation Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-color light sources with laser diodes emitting red, green, and blue light face challenges in maintaining collimation properties due to temperature fluctuations, particularly affecting the red laser diodes with large temperature coefficients, leading to issues like astigmatism and spherical aberration.
Innovation Solution
A three-color light source comprising GaAs-based and GaN-based laser diodes for red and blue light, respectively, combined with collimator lenses and wavelength filters, and a temperature control element to maintain consistent emission and collimation, reducing the impact of environmental temperature on light quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If laser diodes are used to emit red, green, and blue light, then the light source can be formed as a white light source, but the red laser diode's wavelength changes significantly with temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the red laser diode system into multiple independent red laser diodes arranged in an array, where each diode can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the system to maintain stable overall output even when individual diodes experience wavelength shifts due to temperature variations, as not all diodes are affected equally simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs temperature control mechanisms to actively manage the operating temperature of the red laser diodes, and adjusts driving current parameters to compensate for wavelength shifts. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system maintains reliable wavelength stability despite environmental temperature fluctuations.
2Power
If the red laser diode operates at higher temperatures, then the light output increases, but the wavelength changes by maximally 10 nm and optical output changes by about 40%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms including temperature sensors and wavelength detection systems that monitor the red laser diode's operating conditions in real-time. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts driving currents and cooling rates to maintain precise wavelength control while preserving high light output, preventing the 40% optical output variation mentioned in the background.
3Ease of manufacture
If collimator lenses are used to convert laser beams into parallel light, then the light can be combined effectively, but color spreading such as astigmatism or spherical aberration occurs when light beams are concentrated through a scanning optical system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical characteristics to different parts of the laser beam path. Specifically, it uses wavelength-specific collimator lenses optimized for each color (red, green, blue) and positions them at different locations in the optical system. This local optimization ensures that each color beam maintains its collimation quality without introducing astigmatism or spherical aberration during subsequent concentration through the scanning optical system.
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 effectively maintains collimation properties and reduces temperature-related issues, such as astigmatism and spherical aberration, ensuring consistent light quality across varying environmental temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature control element that is equipped with the carrier
Implementation Method 2
a first collimator lens that collimates the first laser light; a second collimator lens that collimates the second laser light; a third collimator lens that collimates the third laser light
Implementation Method 3
a first wavelength filter that transmits the first laser light which is collimated through the first collimator lens, reflects the second laser light which is collimated through the second collimator lens, and outputs first combined light in which the first laser light and the second laser light are combined
Data Source
AI summary
A three-color light source 1 is a three-color light source that combines red, green, and blue laser light so as to output light. The three-color light source 1 includes a red LD 11, a green LD 12, a blue LD 13, a first collimator lens 61, a second collimator lens 62, a third collimator lens 63, a first wavelength filter 81, a second wavelength filter 82, a carrier 30 that is equipped with the LDs 11 to 13, the collimator lenses 61 to 63, and the wavelength filters 81 and 82, and a TEC 40 that is equipped with the carrier 30. The red LD 11 is formed of a GaAs-based material, and the green LD 12 and the blue LD 13 are formed of GaN-based materials.