Tunable Diffractive Optics Using Piezoelectric Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diffractive optical elements (DOEs) have fixed optical properties at the time of manufacture, limiting their functionality and requiring large, costly, and power-hungry acousto-optic modulators for tunability.
Innovation Solution
A tunable DOE is created by forming a piezoelectric film on a flexible substrate that deforms into a pattern of peaks and troughs in response to an actuation voltage, allowing the optical properties to be adjusted by varying the voltage, with the pattern amplitude determined by the applied voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rigid substrate is used for the DOE, then the manufacturing precision and structural stability are improved, but the adaptability and tunability of optical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static rigid substrate to a dynamic flexible substrate that can change its shape in response to applied voltage. The flexible substrate enables the DOE to dynamically adjust its micro-structure pattern and optical properties, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by using a flexible substrate whose physical state can be modified through applied voltage. This allows the substrate to transition between different shapes and configurations, enabling continuous adjustment of optical parameters such as focal length and diffraction patterns while maintaining manufacturing precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If acousto-optic modulators are used to achieve tunability, then the adaptability of optical properties is improved, but the device complexity, size, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex acousto-optic modulation system and replaces it with a simple flexible substrate and electrode configuration. By removing the unnecessary complexity of acousto-optic modulators while retaining the essential tunability function, the invention achieves adaptability with significantly reduced device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical acousto-optic system with an electro-mechanical system using a flexible substrate and voltage-driven deformation. This replacement eliminates the need for complex acoustic wave generation and modulation mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while maintaining optical tunability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If acousto-optic modulators are used to achieve tunability, then the adaptability of optical properties is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the power-intensive acousto-optic system with a low-power electro-mechanical system. The flexible substrate can be deformed using minimal electrical voltage, dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to tune optical properties for different applications.
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
Enables compact, inexpensive, and power-efficient tuning of optical properties such as focal length or deflection angle, allowing for dynamic control of diffractive effects in DOEs.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric film formed on the substrate and configured to deform in response to an actuation voltage applied thereto into a pattern of peaks and troughs configured to deflect optical radiation that is incident thereon
Implementation Method 2
The optical effect of the DOE depends on the spacing and depth of the diffractive micro-structure pattern. By appropriate design of this pattern, DOEs can be made to manipulate the incident radiation so as to generate almost any desired far-field intensity pattern
Data Source
AI summary
An optical component includes a substrate and a piezoelectric film formed on the substrate and configured to deform in response to an actuation voltage applied thereto into a pattern of peaks and troughs configured to deflect optical radiation that is incident thereon. The pattern has an amplitude determined by the actuation voltage.