Tunable Laser Beam Steering for Stable Pointing During Spectral Sweeps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tunable lasers are incapable of generating an accurate laser beam over a broad spectral range, leading to variations in beam path and intensity during wavelength tuning, which affects the precision of applications like spectroscopy.
Innovation Solution
A laser assembly with a beam steering mechanism controlled by a dynamic controller to actively steer the laser beam, maintaining a desired path and intensity over a tunable range, using multiple laser modules and reflectors to compensate for beam pointing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the laser assembly is tuned over a broad spectral range, then the wavelength coverage is improved, but the beam path stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a beam position detector monitors the actual beam position on the target, and this information is fed back to a controller that adjusts the beam steering assembly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism compensates for beam path variations that occur during wavelength tuning, maintaining stable beam positioning across the broad spectral range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic beam steering components (such as acousto-optic modulators or electro-optic deflectors) that can rapidly adjust the beam direction in real-time during wavelength tuning. This dynamic adjustment compensates for the changing beam path characteristics as the laser wavelength is swept across the spectral range.
2Productivity
If the laser assembly is tuned rapidly across the spectral range, then the productivity is improved, but the beam pointing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system operates at high speeds to match the rapid tuning rate, with the beam position detector continuously monitoring and the controller making real-time corrections to maintain pointing accuracy throughout the fast spectral sweep.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates or pre-establishes the relationship between wavelength and required beam steering correction, allowing the beam steering assembly to proactively compensate for anticipated beam path changes during rapid tuning, rather than reacting after the deviation occurs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a beam steering assembly is added to compensate for beam path variations, then the beam path stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam steering assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it compensates for beam path variations during wavelength tuning, enables rapid spectral sweeping, and maintains beam positioning accuracy. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating several requirements into a single integrated subsystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam steering assembly acts as an intermediary component between the laser source and the target, mediating the beam path variations caused by wavelength tuning. This intermediary element isolates the complexity of beam stabilization from both the laser tuning mechanism and the target system, allowing each to operate independently.
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 assembly ensures precise and consistent laser beam steering across a wide wavelength range, maintaining beam path and intensity, suitable for applications requiring accurate spectral sweeps in spectroscopy and other industrial uses.
Implementation Method 1
a beam steering assembly including a first beam steerer and a second beam steerer... each reflector selectively rotated about a rotational axis
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly (10) for generating a laser beam (12) includes a beam steering assembly (18); a laser assembly (16) that is tunable over a tunable range; and a controller (20). The laser assembly (16) generates a laser beam (12) that is directed at the beam steering assembly (18). The controller (20) dynamically controls the beam steering assembly (18) to dynamically steer the laser beam (12) as the laser assembly (16) is tuned over at least a portion of the tunable range. As a result thereof, the laser beam (12) is actively steered along a desired beam path (12A) while the wavelength of the laser beam (12) is varied.