Tunable Optical Device With Flexible Frame For Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Fabry-Perot optical filters face challenges in miniaturization while achieving wide-band filtering, as adjusting the reflector distance to reduce cavity length results in a larger device size and limited spectral range.
Innovation Solution
A tunable optical device design incorporating a substrate, support units, a flexible frame, an elastic component, and actuators, where the flexible frame is suspended above the substrate with a stiffness difference in the Z-axis direction, allowing for adjustable reflector distance through elastic deformation, enabling miniaturization and wide-band filtering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the first reflector and the second reflector is reduced to achieve wide-band filtering, then the spectral scanning range is improved, but the device size increases and becomes difficult to miniaturize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible frame structure that can dynamically change its shape and the distance between reflectors through actuation. This dynamic capability allows the device to achieve wide spectral scanning range when needed while maintaining a compact form factor during storage or non-operational states, effectively resolving the contradiction between spectral range and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and configuration parameters of the flexible frame and elastic components through actuation. By controlling the degree of deformation and the stiffness characteristics of elastic components, the device can adjust the reflector distance to achieve desired spectral scanning range while maintaining miniaturization through controlled parameter changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the initial position of the first reflector is set far away from the second reflector to achieve wide-band filtering, then the spectral scanning range is improved, but the device becomes large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible frame structure allows the first reflector to be positioned in a nested or folded configuration close to the second reflector when not in use, minimizing the device length. During operation, the frame expands to position the first reflector at the required distance for wide-band filtering, thus achieving both compact size and wide filtering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes out-of-plane deformation of the flexible frame to achieve the required reflector separation distance. By bending the frame in the Z-direction (perpendicular to the substrate plane), the device can achieve the necessary optical path length without increasing the in-plane device footprint, effectively resolving the contradiction between filtering capability and device length.
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 achieves a wider spectral scanning range while maintaining compactness, with the flexible frame's elastic deformation allowing for precise control of the reflector distance, enhancing spectral resolution and miniaturization.
Implementation Method 1
The stiffness of the elastic component in a Z-axis direction is smaller than a stiffness of the flexible frame in the Z-axis direction
Implementation Method 2
A Fabry-Perot optical filter is a filter manufactured based on the principle of multiple-beam interference
Implementation Method 3
the light will oscillate back and forth between the first reflector and the second reflector. Since a specific distance is maintained between the first reflector and the second reflector, the light having a specific wavelength Rains a constructive interference
Implementation Method 4
The actuator is located between the flexible frame and the substrate or located between the first reflector and the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A tunable optical device including a substrate, at least one support unit, a flexible frame, an elastic component, a first reflector, and at least one actuator is provided. The support unit is fixed onto the substrate. The flexible frame is connected to the support unit and suspended above the substrate. The elastic component is connected to the flexible frame. A stiffness of the elastic component in the Z-axis is smaller than a stiffness of the flexible frame in the Z-axis. The Z-axis direction is parallel to a normal direction of the substrate. The first reflector is connected to the elastic component. The actuator is located between the flexible frame and the substrate or located between the first reflector and the substrate.