Vacuum Chamber Lens Assembly With Flexure Alignment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for ion trap quantum computing face challenges in achieving precise alignment of the final 'atom imager' objective lens within a vacuum chamber, particularly due to space constraints and the need for compact, integrated designs that minimize chamber size while maintaining high precision.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with a compact, integrated design featuring a housing, frame, lens, and spiral flexures with flexure actuators and translation actuators that provide five degrees of freedom for precise adjustment, allowing for precise alignment and adjustment of the lens within the vacuum chamber, utilizing a parallel flexure system and motors for efficient movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a Gough-Stewart Platform (hexapod) mounted outside the vacuum chamber is used, then the lens alignment adjustment mechanism is provided, but the physical space for the mechanism is significantly restricted and the chamber size increases due to the need for a large reentrant window
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lens mounting structure with the vacuum chamber by integrating the lens directly into the chamber wall or end cap, eliminating the need for an external hexapod platform and large reentrant window. This integration reduces the overall vacuum chamber volume while maintaining lens alignment capability through embedded adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the lens adjustment mechanism from the external environment and places it inside the vacuum chamber, eliminating the need for external hexapod platforms and large reentrant windows. This internal integration reduces the vacuum chamber volume while maintaining alignment capability.
2Device complexity
If beams travel horizontally to skim the top of the ion trap, then the system architecture is simplified, but the alignment precision and spot size control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the optical system to adapt its configuration. By enabling real-time adjustment of beam paths and lens positions, the system can switch between horizontal and vertical beam orientations as needed, maintaining alignment precision while managing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the optical system by switching from fixed horizontal beam paths to adjustable vertical beam paths. This parameter change enables precise spot size control and alignment while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
3Measurement precision
If a relatively small spot size is used, then the imaging precision is improved, but the numerical aperture requirement increases and physical space constraints are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating optical resources at the focal point where small spot size is required. By using high numerical aperture lenses only where needed for precise imaging and allowing other parts of the optical system to have relaxed specifications, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining high imaging precision where required.
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 system achieves tightly controlled telecentricity, distortion, and spot size requirements, enabling precise alignment and adjustment of the lens within the vacuum chamber, reducing the need for large reentrant windows and enhancing space efficiency while maintaining high precision.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of spiral flexures each having a respective proximal end coupled to the frame... each flexure actuator is coupled between the housing and a distal end of a respective spiral flexure
Implementation Method 2
The optical assembly may comprise a respective threaded flexure tube coupled to a distal end of each of the plurality of spiral flexures. Each flexure actuator may comprise a motor having a rotatable threaded output shaft coupled to a respective threaded flexure tube
Implementation Method 3
Each translation actuator may comprise a motor having an eccentric output shaft received within a respective elongate passageway
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system for use with a vacuum chamber may include a target to be positioned within the vacuum chamber, a laser source, and an optical assembly to be positioned within the vacuum chamber between the target and the laser source. The optical assembly may include a housing, a frame, a lens carried by the frame, and spiral flexures each having a respective proximal end coupled to the frame. In addition, the optical assembly may include a plurality of flexure actuators, where each flexure actuator is coupled between the housing and a distal end of a respective spiral flexure.