Vacuum Chamber Lens Assembly With Spiral Flexures for Precise Alignment

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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 vacuum chambers, particularly due to space restrictions and the need for compact, integrated designs that minimize chamber size while maintaining high precision.

Innovation Solution

An optical assembly within the vacuum chamber utilizing a housing, frame, spiral flexures, and actuators providing five degrees of freedom for lens adjustment, including a combination of flexure and translation actuators, allows for precise alignment and adjustment of the lens, minimizing the system's size and integrating it within the chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a Gough-Stewart Platform (hexapod) mounted outside the vacuum chamber is used, then the lens alignment can be adjusted, but the system size increases and requires a large reentrant window

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens alignment precisionVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the alignment mechanism from the external vacuum chamber environment and integrates it inside the chamber. The hexapod mechanism is miniaturized and positioned within the vacuum chamber, eliminating the need for a large reentrant window and reducing the overall system footprint while maintaining alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent nests the alignment mechanism within the vacuum chamber structure. The hexapod platform and lens mounting system are integrated into the existing chamber architecture, allowing the alignment mechanism to occupy minimal space while functioning effectively within the constrained vacuum environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If beams travel horizontally to skim the top of the ion trap, then the setup is simpler, but physical space for alignment mechanism is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam path configurationVSAvoidavailable space for alignment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal beam traversal to vertical beam orientation. By directing beams vertically through the vacuum chamber, the system utilizes the z-dimension for beam propagation, freeing up horizontal space for the alignment mechanism and allowing the hexapod to be positioned below the ion trap without interfering with beam paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If a relatively small spot size is used, then the resolution is improved, but a relatively high numerical aperture objective lens is required which increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespot size resolutionVSAvoidobjective lens requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex high-NA objective lens requirements with a more manageable optical system. By using the vertically oriented beam path and positioned hexapod mechanism, the system achieves the required spot size resolution without necessitating extremely high numerical aperture lenses, thereby reducing overall optical system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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 optical assembly achieves precise alignment and adjustment of the lens, enabling compact integration within the vacuum chamber, supporting high-precision applications like quantum computing and fiber-coupled acousto-optic devices with improved flexibility and stress distribution.

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexure: Elasticity

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThreaded mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 3

Each translation actuator may comprise a motor having an eccentric output shaft received within a respective elongate passageway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentUS12542410B2Optical system for use with a vacuum chamber and associated method

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 EAGLE TECHNOLOGY LLC

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.