Vacuum Chamber Optical Assembly With 5-DOF Lens Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

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 is designed with a compact, cube-shaped structure inside the vacuum chamber, utilizing spiral flexures and translation actuators to provide five degrees of freedom for lens adjustment, incorporating a housing, frame, and flexure actuators with threaded output shafts to achieve precise alignment and movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a Gough-Stewart Platform (hexapod) is mounted outside the vacuum chamber with beams entering from below, then the lens alignment precision is improved, but the chamber size increases due to the need for a large reentrant window

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens alignment precisionVSAvoidvacuum chamber size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical assembly is nested inside the vacuum chamber, with the lens and adjustment mechanisms contained within a compact housing that fits inside the chamber volume. This eliminates the need for external mounting and large reentrant windows, resolving the contradiction between precision alignment and chamber size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from horizontal beam traversal (skimming the top of the ion trap) to vertical beam orientation (entering from below), fundamentally changing the spatial dimension of beam propagation. This dimensional change enables compact chamber design while maintaining alignment precision through the integrated optical assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If horizontal beam traversal is used to skim the top of the ion trap, then the system architecture is simplified, but the physical space for alignment adjustment mechanisms is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem architecture complexityVSAvoidphysical space for alignment adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment capabilities through five degrees of freedom (five DOF) that enable the lens to be precisely positioned and oriented. The spiral flexures and translation actuators provide dynamic adjustment in multiple directions, overcoming the space restrictions of horizontal beam traversal while maintaining manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If vertical beam orientation is used to eliminate overhanging loads, then the lens center of gravity is centered above the manipulator, but the chamber size increases due to the large reentrant window requirement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelens center of gravity stabilityVSAvoidvacuum chamber size

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical assembly with vertically oriented beam path is nested inside the vacuum chamber, eliminating the need for large external reentrant windows. The compact housing contains all optical components and adjustment mechanisms, achieving both vertical beam orientation for stability and compact chamber size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 enables precise alignment and adjustment of the lens within tight tolerances, reducing chamber size and enhancing integration with vacuum systems, supporting advanced applications like quantum computing and fiber-coupled acousto-optic devices.

Implementation Method 1

spiral flexures and translation actuators to provide five degrees of freedom for lens adjustment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

threaded output shafts coupled to a distal end of each of the plurality of spiral flexures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP4242714B1Optical system for use with a vacuum chamber and associated method

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 EAGLE TECHNOLOGY LLC

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

An optical assembly to be used between a target positioned within a vacuum chamber and a laser source comprises: a housing; a frame; a lens carried by the frame; a plurality of spiral flexures each having a respective proximal end coupled to the frame; a plurality of flexure actuators, each flexure actuator coupled between the housing and a distal end of a respective spiral flexure; and a plurality of translation actuators coupled between the housing and the frame, wherein the frame includes a pair of elongate passageways orthogonal to one another and wherein each translation actuator comprises a motor having an eccentric output shaft received within a respective elongate passageway.