VCSEL Array Projector with Collimating Lens and Diffractive Optical Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-dimensional optical imaging systems using laser diodes are time-consuming and costly to assemble, prone to damage, and suffer from speckle issues due to diffusely reflected light from rough surfaces, affecting their reliability and accuracy in applications like gaming and semiconductor inspection.
Innovation Solution
A projector system utilizing a VCSEL array with a collimating lens array and diffractive optical elements for patterning light, which simplifies fabrication, reduces speckle contrast, and enhances reliability by using a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser as the light source, enabling efficient 3D imaging without the need for complex packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a laser diode is assembled as a transistor-outline package with collimating optics and diffractive optical elements, then the projector can function for 3D imaging, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the laser diode, collimating optics, and diffractive optical elements into a single integrated package structure. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate assembly steps, directly reducing assembly time and cost while maintaining the projector's 3D imaging functionality and reliability
2Reliability
If a laser diode is assembled as a transistor-outline package with collimating optics and diffractive optical elements, then the projector can function for 3D imaging, but the assembly process becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the laser diode, collimating optics, and diffractive optical elements into a single integrated package structure. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate assembly steps, directly reducing assembly time and cost while maintaining the projector's 3D imaging functionality and reliability
3Ease of operation
If a laser diode is assembled as a transistor-outline package with collimating optics and diffractive optical elements, then the projector can function for 3D imaging, but the assembled projector becomes susceptible to damage and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the laser diode, collimating optics, and diffractive optical elements into a single integrated package structure. This merging of components eliminates the need for separate assembly steps, directly reducing assembly time and cost while maintaining the projector's 3D imaging functionality and reliability
4Ease of operation
If a laser diode is assembled as a transistor-outline package with collimating optics and diffractive optical elements, then the projector can function for 3D imaging, but speckle issues arise due to diffusely reflected light from rough surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a diffractive optical element that creates localized light patterns with specific spatial frequency characteristics. This local quality modification of the light field helps reduce speckle contrast by distributing the light energy in a way that minimizes diffuse reflection effects from rough surfaces, thereby improving depth measurement accuracy
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 VCSEL array-based projector system simplifies assembly, increases reliability, and reduces speckle noise, providing efficient and accurate 3D imaging for applications such as human identification and gesture recognition in gaming and other fields, while being more cost-effective and durable than traditional laser diode systems.
Implementation Method 1
The projector includes a light source formed of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, or VCSEL array
Implementation Method 2
a collimating lens array for focusing the light emitted from each VCSEL in the array
Implementation Method 3
a DOE for patterning the light from the collimating lens array
Implementation Method 4
a collimating lens array for focusing the light emitted from each VCSEL in the array
Implementation Method 5
a DOE for patterning the light from the collimating lens array to enable the sensing device to generate a 3-D image
Data Source
AI summary
A projector is disclosed for use in a 3-D imaging device. The projector includes a light source formed of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, or VCSEL array. The VCSEL array provides a light source for illuminating a capture area. Light from the VCSEL array is reflected off of objects in the capture area and received within a sensing device such as a 3-D camera. The projector may further include a collimating lens array for focusing the light emitted from each VCSEL in the array, as well as a DOE for patterning the light from the collimating lens array to enable the sensing device to generate a 3-D image of the objects in the capture area.