Waveguide Aperture Lens for Lightweight Coherent Light Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lenses for focusing light are limited by design constraints such as size, weight, and cost, and many materials are applicable only to a narrow range of wavelengths, restricting their flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide lens with controlled phase modification in apertures allows for flexible positioning and efficient focusing of coherent light, using geometric characteristics to achieve constructive interference without opaque areas, enabling close aperture placement and increased efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional lenses are used to focus light, then light focusing capability is achieved, but the lens size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is segmented into multiple discrete waveguide elements arranged in an array, where each waveguide acts as an independent light-guiding channel. This segmentation allows the lens to achieve focusing capability through collective interference of multiple small waveguides rather than requiring a single large traditional lens, thereby reducing overall weight and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/optical lens structures with a waveguide-based system that uses electromagnetic wave propagation and interference principles. Instead of relying on the physical curvature and refraction of a bulk lens material, the system uses phased arrays of waveguides to achieve focusing, substituting mechanical optical elements with a controllable waveguide network.
2Power
If traditional lenses are used to focus light, then light focusing capability is achieved, but the lens complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide array system serves multiple functions: it focuses light, controls phase distribution, and can be configured for different focal points by adjusting the phase of individual waveguides. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate optical elements into a single integrated system, reducing overall device complexity despite the increased number of waveguide elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic phase control capabilities where the phase of each waveguide can be independently adjusted to adapt the focusing characteristics. This dynamic adjustability allows the same physical structure to perform different optical functions without requiring multiple fixed lenses, simplifying the overall system design while maintaining flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional materials are used in lenses, then lens structure is simple, but the applicable wavelength range is narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the optical system by using waveguide propagation modes instead of bulk material refraction. By controlling the phase and propagation characteristics of individual waveguides, the system can be tuned to operate at different wavelengths without requiring changes to the physical lens structure, thereby expanding the applicable wavelength range while maintaining a relatively simple waveguide array configuration.
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 waveguide lens enhances light focusing efficiency by optimizing interference patterns, allowing for smaller, lighter, and more versatile lenses that can handle a broader range of wavelengths.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of apertures may shape the phase of the radiation in a desired way inside the apertures so that the radiation interferes in a specific pattern
Implementation Method 2
A waveguide lens may comprise a plate that provides a plurality of apertures of a certain depth (e.g., waveguides) for letting radiation pass through the plate
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a waveguide lens. The waveguide lens may comprise a layer of material (101) that is opaque to radiation. A plurality of apertures may be disposed in the layer. Each aperture (108) of the plurality of apertures may have geometric characteristics for controlling a phase of radiation propagating through the aperture. Each aperture (108) of the plurality of apertures in the layer may controls the phase of the radiation that emanates from a light emitter and propagates through the aperture, based on a location of the aperture in the layer, to form a predetermined interference pattern after the radiation has propagated through the aperture.