Optical Waveguide Lens Grating Exposure With Multi-Beam Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical waveguide lenses face issues with alignment differences, vibration, uneven refractive index matching, and exposure time variations affecting grating quality and transmission efficiency, limiting adjustable light output directions and grating positions.
Innovation Solution
A system for preparing optical waveguide lenses involving multi-beam splitting and pairwise interference of beams to form in-coupling, turning, and out-coupling gratings in a single step, using a setup with monochromatic light generators, half-wave plates, beam splitters, and collimating lenses to adjust beam angles and paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple gratings are exposed individually during interference exposure, then the optical waveguide lens can be formed, but alignment differences, vibration, uneven refractive index matching, and exposure time variation affect grating quality and transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual grating exposures into a single simultaneous exposure process. Multiple beams are generated and directed to expose different grating regions at the same time, eliminating the sequential exposure process. This merging of exposure operations achieves consistent grating quality across all regions while reducing total preparation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary alignment and positioning of the optical system before exposure. The optical waveguide lens, gratings, and beam paths are pre-aligned using alignment marks and positioning mechanisms. This preliminary action ensures that when multiple beams expose gratings simultaneously, the alignment remains consistent, preventing alignment differences and vibration-related quality issues.
2Stability of the object's composition
If light output directions and grating arrangement positions are fixed during production and assembly, then the optical waveguide lens structure is stable, but the ability to adjust light output directions and grating positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adjustable and dynamic elements into the optical waveguide lens system. The grating arrangement positions and light output directions can be adjusted during assembly and operation. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different application requirements while maintaining stable performance through controlled adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the optical waveguide lens with universal features that enable multiple functions. The adjustable grating positions and light output directions allow the same lens structure to serve different optical paths and applications. This multi-functionality is achieved through adjustable mounting structures and reconfigurable beam paths that can be adapted to various configurations.
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
Enables efficient one-step formation of optical waveguide lenses with consistent grating performance, reducing preparation time and improving production efficiency, particularly in large-scale processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first beam splitter... split by the first beam splitter into a first beam and a second beam
Implementation Method 2
the first monochromatic light is sequentially processed by a first light intensity controller and a first half-wave plate
Implementation Method 3
the first beam is sequentially processed by a second half-wave plate, a first beam expander, and a first collimating lens
Implementation Method 4
a first beam expander... sequentially processed by the second half-wave plate, the first beam expander, and the first collimating lens
Implementation Method 5
the third beam is processed by a second reflecting mirror to obtain a fifth beam, and the fourth beam is processed by a third reflecting mirror to obtain a sixth beam
Implementation Method 6
the sixth beam and the ninth beam are exposed on a holographic material to form an in-coupling grating, the fifth beam and the ninth beam are exposed on the holographic material to form a turning grating, and the sixth beam and the tenth beam are exposed on the holographic material to form an out-coupling grating
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a system for preparing an optical waveguide lens. Primarily, multi-beam splitting processing is performed on an exposure beam, and beams in different directions are made to interfere pairwise, thereby meeting multi-grating exposure requirements, enabling one-step formation of an in-coupling grating, a turning grating, and an out-coupling grating, reducing preparation time, and particularly improving production efficiency in large-scale production processes.