Wavelength-Dependent Mirror for Laser Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser light source devices face challenges in controlling optical feedback efficiency among multiple light emitters due to varying diffraction efficiency and incident angles, leading to instability in laser beam oscillation.
Innovation Solution
A laser light source device configuration that includes a first and second light emitter, an optical element for converging the beams, a wavelength dispersing element to align optical axes, and a partially reflecting mirror with wavelength-dependent reflectance, ensuring consistent optical feedback efficiency across all emitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a diffraction grating is used to disperse multiple laser beams with different wavelengths and incident angles, then wavelength separation is achieved, but the diffraction efficiency varies for each beam causing variation in optical feedback efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the reflectance of the partially reflecting mirror wavelength-dependent. Different regions of the mirror's reflectance spectrum are optimized for different wavelengths, allowing each laser beam to receive appropriate feedback efficiency compensation based on its specific wavelength and diffraction efficiency characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reflectance parameter of the partially reflecting mirror as a function of wavelength. By designing the mirror with wavelength-dependent reflectance characteristics, the system dynamically adjusts the feedback efficiency for each wavelength channel, compensating for the variations introduced by the diffraction grating.
2Productivity
If multiple light emitters are integrated into a single laser element, then the device can generate multiple laser beams simultaneously, but controlling the optical feedback efficiency of each emitter becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing wavelength-selective feedback control. Each wavelength channel (corresponding to each light emitter) receives customized feedback efficiency through the wavelength-dependent reflectance mirror, allowing independent optimization of each emitter's performance within the integrated laser element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical feedback parameter (reflectance) as a function of wavelength, enabling differential control of feedback efficiency for each light emitter. This parameter modulation allows the system to maintain optimal oscillation stability for multiple emitters simultaneously despite their different characteristics.
3Quantity of substance
If laser beams with different incident angles are incident on the diffraction grating, then wavelength multiplexing is achieved, but the oscillation stability decreases due to varying diffraction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reflectance parameter of the partially reflecting mirror based on wavelength to compensate for diffraction efficiency variations. This parameter modulation ensures that each laser beam, regardless of its incident angle and wavelength, receives appropriate feedback to maintain stable oscillation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements optical feedback through the partially reflecting mirror that returns a portion of each laser beam to its corresponding light emitter. The wavelength-dependent reflectance ensures that the feedback amount is optimized for each wavelength channel, stabilizing oscillation for multiple beams with different incident angles.
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
This configuration enables controlled optical feedback efficiency, stabilizing the oscillation of laser beams and reducing variations among light emitters, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the laser light source device.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength dispersing element on which the first laser beam and the second laser beam that have exited from the optical element are incident, the wavelength dispersing element causing an optical axis of the first laser beam and an optical axis of the second laser beam to coincide with one another
Implementation Method 2
a partially reflecting mirror that returns a portion of the first laser beam and a portion of the second laser beam that have exited from the wavelength dispersing element by reflection, and transmits a remaining portion of the first laser beam and a remaining portion of the second laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A laser light source device includes: a first light emitter that emits a first laser beam; a second light emitter that emits a second laser beam; an optical element that converges the first laser beam and the second laser beam; a wavelength dispersing element on which the first laser beam and the second laser beam from the optical element are incident, and which causes optical axes of the first laser beam and the second laser beam to coincide with one another, and then transmits the first laser beam and the second laser beam; and a partially reflecting mirror that returns portions of the first laser beam and the second laser beam from the wavelength dispersing element by reflection, and transmits remaining portions of the first laser beam and the second laser beam that have exited from the wavelength dispersing element. The reflectance of the partially reflecting mirror is wavelength-dependent.