Location-Dependent Waveplate for Non-Collimated Polarization Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waveplates require collimated incident light for effective polarization control, which is difficult to achieve with beam arrays from fiber arrays or PIC outputs, leading to low polarization purity in non-collimated beams.
Innovation Solution
Designing waveplates with location-dependent properties, such as non-uniform thickness or features like pillars and recesses, to accommodate varying angles of incidence, enabling high-fidelity polarization control for diverging or converging beams without collimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional waveplates are used with non-collimated beams, then the device complexity remains simple, but the polarization purity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waveplate implements local quality by having location-dependent properties across its surface. The thickness or material composition varies at different locations to accommodate varying angles of incidence across the beam profile, enabling each region to optimize polarization control for its specific incident angle while maintaining high polarization purity overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies parameter changes by modifying the waveplate's physical parameters (thickness, material composition) as a function of position. This allows the waveplate to adapt its optical properties across different locations to handle non-collimated beams with varying incident angles, thereby achieving high polarization purity without requiring complex additional optical components.
2Manufacturing precision
If collimation is applied to incident beams, then the polarization control improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional optical components required
Solution Approach 1:
The waveplate integrates multiple functional regions with location-dependent properties into a single component, eliminating the need for separate collimation optics. Each location on the waveplate is optimized for its specific incident angle, allowing the system to achieve high polarization control fidelity directly with the non-collimated beam without adding operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the waveplate property is made location-dependent, then the adaptability to non-collimated beams improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The waveplate is designed with location-dependent properties where thickness or material composition varies across the surface according to a predetermined profile. This allows the waveplate to adapt to non-collimated beams with varying incident angles at different locations, achieving high beam profile accommodation while the manufacturing process follows a known gradient pattern rather than requiring ultra-precise uniformity control.
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 solution provides high-purity polarization control for non-collimated beams, suitable for applications in quantum and atomic systems, including quantum computers.
Implementation Method 1
the waveplate includes one or more base material layers. The waveplate is characterized by at least one property and the at least one property is location dependent such that the at least one property is non-uniform across the waveplate. The waveplate is configured to modify or control a polarization of an optical beam that interacts with the waveplate via the at least one property.
Data Source
AI summary
A property of a waveplate at a plurality of locations across the waveplate is defined by, for each location, obtaining an expected angle of incidence of an intended incident optical beam at the respective location, and based at least in part on the expected angle of incidence, a goal output polarization for the waveplate, and at least one material property for a material of the waveplate, determining the property of the waveplate at the respective location. A representation of the property of the waveplate for each of the plurality of locations is provided. The waveplate is configured to modify a polarization of the intended incident optical beam that interacts with the waveplate to provide an output optical beam characterized by a goal output polarization via interaction of the intended incident optical beam with the waveplate based at least in part on the property of the waveplate.