Wide-Angle Optical Scanning Element with Voltage-Tuned Diffraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical scanning elements have limited scan angles, require multiple light sources with different wavelengths, and exhibit slow response times due to wavelength-dependent deflection angles or heating mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

An optical scanning element utilizing first and second light-deflecting means, where the first light-deflecting means adjusts the emission area through refractive index changes via applied voltage, and the second light-deflecting means adjusts the area through diffraction, employing a combination of photonic crystals and diffraction gratings to achieve wide scan angles and rapid response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a light deflector with wavelength-dependent deflection angle is used, then the deflection angle can be adjusted for different wavelengths, but multiple light sources with different wavelengths are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeflection angle adjustmentVSAvoidnumber of light sources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a single light source that serves multiple functions by utilizing both the zeroth-order transmitted light and the first-order diffracted light for scanning purposes. This eliminates the need for multiple light sources with different wavelengths while maintaining the capability to achieve different deflection angles through the diffraction grating's ability to separate and direct different diffraction orders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If heating mechanism is used to change deflection angle, then the deflection angle can be adjusted, but the response time becomes slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeflection angle adjustmentVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal field (heating mechanism) with an optical field mechanism based on diffraction. By using a diffraction grating to spatially separate and direct light beams at different angles, the system achieves deflection angle adjustment through optical path control rather than thermal expansion, thereby dramatically improving the response time while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a conventional optical scanning element is used, then the structure is simple, but the scan angle is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidscan angle

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the scanning capability from a single angular dimension to multiple angular dimensions by utilizing the diffraction grating's ability to produce multiple diffraction orders. The zeroth-order and first-order transmitted lights provide scanning in different angular ranges, effectively expanding the total scan angle coverage while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Speed

If a light deflector with fixed deflection angle is used, then the response time is fast, but the scan angle coverage is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidscan angle coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic scanning system where the effective deflection angle is not fixed but can be changed by selecting different diffraction orders from the diffraction grating. The system dynamically switches between zeroth-order and first-order transmitted lights to cover different angular ranges, achieving both fast response time (inherent in optical deflection) and sufficient scan angle coverage through order selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables large scan angles, rapid responsiveness, and downsizing of the optical scanning element, improving safety and reliability for applications like LiDAR by using a single light source and continuous voltage control.

Implementation Method 1

The first light-deflecting means is configured to be changed in refractive index by a change in applied voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

The second light-deflecting means is configured to adjust the second area through diffraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS12449711B2Optical scanning element

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 NGK INSULATORS LTD

AI summary

There is provided an optical scanning element, which has a large scan angle, is quickly responsive, and can be downsized. An optical scanning element according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first light-deflecting unit for emitting light to a first area; and a second light-deflecting unit for emitting the light that has been emitted to the first area to a second area wider than the first area. The first light-deflecting unit is configured to be changed in refractive index by a change in applied voltage, and to adjust the first area through the change in refractive index, and the second light-deflecting unit is configured to adjust the second area through diffraction.