Compact beam shaping and steering assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12235463-B2
Application number	US-202117566765-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 31, 2021
Priority date	Dec 16, 2016
Publication date	Feb 25, 2025
Grant date	Feb 25, 2025

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for coupling an optical beam from an optical source to a hi-tech system are described. A compact, low-cost beam-shaping and steering assembly may be located between the optical source and hi-tech system and provide automated adjustments to beam parameters such as beam position, beam rotation, and beam incident angles. The beam-shaping and steering assembly may be used to couple an elongated beam to a plurality of optical waveguides.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An optical system comprising:
a first optical component configured to receive an input beam and rotate about a first axis, wherein a direction in which the input beam travels is substantially perpendicular to both the first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis;
a second optical component configured to rotate about the second axis;
a third optical component configured to rotate about a third axis, the third axis substantially parallel to the first axis;
a fourth optical component configured to compress or expand a dimension of a beam shape of a prior version of the input beam; and
a turning mirror configured to receive the compressed or expanded prior version of the input beam by the fourth optical component.

2. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein:
the second optical component comprises an optical window.

3. The optical system of claim 2 , wherein:
the optical window of the second optical component comprises two opposing faces that are substantially parallel to each other, and
a version of the input beam passes through the two opposing faces of the optical window of the second optical component.

4. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein:
the third optical component comprises an optical window.

5. The optical system of claim 4 , wherein:
the optical window of the third optical component comprises two opposing faces that are substantially parallel to each other, and
a version of the input beam passes through the two opposing faces of the optical window of the third optical component.

6. The optical system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a lens located between the first optical component and the second optical component.

7. The optical system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an adjustable mount supporting the first optical component, and
an actuator coupled to the adjustable mount.

8. The optical system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first optical component comprises an optical window.

9. An optical system comprising:
a first optical component configured to receive an input beam;
a first actuator configured to rotate the first optical component about a first axis, wherein a direction in which the input beam travels is substantially perpendicular to both the first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis;
a second optical component;
a second actuator configured to rotate the second optical component about the second axis;
a third optical component;
a third actuator configured to rotate the third optical component about a third axis, the third axis substantially parallel to the first axis;
a fourth optical component configured to compress or expand a dimension of a beam shape of a prior version of the input beam; and
a turning mirror configured to receive the compressed or expanded prior version of the input beam by the fourth optical component.

10. The optical system of claim 9 , further comprising:
a lens located between the first optical component and the second optical component.

11. The optical system of claim 9 , wherein:
the first optical component comprises an optical window.

12. The optical system of claim 11 , wherein:
the optical window of the first optical component comprises two opposing faces that are substantially parallel to each other, and
a version of the input beam passes through the two opposing faces of the optical window of the first optical component.

13. The optical system of claim 9 , wherein:
the second optical component comprises an optical window.

14. The optical system of claim 13 , wherein:
the optical window of the second optical component comprises two opposing faces that are substantially parallel to each other, and
a version of the input beam passes through the two opposing faces of the optical window of the second optical component.

15. The optical system of claim 9 , wherein:
the first actuator comprises a drive shaft, and
the optical system further comprises:
an adjustable mount supporting the first optical component;
a cam arm connected to the drive shaft;
a bearing connected to the cam arm; and
a curved surface connected to the adjustable mount.

16. The optical system of claim 15 , wherein:
the curved surface is shaped to linearize a change in a parameter of an optical beam passing through the first optical component due to rotation of the cam arm by the drive shaft.

17. A method of operating an optical system, the method comprising:
rotating a first optical component of the optical system about a first axis, the first optical component configured to receive an input beam, wherein a direction in which the input beam travels is substantially perpendicular to both the first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis;
rotating a second optical component of the optical system about the second axis; rotating a third optical component of the optical system about a third axis, the third axis substantially parallel to the first axis;
compressing or expanding a dimension of a beam shape of a prior version of the input beam with a fourth optical component; and
receiving, by a turning mirror, the compressed or expanded prior version of the input beam by the fourth optical component.

Assignees

• Quantum Si Inc

Inventors

• Rothberg Jonathan M
• Glenn Paul E
• Schultz Jonathan C
• Cipriany Benjamin

Classifications

• G02B27/0972

  Prisms (prisms per se G02B5/04) · CPC title

• G02B27/0944

  Diffractive optical elements, e.g. gratings, holograms (gratings per se G02B5/18; holograms used as optical elements per se G02B5/32) · CPC title

• G02B27/0916 Primary

  Adapting the beam shape of a semiconductor light source such as a laser diode or an LED, e.g. for efficiently coupling into optical fibers (coupling into light guides using intermediate optical elements G02B6/4204; details of lighting devices in general F21V) · CPC title

• G02B27/0911

  Anamorphotic systems · CPC title

• G02B7/005

  Motorised alignment · CPC title