Adaptive Optical Apparatus with Shared Pupil Conjugate System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adaptive optical systems for ophthalmic applications are large and cumbersome, making them difficult to adjust and increasing costs, while also being sensitive to mirror alignment, which complicates the adjustment process and reduces the compactness and affordability of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The adaptive optical apparatus incorporates a compact design with optically conjugate wavefront correction means and scanning means, utilizing a shared pupil conjugate optical system with common optical elements to reduce the number of components and adjustment points, allowing for easy adjustment and miniaturization, and includes arrangements with lenses or mirrors to prevent ghost light interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional adaptive optical systems are used with separate optical paths for wavefront correction and scanning, then the system can achieve wavefront aberration correction, but the apparatus becomes large and cumbersome, increasing adjustment difficulty and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wavefront correction optical path and the scanning optical path into a single shared optical path. The deformable mirror serves both as the wavefront correction element and as part of the scanning system, eliminating the need for separate optical paths and reducing the overall number of components. This merging approach directly addresses the contradiction by maintaining wavefront correction capability while significantly reducing system size and adjustment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable mirror is designed to perform multiple functions: it corrects wavefront aberrations and simultaneously serves as the scanning element for directing light across the retina. By making the deformable mirror multi-functional, the system eliminates redundant components and reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining both wavefront correction and scanning capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate optical elements are used for wavefront correction and scanning, then the system can perform both functions, but the number of adjustment points increases, making the system harder to maintain and align
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wavefront correction function and scanning function into a single integrated optical path with shared optical elements. This reduces the number of separate adjustment points from multiple independent elements to a single deformable mirror that performs both functions, significantly simplifying alignment and maintenance procedures.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact design is implemented by reducing optical path length, then the apparatus size decreases, but the entrance angle with respect to concave mirrors increases, causing optical aberrations
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the wavefront correction and scanning functions into a single optical path, the patent enables a compact design where the deformable mirror is positioned to serve both purposes. This integration allows for shorter optical path lengths and a more compact apparatus while maintaining proper entrance angles through the unified optical design, avoiding the need for separate long optical paths.
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 results in a compact, cost-effective adaptive optical apparatus that is easier to adjust and maintain, capable of high-resolution imaging with reduced sensitivity to mirror alignment, suitable for ophthalmic applications such as SLO and OCT systems.
Implementation Method 1
a wavefront corrector such as a deformable mirror or spatial light modulator... for correcting wavefront aberrations
Implementation Method 2
first scanning means, arranged to be optically substantially conjugate to the wavefront correction means, for scanning light on an object
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive optical apparatus includes a wavefront correction unit configured to correct a wavefront aberration, a first scanning unit configured to be arranged to be optically almost conjugate to the wavefront correction unit, and scan light on an object in a first direction, a second scanning unit configured to be arranged to be optically almost conjugate to the wavefront correction unit, and scan light on the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and an optical element arranged in an optical path between the wavefront correction unit and the first scanning unit and arranged in an optical path between the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit.