Adaptive Optics Wavefront Sensor Correspondence Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adaptive optics systems face challenges in accurately specifying the correspondence relation between converging spots and regions on a spatial light modulator, leading to degraded wavefront distortion compensation precision, especially when aberrations are large, and existing solutions increase the number of components and light loss.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a spatial light modulator and wavefront sensor that detects light intensity distributions with both compensating and non-linear phase patterns to accurately specify converging spots, allowing precise wavefront distortion compensation without additional components or increased light loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional wavefront sensor methods are used, then measurement capability is maintained, but correspondence relation specification becomes inaccurate when aberrations are large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrespondence relation specification accuracyVSAvoidaberration range handling capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining multiple candidate correspondence relations between lenses and regions before actual wavefront measurement. When large aberrations occur causing converging spots to move outside expected regions, the system can quickly select from pre-prepared correspondence relations rather than attempting real-time recalculation, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy across a wider aberration range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the correspondence relation between lenses and regions adjustable and selectable based on the actual wavefront conditions. The system dynamically chooses appropriate correspondence relations from multiple candidates depending on the measured aberration magnitude, allowing the system to adapt to varying optical conditions rather than relying on a fixed correspondence mapping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If additional components are added to improve correspondence specification, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and light loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconverging spot detection accuracyVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating virtual correspondence relations between lenses and regions through computational methods rather than physical mapping components. Multiple candidate correspondence relations are generated and stored, allowing the system to select the appropriate mapping based on wavefront conditions without adding physical components such as additional lenses, mirrors, or mechanical mapping devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical or optical mapping mechanisms with computational methods. Instead of using physical components to establish correspondence between lenses and regions, the system uses algorithms to calculate and select appropriate correspondence relations from pre-generated candidates, substituting mechanical complexity with information processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method enables precise compensation of larger wavefront distortions by accurately specifying the correspondence relation between converging spots and modulation surface regions, maintaining high precision while minimizing component increase and light loss.

Implementation Method 1

a wavefront sensor (so-called Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor) that includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged lenses and adopts a scheme of measuring the wavefront based on positional displacement from the reference position of the converging spot formed by each lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLens focusing: Lens

Implementation Method 2

a spatial light modulator configured to spatially modulate a phase of an optical image incident on a modulation surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentUS9519141B2Correspondence relation specifying method for adaptive optics system, adaptive optics system, and storage medium storing program for adaptive optics system
Publication Date: 2016.12.13 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • US9519141B2 patent drawing
  • US9519141B2 patent drawing
  • US9519141B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An adaptive optics system includes a spatial light modulator configured to spatially modulate a phase of an optical image incident on a modulation surface including N two-dimensionally arranged regions and a wavefront sensor including a lens array having N two-dimensionally arranged lenses corresponding to the N regions and an optical detection element for detecting a light intensity distribution including M converging spots formed by the lens array and configured to receive the optical image after the modulation from the spatial light modulator, and compensates for the wavefront distortion by controlling a phase pattern displayed in the spatial light modulator based on a wavefront shape of the optical image obtained from the light intensity distribution, wherein a correspondence relation between the region of the spatial light modulator and the converging spot formed in the wavefront sensor is specified while the compensation for the wavefront distortion is executed.