Adaptive Optics Image Segmentation for Atmospheric Turbulence Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices with adaptive optics can only correct image distortions within a small field of view due to the limitations of the isoplanatic angle, resulting in a partial area of the image being in focus while the rest remains blurred, especially when the field of view is larger than the isoplanatic angle.
Innovation Solution
The method involves subdividing the image field into isoplanatic sub-areas, using a tip/tilt mirror to shift the beam axis and correct individual images within the isoplanatic angle, and combining these corrected images to form a sharp overall image, allowing for turbulence correction and field of view shifting independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adaptive optics is used to correct wavefront disturbances, then image quality is improved within a small field of view, but the field of view remains limited by the isoplanatic angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large field of view into multiple smaller isoplanatic patches, each of which can be corrected by the adaptive optics system. The deformable mirror is controlled to correct wavefront errors for one patch at a time, and the corrected patches are later combined to form a complete corrected image of the entire field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the deformable mirror to sequentially correct different regions of the field of view. The system rapidly switches between correcting different isoplanatic patches within the atmospheric coherence time, creating a dynamic correction process that covers the entire field of view over time.
2Area of moving object
If the field of view is expanded beyond the isoplanatic angle, then more of the object is visible, but image correction becomes impossible for the extended area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the extended field of view into multiple isoplanatic sub-fields, each small enough to be corrected by the adaptive optics. This segmentation allows the system to maintain correction capability while expanding the total observable area by processing multiple segments sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the time dimension to the correction process by sequentially correcting different spatial regions. Instead of attempting to correct the entire field simultaneously, the system corrects one isoplanatic patch after another within the atmospheric coherence time, effectively using temporal sequencing to overcome spatial limitations.
3Area of moving object
If multiple adaptive optics systems are used to correct different field sections, then the field of view is expanded, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single adaptive optics system multi-functional by enabling it to correct multiple different regions of the field of view sequentially. The same deformable mirror and wavefront sensor are used to correct each isoplanatic patch, eliminating the need for multiple separate adaptive optics systems while achieving the same overall effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfiguration of the optical path using fast steering mirrors or beam switching mechanisms that redirect light from different field regions to the wavefront sensor sequentially. This dynamic switching allows one adaptive optics system to serve multiple spatial regions without requiring duplicate hardware for each region.
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 approach enables the generation of a corrected overall image of an extended object even when the field of view exceeds the isoplanatic angle, providing a clear and focused image of large-area targets in real-time by shifting and correcting multiple image sections within the atmospheric time constant.
Implementation Method 1
adaptive optics based on the passing of the atmosphere compensates for disturbances in the wave fronts of the optical signals caused by fluctuations in the refractive index in the air
Implementation Method 2
a mirror (tip/tilt mirror) which can be controlled by electronics and can be tilted about at least two axes arranged perpendicular to one another, for shifting the beam axis of the decoupled from the beam splitter light beam on the wavefront sensor
Implementation Method 3
at least one wavefront sensor to measure the remaining disturbances of the wavefront
Implementation Method 4
a deformable mirror to compensate for the atmospheric wavefront disturbances (phase disturbances)... with which the deformable mirror is controlled in such a way that a corrected wavefront results
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for receiving and processing the optical signals coming from an extended object (4) by means of an optical device (5), which comprises an adaptive optical unit and which compensates for the disturbances of the wave fronts of the optical signals that occur during the passage through the atmosphere due to fluctuations in the index of refraction of the air, wherein the adaptive optical unit contains at least one deformable mirror (9) for compensating for the atmospheric wave-front disturbances, downstream of which a beam splitter (11) is arranged, from which a first light beam bundle (12) enters an observation apparatus (14) and by means of which a second light beam bundle (15) is coupled out and fed to at least one wave-front sensor (16) for measuring the remaining disturbances of the wave front, wherein the signals of the wave-front sensor (16) are converted into control signals and fed to the deformable mirror (9) by means of an online computer (17). In order to produce a corrected whole image of an extended object even if the visual field with which the optical device (5) sees the whole object (4) is substantially greater than the visual field section determined by the isoplanatic angle, according to the invention the image field of the optical device is divided into individual image field sections that are connected to one another, the dimensions of each of the image field sections being specified by the isoplanatic angle. A corrected whole image of the object is then produced by combining the individual image field sections or the partial images depicted in the image field sections.