Annular Zone Optical Component for Wavefront Coding Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Wavefront Coding (WFC) technologies amplify electrical noise during signal processing, leading to image degradation in optical systems.
Innovation Solution
An optical component with multiple annular zones that provide a predetermined phase to light flux, where the surface closer to the inner circumference is substantially equal in area to the surface closer to the outer circumference, and the tangent at the outer circumferential end is equal to the tangent at the inner circumferential end, reducing light diffusion and blurring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional phase plate with annular zones is used in WFC, then depth of focus is expanded, but electrical noise is amplified during signal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each annular zone's inner and outer surfaces have equal areas, creating a specific local geometric property that balances light distribution. This local geometric constraint ensures that light from different radial positions contributes equally to the point spread function, reducing the need for aggressive signal processing and thereby suppressing electrical noise amplification while maintaining expanded depth of focus
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the cross-sectional shape of annular zones by ensuring the tangent inclinations at inner and outer circumferential ends are equal, creating a symmetric slope pattern that balances optical path differences. This controlled asymmetry in the phase profile optimizes the point spread function shape, reducing blurring effects and minimizing the amplification of electrical noise during restoration processing
2Duration of action of stationary object
If signal processing is applied to remove PSF blurring, then depth of field is expanded, but image quality degrades due to noise amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-shaping the point spread function through the specific annular zone geometry before image capture. The equal area and equal tangent inclination constraints are designed to create a point spread function with reduced blurring characteristics, so that less aggressive deconvolution processing is needed, thereby preserving image quality and reducing noise amplification in the final image
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 design suppresses electrical noise amplification, maintaining a large depth of focus while producing clear images with reduced blurring and signal amplification, comparable to conventional phase plates.
Implementation Method 1
an optical component including multiple annular zones which provide a predetermined phase to a light flux passing through an optical system
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical component including multiple annular zones that each provides a predetermined phase to a light flux passing through an optical system, where for each of the annular zones, the surface closer to the inner circumference of the optical component is substantially equal in area to the surface closer to the outer circumference thereof, and in a cross section in the radial direction of the optical component, the tangent at an outer circumferential end of each annular zone is substantially equal in inclination to the tangent at an inner circumferential end thereof.