Coded Aperture Mask for High-Resolution Non-Diffracting Radiation Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging devices employing non-diffracting or refracting radiation sources face limitations in achieving high spatial resolution due to limited radiation intensity, leading to poor image resolution, particularly in biomedical imaging where sources like neutrons have insufficient intensity, making it difficult to focus beams effectively.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system utilizing a coded aperture mask with multiple pinholes is employed to encode and decode radiation, enhancing collection efficiency and allowing for the generation of multiple planar or three-dimensional images of objects, even with low-intensity radiation sources, by digitally reconstructing encoded images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single pinhole aperture is used, then spatial resolution is maintained, but radiation collection efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is divided into multiple pinholes arranged in a coded pattern rather than using a single pinhole. This segmentation allows multiple radiation paths to reach the detector while maintaining spatial resolution through computational decoding of the coded aperture pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
A coded aperture mask with a specific pattern serves as an intermediary between the radiation source and detector. This mask encodes spatial information in a way that can be decoded computationally, enabling both high resolution and efficient radiation collection.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple pinholes are used in a coded aperture system, then radiation collection efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coded aperture mask serves multiple functions: it acts as a radiation filter, an encoding device, and a spatial modulator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system design despite the complex aperture pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex mechanical focusing systems are replaced with a static coded aperture mask combined with computational decoding. This substitution eliminates the need for moving parts and complex mechanical alignment while achieving similar or better performance.
3Ease of operation
If non-diffracting radiation sources are used, then beam focusing becomes difficult, but spatial resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The coded aperture mask acts as an intermediary that enables focusing of non-diffracting radiation through computational methods. The mask encodes spatial information that can be decoded to achieve high spatial resolution without requiring traditional beam focusing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical beam focusing systems are replaced with a coded aperture approach combined with computational decoding. This substitution allows focusing of non-diffracting radiation without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system employing a coded aperture mask having multiple pinholes is provided. The coded aperture mask is placed at a radiation source to pass the radiation through. The radiation impinges on, and passes through an object, which alters the radiation by absorption and/or scattering. Upon passing through the object, the radiation is detected at a detector plane to form an encoded image, which includes information on the absorption and/or scattering caused by the material and structural attributes of the object. The encoded image is decoded to provide a reconstructed image of the object. Because the coded aperture mask includes multiple pinholes, the radiation intensity is greater than a comparable system employing a single pinhole, thereby enabling a higher resolution. Further, the decoding of the encoded image can be performed to generate multiple images of the object at different distances from the detector plane. Methods and programs for operating the imaging system are also disclosed.