Coherent Optical Fiber Bundle for In-Line Digital Holography
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In-line digital holographic microscopy faces limitations due to the presence of twin images and the lack of straightforward recorded optical phase information, which reduces the amount of recorded information and hinders quantitative phase contrast imaging, especially in miniaturized systems like lab-on-chip devices where compactness and speed are crucial.
Innovation Solution
The use of coherent optical fiber bundles as endoscopes to record in-line digital holograms, allowing for compact and miniaturized systems that can retrieve optical phase information by employing multiple wavelengths and illumination schemes, enabling the removal of twin images and improving resolution and accuracy in 3D measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If in-line holography is used for miniaturization, then device compactness is improved, but optical phase information is lost and twin images appear
Solution Approach 1:
A coherent fiber bundle is introduced as an intermediary component between the object and the sensor. The fiber bundle transmits both the reference beam and the object beam while maintaining their coherence relationships, enabling phase information preservation in a compact configuration. The fiber bundle acts as a flexible optical waveguide that preserves the interference pattern and phase data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple wavelengths (colors) of light to illuminate the object simultaneously. By using polychromatic illumination with specific wavelength combinations, the system encodes phase information into the interference pattern in a way that can be decoded during reconstruction. The wavelength diversity allows retrieval of optical path differences that would otherwise be lost.
2Device complexity
If in-line holography is used without lens, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of phase information
Solution Approach 1:
The coherent fiber bundle serves as an intermediary that maintains the optical path coherence without requiring complex lens systems. By transmitting the interference pattern through the fiber bundle to a sensor, the system achieves phase information preservation with minimal optical components, maintaining low device complexity while improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Using multiple wavelengths changes the interference pattern parameters in a controlled way that encodes phase information. The different wavelengths create distinct interference patterns that can be mathematically combined to extract quantitative phase data, improving measurement precision without adding complex optical elements.
3Device complexity
If single wavelength illumination is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but information completeness is reduced due to twin image interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter by using multiple colors of light simultaneously. Each wavelength produces its own interference pattern with different fringe spacing and phase characteristics. By combining these patterns and using appropriate reconstruction algorithms, the system can separate the object information from the twin image interference, completing the information retrieval while maintaining simple illumination hardware.
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 enhances the miniaturization of holographic systems, improves the retrieval of optical phase information, and increases the accuracy of 3D measurements, overcoming limitations in existing in-line holography by providing higher resolution and enabling 'in situ' measurements without disturbing experimental processes.
Implementation Method 1
The use of coherent optical fiber bundles as endoscopes to record in-line digital holograms
Implementation Method 2
The diffracted beam by the object (object beam) interferes with the surrounding un-diffracted beam (reference beam) on a recording plane
Implementation Method 3
The diffracted beam by the object (object beam)
Implementation Method 4
employing multiple wavelengths and illumination schemes, enabling the removal of twin images and improving resolution and accuracy in 3D measurements
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The present invention is related to an holographic probe device for recording gabor hologram comprising: a coherent optical fiber bundle comprising a distal end and a proximal end; a recording medium optically coupled to the proximal end of the coherent optical fiber bundle; a light source producing in use a single light beam, illuminating the distal end of the coherent optical fiber bundle and the object to be observed.