Color-Coded Polarization Particle Size and Reflectivity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining particle properties, such as size and reflectivity, require two separate images recorded under different lighting conditions, which are time-consuming and prone to errors due to specimen shifts during image comparison.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing color-coded polarization to illuminate particles, allowing a single RGB color image to contain information on both size and type by combining linearly polarized light with different polarization directions and unpolarized or partially polarized light, enabling simultaneous deduction of particle sizes and reflectivity from color and spatial information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two separate images are recorded under different lighting conditions (crossed polarized and parallel polarized light), then particle properties such as size and reflectivity can be determined, but the measurement process becomes time-consuming and prone to errors due to specimen shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple polarization states (crossed polarized and parallel polarized light) into a single illumination setup using a light source that emits light with different polarization directions simultaneously. This allows both particle size and reflectivity information to be captured in one image, eliminating the need for sequential imaging and reducing measurement time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces color coding as an additional dimension to encode polarization information. By assigning different colors to different polarization states in the single image, the system preserves the ability to distinguish between crossed and parallel polarized light effects, enabling accurate particle property determination without requiring multiple separate images.
2Loss of information
If two separate images are recorded under different lighting conditions, then complete particle characterization is achieved, but errors occur due to specimen shifts during image comparison
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the information from what would traditionally require two separate images into a single image by using color-coded polarization. The single image contains both the morphological information (from crossed polarized light component) and reflectivity information (from parallel polarized light component) simultaneously, eliminating specimen shift errors that occur during sequential imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color coding to represent different polarization states within the single image. Different colors correspond to different polarization directions, allowing the system to maintain complete particle characterization information while capturing everything in one shot, thus preventing errors from specimen movement between images.
3Productivity
If a single image is used to determine particle properties, then measurement time is reduced, but information on both size and reflectivity cannot be obtained simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to encode different polarization states that carry different particle property information. By assigning specific colors to specific polarization directions, the system can extract both particle size information (from one polarization component) and reflectivity information (from another polarization component) from the color data in a single image, maintaining complete characterization while achieving fast measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the color dimension to the single image to carry multiple types of information simultaneously. The color channel becomes an additional dimension that encodes polarization state information, allowing the system to retrieve both size and reflectivity properties from what would otherwise be a single-channel image, thus maintaining information completeness while improving speed.
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 simplifies the characterization of particles by eliminating the need for a second image and reduces errors caused by specimen shifts, providing accurate size and type identification from a single image.
Implementation Method 1
light with color-coded polarization to illuminate the particle preparations... light must comprise components of different polarizations in a distinguishable manner
Implementation Method 2
part of the color spectrum of the illuminating light is linearly polarized, and another part of the spectrum is linearly polarized in a different direction
Implementation Method 3
light reflected by the particles to be investigated, is guided through an analyzer... light reflected by a particle preparation onto the at least one matrix image sensor
Implementation Method 4
analyzer that has a linear polarization filter, the polarization direction, or respectively polarization plane, of which is at a 90° angle to the polarization plane
Implementation Method 5
at least one imaging device with at least one color-resolving matrix image sensor... determine size information from the color- and spatially-resolved image information
Data Source
AI summary
A device, a method and a system for optically determining particle properties, in particular size and reflectivity. The device includes at least one light source assembly having at least one light source, a polarizer assembly, at least one sample holder—which can be illuminated by the least one light source assembly—for accommodating particle preparations to be investigated, at least one analyzer assembly, and at least one imaging device with at least one color-resolving matrix image sensor. The device is designed to guide light reflected by a particle preparation and having a color-coded polarization to the at least one matrix image sensor.