Deformable Mirror Optical Distortion Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long integration time imagers in space-based and airborne systems face significant distortion issues due to orbit-induced changes, such as rotation, uniform scale changes, anamorphic expansion/compression, and diagonal stretches, which cause image smear and limit the integration time, especially in low light conditions, with existing solutions failing to address these distortions effectively without impacting image quality.
Innovation Solution
A beam imaging apparatus comprising two deformable mirrors and a beam-steering apparatus with multiple tiltable mirrors, configured to control optical distortions in five angular degrees of freedom, allowing for real-time correction of uniform scale, anamorphic, and diagonal distortions, while maintaining minimal root-mean-square wavefront error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If long integration time is used to improve image quality in low light conditions, then image quality improves, but orbit-induced distortion causes image smear that increases with distance from FOV center
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-applying distortion correction parameters before the imaging process. The system uses a lookup table (LUT) that contains pre-computed correction values for various orbital parameters, allowing the distortion correction to be applied in advance rather than requiring complex real-time calculations during image capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting distortion correction parameters based on measured orbital parameters. The system modifies scaling factors, rotation angles, and translation vectors according to the actual orbital state, enabling adaptive correction that maintains image quality across varying orbital conditions without requiring physical hardware changes.
2Shape
If distortion correction is applied to correct orbit-induced geometry changes, then image smear is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical distortion correction systems with a computational approach. Instead of using multiple movable mirrors or complex optical mechanisms to physically correct distortion, the system uses digital signal processing and coordinate transformation algorithms to correct distortion in the image data, significantly reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating and storing lookup tables (LUTs) that contain pre-computed distortion correction data. These LUTs are copied into the system and can be quickly referenced during operation, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations while maintaining correction accuracy.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple distortion terms are corrected simultaneously, then overall image quality improves, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by breaking down the distortion correction into separate, independent terms that can be processed individually. The system handles scaling, rotation, and translation corrections as separate computational steps, allowing for optimized processing of each term and reducing the overall computational burden compared to attempting to correct all distortions simultaneously in a single complex operation.
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
The solution effectively corrects all distortion terms to a level of 1% without significant impact on system wavefront error, thereby extending integration time and improving image quality by minimizing image smear, especially in low light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first deformable mirror, a second deformable mirror, and a beam-steering apparatus... configured to control deformation of a reflective surface of the first and the second deformable mirrors
Implementation Method 2
the first and the second deformable mirrors are configured to effect and change optical distortion of the beam-imaging apparatus
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An apparatus and method for effecting and changing optical distortions is disclosed in which the apparatus includes a beam imaging apparatus including a first deformable mirror(110), a second deformable mirror (120), and a beam-steering apparatus. The beam-steering apparatus includes a plurality of planar tiltable mirrors (150,155,160) arranged to define a radiation beam path therebetween, wherein the plurality of planar tiltable mirrors comprises at least three tiltable mirrors. A mirror drive system is configured to tilt each respective planar mirror (150,155,160) about its respective axis of rotation or axes of rotation and a controller is configured to control deformation of a reflective surface of the first and the second deformable mirrors.