Dichroic Mirror Array Layout for Compact Multi-Color Spectral Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spectral imaging devices using dichroic mirrors are large, complex, and expensive, with a maximum of four splits and colors, and face challenges in achieving independent measurement of overlapping images due to limited aperture width and optical-path length differences.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with a dichroic-mirror array disposed closer to the image sensor than the condensing lens, arrayed perpendicular to the optical axis, allowing for m-split, m-color imaging without overlapping images, using a right-handed XYZ-orthogonal-coordinate system to optimize light utilization and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional spectral imaging devices use dichroic mirrors arranged with condensing lens closer to sample, then light utilization efficiency is improved, but device size becomes large and structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional optical arrangement by placing the dichroic mirror array closer to the image sensor and removing the condensing lens, while the conventional arrangement places the condensing lens closer to the sample. This inversion simplifies the device structure while maintaining high light utilization efficiency through the direct imaging configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the condensing lens from the optical system, relying on the dichroic mirror array itself to perform the imaging function. This elimination of unnecessary components reduces device complexity and size while maintaining the core functionality of spectral imaging with multiple wavelength bands.
2Volume of moving object
If conventional devices arrange dichroic mirrors with limited aperture width, then device size is reduced, but images overlap and cannot be independently measured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the dichroic mirrors in an array configuration where mirrors are positioned at different locations in the optical path, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions to separate the optical paths for different wavelength bands. This dimensional arrangement prevents image overlap while maintaining a compact device footprint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional devices achieve four-split, four-color imaging, then spectral information is obtained, but adding more splits and colors becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into multiple independent dichroic mirror units, each handling a specific wavelength band. This modular segmentation allows for easy expansion from four splits to five or more splits by simply adding more dichroic mirror elements to the array, without fundamentally changing the optical path management approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The dichroic mirror array configuration serves multiple functions simultaneously: it splits light into multiple wavelength bands, forms separate images for each band, and maintains compact device size. This multi-functionality enables the system to handle five or more color channels while managing optical paths efficiently through the unified array structure.
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 device enables small, simple, and low-cost spectral imaging with five or more colors, achieving high light utilization efficiency and independent measurement of split images, suitable for various scientific and industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
a dichroic-mirror array in which m dichroic mirrors are arrayed... an image of a measurement region of the sample is split into m images having different wavelength components
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device in which a two-dimensionally distributed sample, a single condensing lens, a dichroic-mirror array in which plural dichroic mirrors are arrayed, and an image sensor are lined up in this order along an optical axis of the condensing lens, a direction in which plural dichroic mirrors are arrayed is perpendicular to the optical axis, an image of a measurement region on the sample is split into plural images having different wavelength components by the dichroic-mirror array and measured by the image sensor, and the dichroic-mirror array is closer to the image sensor than the condensing lens.