Dichroic Mirror Imaging Correction for Narrow Wavelength Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dichroic mirrors struggle to accurately separate light with narrow wavelength widths and derive correct images due to changing optical characteristics with incident angle, leading to inaccurate wavelength derivation and image quality.
Innovation Solution
An imaging unit employing a separation optical element with an edge shift width, combined with reflection and imaging portions, and a processing unit to correct images based on optical characteristics, using correction data to account for wavelength-dependent transmittance and reflectance changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dichroic mirror with edge shift width is used to separate light having a narrow wavelength width, then the separation capability is improved, but the optical characteristics change according to incident angle causing inaccurate wavelength derivation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces correction data that characterizes the optical characteristics of the separation optical element across different incident angles and wavelengths. By storing and applying this correction data, the system compensates for the variations in transmittance and reflectance caused by incident angle changes, thereby maintaining accurate wavelength derivation while using the edge shift width dichroic mirror for narrow wavelength separation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a dichroic mirror with fixed transmittance (100% or 0%) is used, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the separation capability for narrow wavelength width light is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dichroic mirror with edge shift width, which has transmittance and reflectance that change according to wavelength. This allows the mirror to provide gradual transition in wavelength separation, enabling effective separation of narrow wavelength width light. The correction data is then used to compensate for the incident angle dependence of this gradual transition, achieving both improved separation capability and maintainable manufacturing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If correction data is stored and applied to correct images, then the wavelength derivation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-stores correction data that characterizes the optical characteristics of the separation optical element under various conditions (incident angles, wavelengths) before actual imaging. This preliminary preparation allows the correction to be applied efficiently during image processing without requiring complex real-time calculations, thereby improving wavelength derivation accuracy while limiting the increase in device complexity to mainly data storage and lookup operations.
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
Enables accurate derivation of light wavelengths and acquisition of appropriate images by correcting for optical characteristics and uneven colors, even with narrow wavelength separation, using a single imaging element.
Implementation Method 1
a separation optical element configured to separate light from an object by transmitting or reflecting the light according to wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
a reflection optical element configured to reflect one part of light either transmitted or reflected by the separation optical element
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement apparatus includes an inclined dichroic mirror configured to separate light from a sample by transmitting or reflecting the light according to wavelengths, a total reflection mirror configured to reflect one part of light either transmitted or reflected by the inclined dichroic mirror, an imaging element configured to photograph the other part of the light transmitted or reflected by the inclined dichroic mirror in a first imaging region and photograph light reflected by the total reflection mirror in a second imaging region different from the first imaging region, and a control apparatus configured to correct images photographed in the first imaging region and the second imaging region based on optical characteristics related to a change in transmittance and reflectance with respect to a wavelength in the inclined dichroic mirror.