Dynamic Relay Lens Correction for Multispectral Chromatic Aberration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multispectral imaging systems face challenges in achieving high-quality image cubes due to chromatic aberrations and other optical defects, especially when operating over a wide range of wavelengths, which complicates accurate focusing and magnification, and often requires complex and costly optical designs.
Innovation Solution
A multispectral imaging system that dynamically corrects for chromatic errors by adjusting the position of lens components using mechanical actuators, allowing for high-quality imagery across a wide wavelength range without the need for complex optical designs, and can be used with various objectives or image-forming systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If reflective optics or apochromatic lenses are used to reduce chromatic aberrations, then image quality improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic correction by adjusting the position of relay lens elements based on the selected wavelength band. Instead of using complex static optical designs like apochromatic lenses, the system dynamically compensates for chromatic aberrations (focus shift and lateral color) by moving lens components to predetermined positions corresponding to different wavelengths, thereby resolving the contradiction between image quality and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters (lens element positions) dynamically according to the operating wavelength. By adjusting the position parameters of relay lens elements to predetermined values for different wavelength bands, the system compensates for chromatic aberrations without requiring complex optical designs, thus improving image quality while maintaining simpler device structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If a relay lens is used to relay images and provide magnification, then system versatility improves, but chromatic aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the relay lens dynamic by enabling adjustment of lens element positions based on wavelength selection. This dynamic capability allows the relay lens to compensate for its own chromatic aberrations and those introduced by coupled objectives, maintaining image quality while preserving the versatility benefit of using relay lenses for image relaying and magnification
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional objectives designed for photographic or visual imaging are used, then ease of manufacture improves, but suitability for high-performance multispectral imaging decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the relay lens with dynamically adjustable elements as an intermediary between the conventional objective and the detector. This intermediary component compensates for chromatic aberrations introduced by objectives not specifically designed for multispectral imaging, allowing the use of readily available conventional objectives while achieving high optical quality in the final image
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 enables high-quality multispectral imaging with reduced chromatic aberrations, maintaining accurate focusing and magnification across wavelengths, and can be implemented without significant increases in cost or complexity, making it more economical and robust than existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength selection element configured to select a wavelength band for transmission through the optical system
Implementation Method 2
an imaging detector configured to detect an image formed by the optical system at a second location
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
Disclosed herein arc multispectral detection methods and systems that can be used with image-forming optics configured to form an image of a sample. The systems include: (a) an imaging detector; (b) relay optics that include multiple optical elements, the relay optics positioned to relay the image formed by the image-forming optics to the imaging detector; (c) an actuator coupled to one of the optical elements in the relay optics and configured to adjust a position of the coupled optical element; and (d) control electronics configured to cause the actuator to adjust the position of the coupled optical element in the relay optics in response to a wavelength band selection by a wavelength selection element positioned to select one wavelength band for the image from among two or more wavelength bands within an overall wavelength range.