Fresnel Hologram Cross-Section Imaging Using Incoherent Light Diffraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-dimensional imaging techniques, such as holography, range-finding, and tomography, face limitations including the need for active illumination, complex optical arrangements, and sensitivity to optical axis variations, leading to poor quality images with low resolution and fidelity.
Innovation Solution
A novel apparatus that captures a hologram of an object's cross-section using incoherent light and a single radiation propagation axis, employing a diffractive electromagnetic radiation assembly and an image capture assembly to produce a Fresnel hologram without requiring active illumination or complex optical setups, allowing for stationary object and apparatus operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional three-dimensional imaging techniques (holography, range-finding, tomography) are used, then three-dimensional information can be captured, but the system requires active illumination sources and complex optical arrangements, leading to increased device complexity and sensitivity to optical axis variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the requirement for active illumination sources by using passive incoherent light from the object itself. The system captures three-dimensional information without needing external light sources, mirrors, or complex optical assemblies, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a holographic copy of the object's cross-section using incoherent light diffraction. The captured image contains encoded three-dimensional information that can be reconstructed without requiring the original complex optical setup or active illumination, enabling simplified replication of the imaging function
2Loss of information
If conventional holography techniques are used, then three-dimensional information can be captured, but the system requires coherent light sources and precise optical alignment, increasing sensitivity to optical axis variations and reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the light coherence parameter from coherent to incoherent. This parameter change eliminates the need for precise optical alignment and sensitivity to optical axis variations, while still capturing complete three-dimensional information through diffraction patterns of incoherent light
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the object's own incoherent light emission or reflection as the illumination source, eliminating the need for external coherent light sources and complex alignment mechanisms. The object serves its own lighting function, making the system easier to operate without sensitive alignment requirements
3Productivity
If conventional imaging techniques are used, then images can be captured, but the system produces poor quality images with low resolution, indicating insufficient measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional image capture to three-dimensional information encoding in a single captured image. By capturing holographic interference patterns that encode depth and spatial information in addition to intensity, the system achieves high-resolution three-dimensional imaging without requiring multiple images or complex post-processing
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 apparatus achieves high-quality three-dimensional imaging with improved resolution and reduced sensitivity to optical axis variations, enabling the capture of three-dimensional information in a single image with low light intensity and without the need for active illumination or complex optical arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic radiation assembly configured to receive a received electromagnetic radiation from the object, diffract the received electromagnetic radiation, and transmit a diffracted electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
employing a diffractive electromagnetic radiation assembly and an image capture assembly to produce a Fresnel hologram
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method to produce a hologram of a cross-section of an object includes an electromagnetic radiation assembly configured to receive a received electromagnetic radiation, such as light, from the object. The electromagnetic radiation assembly is further configured to diffract the received electromagnetic radiation and transmit a diffracted electromagnetic radiation. An image capture assembly is configured to capture an image of the diffracted electromagnetic radiation and produce the hologram of the cross-section of the object from the captured image. The hologram of the cross-section includes information regarding a single cross-section of the object.