Hybrid Phase Mask Imaging for Compact Lensless Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems require space for lenses and focal lengths, limiting their compactness and efficiency, while lensless systems face challenges in image quality due to the use of random phase functions.
Innovation Solution
A phase mask with a hybrid phase function, combining a lens phase and a random phase, is used to reconstruct images, along with an image sensor and reconstruction algorithm, to enhance image quality and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a lens is used in the imaging system, then image quality is improved, but the system volume and complexity increase due to required focal length space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lens component from the imaging system, replacing it with a lensless configuration that uses a phase mask and computational algorithms to achieve image formation without requiring focal length space, thereby reducing system volume while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical system (lens) with a computational approach using a phase mask and image reconstruction algorithms, substituting physical optical components with a combination of optical modulation and digital processing to achieve image formation in a compact configuration
2Volume of moving object
If a random phase function is used in lensless imaging, then system compactness is improved, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase function parameters from purely random to a structured form that includes both random and deterministic components, optimizing the phase distribution to improve image reconstruction quality while maintaining the compact lensless configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite phase function combining random and structured components, analogous to composite materials, where the random portion provides diffusion and the structured portion provides imaging information, achieving both compactness and improved image quality
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 hybrid phase function improves image reconstruction performance, achieving compact imaging systems with high light efficiency and image quality comparable to traditional lens-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
a phase mask including a phase modulation meta surface coded with an image reconstruction phase function configured to reconstruct an image
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor configured to convert light, transmitted through the phase mask from an object, into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an imaging system including a phase mask including a phase modulation meta surface coded with an image reconstruction phase function configured to reconstruct an image, the image reconstruction phase function being obtained by adding a first phase function corresponding to a lens phase to a second phase function which is a random function, and an image sensor configured to convert light, transmitted through the phase mask from an object, into an electrical signal.