Hyperspectral Imaging With Polarization-Sensitive Microstructures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hyperspectral cameras combined with polarization sensors result in a complex device configuration, complicating the acquisition of both spectral and polarization information.
Innovation Solution
A hyperspectral imaging device with a simple configuration that includes an optical element featuring a transparent substrate with microstructures and a signal processing unit, which separates and convolutes point spread functions for each polarized light component, enabling simultaneous acquisition of polarization and spectral information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an existing hyperspectral camera is combined with an existing polarization image sensor, then both spectral and polarization information can be acquired, but the device configuration becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hyperspectral imaging function and polarization sensing function into a single integrated device. The optical element incorporates both spectral dispersion capability and polarization-sensitive microstructures, allowing simultaneous acquisition of both types of information through one imaging path rather than combining separate cameras and sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a spectral dispersing element and a polarization-sensitive element. The microstructures on the optical element can differentiate polarized light components while the overall system maintains hyperspectral imaging capability, making one component perform multiple functions that previously required separate devices
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 achieves a simple device configuration capable of acquiring polarization information while maintaining high accuracy in spectral imaging, utilizing compression sensing and signal processing to reconstruct images.
Implementation Method 1
the optical element forms an image in which a point spread function of each wavelength is convoluted on a plurality of pixels corresponding to each polarized light component depending on polarized light components by outputting light in a state in which the optical element has different point spread functions for respective wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes an optical element including a transparent substrate, and a plurality of structures disposed on or in the transparent substrate in a plane direction of the transparent substrate, an imaging element in which a plurality of pixels including photoelectric conversion elements are disposed, and a signal processing unit configured to generate an image signal based on an electrical signal acquired from the imaging element, wherein the optical element forms an image in which a point spread function of each wavelength is convoluted on a plurality of pixels corresponding to each polarized light component depending on polarized light components by outputting light in a state in which the optical element has different point spread functions for respective wavelengths, the plurality of structures have the same height in a side view, and the signal processing unit reconstructs an image in which a point spread function is convoluted.