Hyperspectral Sensor Metasurface Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hyperspectral imaging technologies face challenges in achieving high-resolution images while maintaining equipment miniaturization, with scanning methods providing high resolution but requiring long measurement times and non-scanning methods compromising image resolution for spectral resolution.
Innovation Solution
A hyperspectral image sensor utilizing a pixelated light-receiving sensor with a plurality of metasurfaces arranged in a stacking direction, including at least one random metasurface that forms a speckle pattern on the sensing surface, where the metasurfaces are designed to have a disordered phase delay distribution, with meta-atoms of varying sizes and positions to create a speckle pattern with sizes greater than the pixel size, allowing for high-resolution image acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If scanning-type hyperspectral measurement method is used, then high-resolution hyperspectral images can be obtained, but measurement time becomes long and equipment miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from scanning methods (1D temporal scanning) to a snapshot approach using stacked metasurfaces in the optical path (adding spatial dimensionality). By arranging multiple metasurfaces at different positions along the optical path, the system captures spectral information across multiple wavelengths simultaneously at each pixel, achieving both high resolution and short measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the spectral measurement function across multiple metasurfaces arranged in the optical path. Each metasurface handles a portion of the spectral range, and together they enable simultaneous multi-wavelength capture. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high spectral resolution while capturing all wavelengths at once rather than sequentially scanning through them.
2Loss of time
If non-scanning snapshot method is used, then measurement time is short and equipment is miniaturized, but image resolution deteriorates due to limited space for spectral resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space-resolution conflict by utilizing the optical path dimension. Instead of squeezing spectral resolution into the image plane (2D sensor surface), the metasurfaces are arranged along the optical path (adding a third dimension). This allows spectral information to be encoded in the optical path without consuming sensor pixel space, thereby maintaining high image resolution while achieving snapshot measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The metasurfaces act as an intermediary between the incident light and the sensor array. These intermediate optical elements modulate the light field to encode spectral information before it reaches the sensor, allowing the sensor to capture both spatial and spectral data simultaneously without requiring additional sensor space for spectral resolution.
3Device complexity
If non-scanning snapshot method is used, then equipment miniaturization is achieved, but spectral resolution is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves compact equipment size while maintaining spectral resolution by moving the spectral dispersion elements into the optical path rather than requiring large angular dispersion components. The stacked metasurfaces provide spectral resolution through path-length differences that can be implemented in a compact configuration, avoiding the need for large-scale prism or grating assemblies.
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 solution enables the generation of high-resolution hyperspectral images with improved spectral resolution and reduced measurement time, balancing equipment miniaturization and image quality by controlling the number and spacing of metasurfaces and the degree of disorder in the speckle pattern.
Implementation Method 1
a speckle pattern is formed on a sensing surface of the light-receiving sensor by the plurality of metasurfaces
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the plurality of metasurfaces is a random metasurface in which the meta-atoms are arranged to exhibit a disordered phase delay distribution
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a hyperspectral image sensor and a hyperspectral imaging system including the hyperspectral image sensor. The hyperspectral image sensor includes a light-receiving sensor that is pixelated, and a plurality of metasurfaces that are arranged in front of the light-receiving sensor apart from each other in a stacking direction, and each have an array of meta-atoms. At least one of the plurality of metasurfaces is a random metasurface in which the meta-atoms are disorderly arranged, and a speckle pattern is formed on a sensing surface of the light-receiving sensor by the plurality of metasurfaces.