Imaging System Polarization Pulse Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-speed imaging methods face challenges in shortening the frame interval due to temporal overlap of light pulses with different wavelengths, leading to motion blur in captured images.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system and method utilizing a light source, polarization control unit, and optical pulse shaping unit to generate pulsed light with different polarization directions, allowing for shorter time differences between light pulses without band limitation, enabling further reduction in frame interval and minimizing motion blur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the time difference between light pulses is shortened to achieve high-speed imaging, then the frame interval is reduced, but temporal overlap of light pulses occurs causing motion blur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter used to distinguish light pulses from wavelength to polarization direction. By using polarized light with different polarization directions instead of light with different wavelengths, the system avoids the band limitation that causes temporal waveform extension. This allows the time difference between pulses to be shortened without causing motion blur, as polarized light components are not subject to the same spectral constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a polarization separation mechanism as an intermediary to distinguish between multiple light pulses. Instead of relying on wavelength-based spectral separation, the system uses polarization-based separation with polarizing beam splitters to direct different polarized light components to different imaging paths. This intermediary mechanism enables precise temporal separation of pulses without the waveform extension problems associated with wavelength-based methods.
2Loss of information
If wavelength-based light pulse separation is used, then spectral components can be distinguished, but band limitation causes temporal waveform extension
Solution Approach 1:
The invention fundamentally changes the distinguishing parameter from wavelength to polarization direction. By using polarized light where each pulse has a distinct polarization direction (e.g., horizontal, vertical, diagonal), the system achieves wavelength discrimination without the band limitation constraints. This allows maintaining short pulse durations while still enabling clear distinction between different light pulse components through polarization-based separation.
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 imaging system achieves a shorter frame interval without motion blur by separating pulsed light components based on polarization directions, allowing for more precise imaging with extremely short time intervals.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization control unit for rotating a polarization plane of the initial pulsed light
Implementation Method 2
a light separation element for separating the first pulsed light and the second pulsed light reflected by or transmitted through the imaging object on the basis of the polarization directions
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes a light source for outputting initial pulsed light, a polarization control unit for rotating a polarization plane of the initial pulsed light, an optical pulse shaping unit for inputting the initial pulsed light with the rotated polarization plane, and outputting first pulsed light Lp1 having a first polarization direction and second pulsed light Lp2 having a second polarization direction different from the first polarization direction with a time, an irradiation optical system for irradiating an imaging object with the pulsed light Lp1 and the pulsed light Lp2, a light separation element for separating the pulsed light Lp1 and the pulsed light Lp2 reflected by or transmitted through the imaging object on the basis of the polarization directions, an imaging unit for imaging the pulsed light Lp1, and an imaging unit for imaging the pulsed light Lp2.