Imaging System Resolving Power Characterization via Directional PSF Slicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for characterizing the resolving power of imaging systems are inadequate as they assume symmetry and do not account for optical degradation, leading to inaccurate assessments of an imaging system's ability to distinguish between close objects.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of point spread function (PSF) samples, co-registration of pixel values, resampling to uniform spacing, and evaluation in specific directions to determine a resolution metric, providing a more accurate characterization of the imaging system's resolving power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If current methods assume symmetry of resolving power, then analysis is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccuracy in assessing imaging system's ability to distinguish close objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by evaluating the point spread function along multiple different directions rather than assuming symmetry. The method slices the PSF image in multiple directions and evaluates each slice independently to determine resolution metrics, thereby capturing the asymmetric nature of optical degradation and distortion in the imaging system.
2Device complexity
If current methods assume uniform resolving power irrespective of object positioning, then analysis is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to failure to account for positional variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining resolution metrics specific to different directions and positions in the field of view. The method evaluates the point spread function at multiple locations and orientations, producing direction-specific resolution values that reflect the local varying quality of the imaging system rather than a single uniform value.
3Device complexity
If current methods do not account for optical degradation over time, then measurement process remains simple, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to track changing resolving power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling repeated measurements of the point spread function at different times to track changes in resolving power. The method allows for temporal characterization of optical degradation by comparing resolution metrics obtained at different operational stages, thereby capturing the dynamic nature of imaging system performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of characterizing an imaging system includes generating a plurality of point spread function (“PSF”) samples using the imaging system, each PSF sample representing a response of an imaging system to a point illumination source, each PSF sample comprising one or more pixel values. The method also includes co-registering the pixel values contained in each of the plurality of PSF samples to form an oversampled point spread function (“PSF”) population; resampling the oversampled PSF population to uniform spacing to form a PSF image; slicing the PSF image in an evaluation direction to form a slice of the PSF image; and evaluating the slice to determine a value of a resolution metric of the imaging system that is specific to the evaluation direction.