Infrared Scene Projector Per-Pixel Spectral Polarization Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infrared scene projectors lack per-pixel control over optical effects such as wavelength, polarization, and phase, limiting their ability to simulate realistic infrared scenes for testing and calibration of infrared imaging sensors.
Innovation Solution
A scene projector system comprising an array of light emitting pixels with a tunable filter element and a spatial light modulator, allowing for per-pixel control of wavelength, polarization, and phase of emitted light, using a tunable Fabry-Perot filter and electrochromic materials to achieve precise optical control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional infrared scene projectors use arrays of small resistors or liquid crystal devices to control spectral content and intensity, then the system can generate simulated infrared scenes, but the system lacks per-pixel control of spectral content and polarization
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the optical control into separate functional modules: a tunable filter array for spectral control and a spatial light modulator for polarization and phase control. Each module operates independently at the pixel level, enabling per-pixel control of different optical parameters without requiring each pixel to integrate all control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial light modulator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls polarization state, phase, and amplitude of the infrared light. This multi-functional component reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each optical parameter, thereby managing system complexity while achieving versatile per-pixel control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems only control spectral content by varying temperature, then the system structure remains simple, but the spectral content is limited to black body radiation only
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a tunable filter array where each filter can be dynamically adjusted to select different spectral bands. This dynamic spectral selection capability allows the system to go beyond fixed black body radiation and achieve flexible, programmable spectral content control for each pixel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spectral parameter by using tunable filters that can be adjusted to different transmission characteristics. This allows independent control of spectral content without changing the temperature of the light source, enabling sophisticated spectral shaping while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system adds per-pixel control of polarization and phase using spatial light modulators, then the functionality for creating realistic scenes improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the polarization control and phase modulation functions into a single spatial light modulator component. This integration reduces the total number of separate components needed while maintaining full per-pixel control capability, as the SLM can simultaneously manipulate multiple optical parameters through its pixel array.
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
Enables the generation of realistic infrared scenes with precise control over optical effects, improving the calibration and testing of infrared imaging sensors by allowing for dynamic and varied optical patterns, enhancing the functionality and cost-effectiveness of infrared scene projection systems.
Implementation Method 1
a tunable filter element optically coupled to the array of light emitting pixels such that light emitted from the array of light emitting pixels is passed through the tunable filter element as filtered light
Implementation Method 2
a spatial light modulator optically coupled to the array of light emitting pixels and configured to generate transmitted light by interacting with the filtered light to control at least one of an amplitude, a phase, and a polarization of the filtered light
Implementation Method 3
the at least one optical pattern is a sub-wavelength grating configured to polarize the filtered light to produce polarized transmitted light
Implementation Method 4
the spatial light modulator comprises an electrochromic material
Implementation Method 5
the array of light emitting pixels are configured to emit light in a range of infrared wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
A scene projector including an array of light emitting pixels, a tunable filter element, and a spatial light modulator. The tunable filter element is optically coupled to the array of light emitting pixels such that light emitted from the array of light emitting pixels is passed through the tunable filter element as filtered light. The spatial light modulator is optically coupled to the array of light emitting pixels and is configured to generate transmitted light by interacting with the filtered light to control at least one of an amplitude, a phase, and a polarization of the filtered light.