Low-Coherence Interferometer Layout for Stable Field-of-View Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional low coherence interferometer imaging systems face challenges in maintaining imaging depth position stability when replacing optical elements or objective lenses, particularly in portable designs like handheld probes, due to variations in optical path length and coherence length, leading to operational inconveniences and image intensity issues.
Innovation Solution
A low coherence interferometer imaging system with a design that includes a beam splitting element, multiple reference ends, and optical imaging modules arranged in a serially connected manner at the sample end, allowing swift switching between imaging fields of view without changing the overall system volume or replacing optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical elements or objective lenses are replaced in the original optical imaging module, then imaging field of view can be changed, but imaging depth position changes due to optical path length variations
Solution Approach 1:
The reference end is divided into multiple segments (first reference end, second reference end, etc.), each with different optical path lengths. This segmentation allows the system to select different reference end segments corresponding to different objective lenses, thereby compensating for optical path length variations and maintaining imaging depth position stability when switching between imaging fields of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical path length parameter of the reference end by selecting different reference end segments. This parameter change compensates for the optical path length variations introduced by different objective lenses, maintaining consistent imaging depth position across different imaging fields of view.
2Device complexity
If a single reference end with fixed length is used, then the system structure is simple, but imaging depth position changes when replacing optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The reference end is segmented into multiple fixed-length sections (first reference end, second reference end, etc.), where each segment corresponds to a specific imaging field of view. This segmentation enables the system to maintain simple fixed-length reference end structures while achieving adaptability across multiple imaging fields of view through selective segment usage.
3Measurement precision
If a single reference end with variable length is used, then imaging depth position can be maintained, but adjustment is required when replacing optical elements leading to operational inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a variable-length reference end requiring adjustment, the system segments the reference end into multiple fixed-length sections. Each section is pre-configured to match specific optical elements, eliminating the need for adjustment operations when replacing optical elements while maintaining imaging depth position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference end segments are pre-configured with specific optical path lengths that correspond to different objective lenses before use. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for real-time adjustment when replacing optical elements, improving operational convenience while maintaining imaging depth position stability.
4Measurement precision
If multiple reference ends with different optical path lengths are configured, then imaging depth position stability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference end is segmented into multiple fixed-length sections arranged in a structured manner, where each segment corresponds to a specific imaging field of view. This segmentation approach maintains imaging depth position stability while organizing the system complexity in a manageable and systematic way.
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 efficient switching between imaging fields of view while maintaining imaging depth position stability, even in compact or complex optical element arrangements, by serially connecting optical imaging modules to reduce system volume and minimize operational disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a first beam splitting element disposed on an optical path of the reference beam and configured to generate a plurality of sub-reference beams after the reference beam passes through the first beam splitting element
Implementation Method 2
The reflected sub-reference beams and the reflected object beam form a plurality of interference signals through the imaging engine
Data Source
AI summary
A low coherence interferometer imaging system includes an imaging engine generating a reference beam and an object beam, a first beam splitting element, reference ends, a sample end, and optical imaging modules arranged at the sample end. The first beam splitting element is disposed on an optical path of the reference beam and generates sub-reference beams after the reference beam passes through the first beam splitting element. The reflected sub-reference beams and the reflected object beam form interference signals through the imaging engine. The imaging engine generates images after analyzing the interference signals. One optical imaging module is first arranged at the sample end; the remaining optical imaging modules are sequentially arranged at the sample end in an optical-path series manner so that the images exhibit distinct imaging fields of view before and after the optical imaging module is arranged and when arrangement parameters of the imaging engine remain unchanged.