Light Detection Device Polarizer Array Depth Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light detection systems face limitations in measuring the coherence or phase of light, particularly in achieving sufficient depth resolution for diagnosing small biological objects, due to the complexity of configurations and limitations in time division width, which restricts the resolution in the depth direction.
Innovation Solution
A light detection device with a polarizer array and a light coupling layer comprising alternating low- and high-refractive-index layers with gratings, where the polarizer array includes regions that transmit and block light polarized in specific directions, allowing for improved resolution by detecting S and P polarization components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional light detection systems use time division method to measure light coherence, then depth resolution can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and the measurement precision is limited by time division width
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical time-division method with an optical polarization-based simultaneous detection system. By using a polarizer array with orthogonal polarization components (S and P polarizations) and corresponding gratings, the system captures depth information from both polarizations simultaneously in a single measurement, eliminating the need for mechanical time-division scanning while achieving comparable or superior depth resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension (polarization dimension) for encoding depth information. Instead of using time-division as the sole dimension for depth measurement, the system utilizes the polarization state of light as an additional dimension, allowing depth information to be extracted from the interference patterns of orthogonally polarized components without temporal separation
2Measurement precision
If conventional systems increase time division width to improve depth resolution, then measurement precision improves, but the loss of time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the sequential time-division measurement approach with a parallel optical measurement approach. By detecting S and P polarization components simultaneously through a polarizer array, the system achieves the same depth resolution without the time penalty inherent in sequential measurements, thereby eliminating the time-loss-tradeoff
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection of S and P polarization components into a single simultaneous measurement process. Instead of separating measurements in time, the system combines both polarization detections in space using a polarizer array, allowing depth information from both components to be acquired at the same moment, thus eliminating the time multiplication effect
3Measurement precision
If conventional light detection systems use simple detector configuration, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision of light coherence is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional detection system where the polarizer array serves multiple purposes: it separates polarization components, enables interference pattern formation, and provides depth encoding. The same optical path and detector array simultaneously measure both S and P polarization interference patterns, achieving enhanced coherence measurement precision without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a polarizer array as an intermediary optical element that enables precise coherence measurement. This intermediary component separates and directs orthogonally polarized light components to form interference patterns that encode depth information, allowing the simple detector array to extract high-precision coherence data through the mediating optical processing
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
This configuration enhances the resolution of light detection by acquiring two types of scattering information, thereby improving the detection of light coherence and increasing the depth resolution, allowing for more precise analysis of biological objects without the need for time division.
Implementation Method 1
a light coupling layer disposed on or above the light detector, the light coupling layer including a first low-refractive-index layer, a first high-refractive-index layer that is disposed on the first low-refractive-index layer and includes a first grating and a second grating
Implementation Method 2
a first high-refractive-index layer that is disposed on the first low-refractive-index layer and includes a first grating and a second grating adjacent to the first grating
Implementation Method 3
a polarizer array disposed on the light coupling layer. The polarizer array includes a first polarizer that transmits light polarized in one direction and a second polarizer that is adjacent to the first polarizer and blocks the light polarized in the one direction
Implementation Method 4
a light detector that has a main surface and includes a first detector and a second detector that are both disposed along the main surface
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection device includes a light detector including a first detector and a second detector; a light coupling layer disposed on or above the light detector; and a polarizer array that is disposed on the light coupling layer. The light coupling layer includes a first low-refractive-index layer, a first high-refractive-index layer including a first grating and a second grating adjacent to the first grating, and a second low-refractive-index layer in this order. The polarizer array includes a first polarizer that transmits light polarized in one direction and a second polarizer that is adjacent to the first polarizer and blocks the light polarized in the one direction. The first grating and the first polarizer face the first detector, and the second grating and the second polarizer face the second detector.