Meta-lens Spectrometer for Compact High-Resolution Imaging

Solution Overview

Problem

Current hyperspectral imaging systems face challenges in achieving high spatial and spectral resolution while maintaining a compact form factor, low weight, and low power consumption, which is essential for applications such as solar phenomena study and space weather monitoring.

Innovation Solution

The use of a meta-optics lens with a wavelength-dependent point spread function, combined with computational postprocessing, enables the extraction of spectral information from light. This system transforms light associated with a scene, allowing for the determination of mathematical properties dependent on wavelengths, and subsequently generates images based on spectrum information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pushbroom systems are used to achieve high spectral resolution, then spectral resolution is improved, but size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral resolutionVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical optics (bulky glass lenses and prisms) with a metasurface-based optical system. The metasurface is a planar structure that performs spectral dispersion and focusing functions using sub-wavelength structures, eliminating the need for heavy bulk optical components while achieving high spectral resolution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and arrangement of optical elements from three-dimensional bulk optics to two-dimensional planar metasurfaces. By controlling the geometry, material properties, and phase characteristics of sub-wavelength structures, the system achieves high spectral resolution in a compact form factor with reduced weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If pushbroom systems are used to achieve high spectral resolution, then spectral resolution is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral resolutionVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical optics (bulky glass lenses and prisms) with a metasurface-based optical system. The metasurface is a planar structure that performs spectral dispersion and focusing functions using sub-wavelength structures, eliminating the need for heavy bulk optical components while achieving high spectral resolution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from three-dimensional bulk optical systems to two-dimensional planar metasurfaces. The optical functions are encoded in the phase and amplitude characteristics of sub-wavelength structures within the planar layer, achieving compact integration while maintaining high spectral resolution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Weight of stationary object

If snapshot systems are used to reduce size and weight, then SWaP is improved, but spatial and spectral data quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem weightVSAvoidspatial and spectral data quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical optics (bulky glass lenses and prisms) with a metasurface-based optical system. The metasurface is a planar structure that performs spectral dispersion and focusing functions using sub-wavelength structures, eliminating the need for heavy bulk optical components while achieving high spectral resolution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs metasurfaces that combine multiple optical functions (spectral dispersion, focusing, and spatial encoding) within a single planar structure. This composite approach integrates multiple optical elements into one compact component, achieving both reduced SWaP and maintained data quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 approach allows for high spatial and spectral resolution imaging while reducing the size, weight, and power consumption of the imaging system, making it suitable for various applications including remote sensing and space weather monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

the meta-optics lens is configured to receive light associated with a scene and output transformed light. A value of at least one mathematical property of the transformed light is dependent upon a set of wavelengths associated with the light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChromatic dispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS12270705B2Optical meta-lens spectrometer to analyze spectral characteristics of light

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 TUNOPTIX INC

AI summary

In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a meta-optics lens having a point spread function. The meta-optics lens is configured to receive light associated with a scene and output transformed light. At least one value of at least one mathematical property of the transformed light is dependent upon a set of wavelengths associated with the transformed light. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to receive a representation of the transformed light. The processor is further configured to determine the at least one value of the at least one mathematical property of the transformed light using the representation of the transformed light. The processor is further configured to determine spectrum information associated with the scene based on the at least one value and the point spread function.