Metasurface Pattern Projector for Compact Depth Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional structured light and ToF sensors utilize diffractive optical elements (DOEs) that result in a thick structure due to their combination with lenses, limiting their practical applications.
Innovation Solution
A pattern projector incorporating a laser source and a metasurface that diffracts laser beams to form patterns on a projected surface, utilizing a thinner metasurface instead of a DOE combined with a lens, allowing for a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a diffractive optical element (DOE) combined with a lens is used to form light patterns, then the structured light sensor or ToF sensor can obtain depth data, but the device structure becomes thick
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lens component from the traditional DOE-lens combination, using only the metasurface to perform both the optical focusing and diffraction functions that were previously separated into two components, thereby eliminating the thickness contribution of the lens while maintaining depth measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the DOE and the lens into a single integrated metasurface structure, where the metasurface simultaneously provides the diffraction pattern generation and optical focusing capabilities, reducing the overall device thickness while maintaining measurement precision
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
The thinner structure of the metasurface-based pattern projector enables a more compact and versatile device capable of forming various patterns, including dot and line patterns, while maintaining functionality comparable to traditional DOE-lens systems.
Implementation Method 1
The metasurface is disposed on a path of the laser beam and configured to diffract the laser beam onto a projected surface
Data Source
AI summary
A pattern projector including a laser source, a metasurface, and a light sensor is provided. The laser source is configured to emit a laser beam. The metasurface is disposed on a path of the laser beam and configured to diffract the laser beam onto a projected surface, so as to form a pattern on the projected surface. The light sensor is disposed beside the metasurface and configured to sense the pattern.