Modular Optical Processing System with Shared SLMs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical processing systems are limited in their ability to efficiently utilize hardware resources, leading to a need for multiple optical correlators to achieve high performance, which increases complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A modular optical processing system that re-uses optical hardware across multiple optical paths, allowing for the creation of multiple independent optical correlators within a single system by using shared input and filter SLMs and cameras, with methods to determine the corresponding SLM pair for each correlation peak, enabling a quadratic increase in performance with additional modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple independent optical correlators are implemented to achieve high performance, then processing speed and productivity are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent optical correlators into a single integrated system by sharing common optical hardware components including the laser source, collimating optics, input SLM, filter SLM, and detecting element. This consolidation allows multiple correlation operations to be performed simultaneously through different optical paths defined by beam splitters and mirrors, achieving high processing speed without proportionally increasing system complexity or cost
Solution Approach 2:
The shared optical components serve multiple functions: the input SLM and filter SLM are reused across multiple optical paths, the laser source provides coherent light for all correlators, and the detecting element captures outputs from multiple correlation operations. This multi-functionality enables the system to perform multiple correlation tasks with a single set of hardware, improving productivity while controlling complexity
2Productivity
If multiple independent optical correlators are implemented to achieve high performance, then processing efficiency is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple correlator functions into a single physical system by merging shared hardware resources. Instead of implementing N separate correlators requiring N laser sources, N input SLMs, N filter SLMs, and N detectors, the system uses one of each component shared across multiple optical paths, dramatically reducing the quantity of hardware required while maintaining high processing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Each shared component is designed to serve multiple correlator paths simultaneously. The input SLM displays patterns for multiple correlators, the filter SLM provides filtering for multiple paths, and the detecting element captures outputs from all correlation operations. This universal usage maximizes the utilization of each hardware component, improving processing efficiency without proportionally increasing hardware quantity or cost
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 significantly enhances processing speed and efficiency, allowing for faster sequence identification and augmented high-performance computing, while maintaining system robustness and accuracy through the use of a solid block configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a laser or other coherent source is typically employed to be modulated in either phase or amplitude, or a combination of the two by one or more spatial light modulator (SLM) devices
Implementation Method 2
a laser or other coherent source is typically employed to be modulated in either phase or amplitude, or a combination of the two by one or more spatial light modulator (SLM) devices
Implementation Method 3
The modulated beam is then passed through a positive converging lens 3, of focal length f and focussed in the back focal plane of the lens, where a detector such as a CMOS array 4 is positioned to capture the intensity of the resulting Fourier transform
Implementation Method 4
The OFT may be achieved by the optical system shown in Figure 1 where collimated coherent light of wavelength λ (typically laser light) 1 is modulated in phase or amplitude by a Spatial Light Modulator 2 (typically a liquid crystal or electro-mechanical MEMs array). The modulated beam is then passed through a positive converging lens 3, of focal length f and focussed in the back focal plane of the lens
Implementation Method 5
The beam splitting element is configured to split the optical input into two orthogonal directions and wherein two of said spatial light modulator devices are orthogonal to one another
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method to incorporate multiple independent optical correlators into one system. By "independent optical correlator," we mean an optical correlator comprising of an input SLM, filter SLM, and camera, combined with appropriate coherent illumination and Fourier transforming lenses. By "one system" we mean a single optical system which utilises the elements of each of the independent correlators multiple times.