Morpho Photonic Broadband Camera Core for Night Vision
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional night vision goggles using image intensifier tubes and uncooled thermal sensors have limitations such as no multi-spectral sensing, low bandwidth, and inability to achieve higher performance due to thermal time constants, resulting in limited frame rates and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A broadband camera core utilizing morpho photonic structures with nanostructures that generate thermal gradients, combined with a CMOS silicon imager, white light source, and re-imaging optics to create a thermal sensor capable of multi-spectral imaging, achieving higher frame rates and improved image quality across SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional image intensifier tubes and uncooled thermal sensors are used, then the device structure is simple and易于制造, but multi-spectral sensing capability is lost and frame rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The morpho photonic structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a diffraction grating for spectral separation, a thermal sensor for detecting thermal gradients, and an optical element for image formation. This single multi-functional component enables SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR sensing capabilities that would otherwise require separate specialized sensors for each spectral band.
Solution Approach 2:
The morpho photonic structure combines organic photonic crystal materials with inorganic nanodot arrays to create a composite structure that exhibits both optical diffraction properties and thermal sensing capabilities. This composite approach enables simultaneous multi-spectral detection across SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR bands while maintaining structural integrity and sensing performance.
2Productivity
If uncooled thermal sensors are used, then the device is compact and power consumption is low, but frame rate is limited due to thermal time constants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental sensing parameter from measuring absolute temperature (traditional thermal sensors) to measuring thermal gradients (rate of temperature change). This parameter transformation allows the system to respond to rapid thermal changes at high frame rates (100-200 Hz) without being constrained by the thermal time constants that limit conventional uncooled thermal sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The morpho photonic structure utilizes optical vibration and wave interference principles where incident infrared radiation creates dynamic diffraction patterns through thermal gradient-induced refractive index changes. This optical-mechanical coupling enables high-frequency response (100-200 Hz frame rates) by detecting rapid thermal fluctuations through optical diffraction rather than direct thermal measurement.
3Temperature
If image intensifier tubes are used, then night vision capability is achieved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical vacuum tube system of traditional image intensifiers with a planar photonic crystal structure that can be fabricated using semiconductor processing techniques. This substitution eliminates the need for vacuum seals, electron optics, and microchannel plates, reducing the device to a thin-film structure compatible with standard CMOS imaging platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The morpho photonic structure replicates the natural photonic crystal structures found in Morpho butterfly wings, which naturally exhibit structural color and optical interference effects. By copying this biological structure, the patent achieves sophisticated optical functionality (spectral separation, diffraction, and thermal sensing) in a miniaturized form factor that is lightweight and compatible with wearable goggle applications.
4Measurement precision
If traditional thermal sensors are used, then thermal imaging is achieved, but image resolution and signal-to-noise ratio are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The morpho photonic structure acts as an optical intermediary that converts thermal gradient information into optical diffraction patterns. Incident infrared radiation creates thermal gradients within the photonic crystal structure, which modulate the diffraction of visible light. This intermediary conversion process translates subtle thermal signals into enhanced optical contrast that can be detected with high precision by standard CMOS sensors, improving signal-to-noise ratio and 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 solution enables high-resolution, multi-spectral imaging with frame rates up to 200 Hz, reduced noise equivalent temperature difference, and compact form factor, suitable for night vision goggles, allowing for real-time scanning and detection of chemical fingerprints and covert aiming lights.
Implementation Method 1
the morpho photonic structure being configured to generate a plurality of thermal gradients when exposed to thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
nanostructures for forming an optical diffraction grating
Implementation Method 3
when exposed to white light only reflects a color corresponding to a matching thermal gradient
Implementation Method 4
re-imaging optics for collecting reflected color light and re-imaging onto a CMOS silicon imager
Data Source
AI summary
The system and method for using morpho photonic structures to form small, lightweight imagers for use with SWIR, MWIR and LWIR. In some cases, the morpho photonic structure imagers are used in googles. The morpho photonic structure imagers have a frame rate ranging from 100 Hz to 200 Hz. In some cases, using a cluster of short wave infrared, mid wave infrared, and long wave infrared sensors to form a multi-spectral image is used to scan for chemical fingerprints.