Multi-pass Optical Imaging Device Using Polarization Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical imaging devices for portable electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, face challenges in achieving low F-number, short total length, and minimal optical elements while maintaining high image quality due to the weight and size constraints of long-focus objective lenses.
Innovation Solution
An optical multi-pass imaging device utilizing a combination of a wire grid polarizer, quarter wave plate, and cholesteric liquid crystal layer, which refracts, polarizes, and transmits light efficiently, reducing the number of optical elements and total length, and includes an aperture diaphragm and a sensor for high-resolution image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a long-focus objective lens is used to capture images at a distance, then the image quality and focal length are improved, but the weight and total length of the device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (refraction, polarization, wave conversion) into a single integrated optical element block. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate optical components needed, thereby reducing the overall weight and total length while maintaining the long-focus imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element block serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a lens for focusing, a polarizer for polarization control, and a wave plate for circular polarization conversion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing device weight and complexity
2Measurement precision
If a long-focus objective lens is used to capture images at a distance, then the image quality is improved, but the total length of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical elements (lens, polarizer, wave plate) into a single compact optical element block, significantly reducing the total length of the optical path while maintaining the long-focus imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses polarization and circular wave conversion to create additional optical paths and control mechanisms that allow for compact folding of the optical path, enabling long-focus imaging in a short physical distance
3Measurement precision
If multiple optical elements are used to achieve long-focus imaging, then the focal length is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (refraction, polarization, wave conversion) into a single integrated optical element block, reducing the number of separate optical components needed while maintaining long-focus imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element block serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a lens for focusing, a polarizer for polarization control, and a wave plate for circular polarization conversion, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components
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 a compact optical imaging device with reduced size and weight, achieving high-resolution image capture with minimal radiation signal loss and noise, while maintaining effective polarization properties within specified incidence angles.
Implementation Method 1
the WGP may be configured to transmit light of a first state of linear polarization and reflect light of a second state of linear polarization
Implementation Method 2
the QWP may be configured to convert the light of the first state of linear polarization to light of a first state of circular polarization
Implementation Method 3
the ChLC layer may be configured to reflect the light of the first state of circular polarization and transmit the light of the second state of circular polarization
Implementation Method 4
the at least one lens element is configured to refract light that is incident at a predetermined angle
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical multi-pass imaging device including an aperture diaphragm (AD), and an optical element block including a front surface facing an object on which the AD is disposed and a back surface facing an image plane, the optical element block being optically coupled with the AD, wherein the optical element block includes at least one lens element, a wire grid polarizer (WGP), a quarter wave plate (QWP), and a cholesteric liquid crystal (ChLC) layer, wherein the WGP, the at least one lens element, the QWP, and the ChLC layer are disposed to provide a predetermined multi-transmission of radiation light from an object side to the image plane.