NRQD Grating and Grism for 4D Multi-Plane Broadband Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D imaging systems face challenges in achieving high temporal resolution and simultaneous multi-plane broadband imaging due to limitations in diffraction order dispersion and chromatic correction, particularly in microscopy and other applications requiring high photon flux and chromatic accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The development of an analytically-designed non-reentrant quadratically distorted (NRQD) grating and grism combination, which corrects chromatic dispersion and improves image quality by using a MATHEMATICA ray-path model to customize grism parameters, enabling 4D multi-plane broadband imaging that captures multi-colour images from multiple object planes onto a single image plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a DOE-based multi-focus lens is used to perform simultaneous three-plane imaging, then spatial resolution is improved, but chromatic dispersion increases and limits the incident spectral bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
A grism (grating-prism combination) is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the object and the DOE. The grism pre-disperses the incident broadband light and corrects chromatic dispersion, allowing the DOE to function effectively across a broader spectral bandwidth while maintaining image resolution. This mediator resolves the conflict between resolution and spectral adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by replacing the conventional lens system with a grating-prism-grating (grism) combination. This parameter change enables chromatic correction through diffraction and refraction, allowing the system to maintain focus across multiple wavelengths simultaneously, thus expanding spectral bandwidth without sacrificing resolution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If chromatic correction schemes are implemented to manipulate polychromatic incident beams, then spectral bandwidth is improved, but device complexity increases and limits practical application
Solution Approach 1:
The grism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a dispersive element, a chromatic correction device, and a beam steering component. By combining the grating and prism into a single integrated element, the system achieves chromatic correction for broadband imaging without requiring separate complex adjustment mechanisms, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining spectral versatility.
3Productivity
If non-zero diffraction orders are used for multi-plane imaging, then simultaneous multi-plane imaging capability is improved, but chromatic dispersion increases and reduces photon flux
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional refractive lens system with a diffractive optical element (DOE) based system. This substitution enables the use of non-zero diffraction orders for multi-plane imaging, where each diffraction order focuses light from a different object plane. The grism compensates for chromatic dispersion in these orders, maintaining photon flux efficiency while achieving simultaneous multi-plane imaging capability.
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 solution enhances temporal resolution without compromising spatial resolution, allowing for the first successful simultaneous recording of 4D wavefront information across multiple object and image planes with improved image quality and compatibility with various techniques like microscopy, astronomical optics, and biomedical imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a diffractive optical element (DOE) in the form of an off-axis Fresnel zone plate can be utilized to perform simultaneous three-plane imaging
Implementation Method 2
The DOE, which behaves like a multi-focus 'lens' but utilizes the principle of diffraction instead of refraction
Implementation Method 3
due to the inherent dispersion property of non-zero diffraction orders, this DOE based technique had to be narrow-band to limit the incident spectral bandwidth and thus chromatic dispersion
Implementation Method 4
a lens system (with a single or multiple lenses)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a four-dimensional (4D: 3D+time) multi-plane broadband imaging apparatus capable of recording 3D multi-plane and multi-colour images simultaneously. The apparatus includes: one or more non-reentry quadratically distorted (NRQD) gratings which can produce a focal length and a spatial position corresponding to each diffraction order, thus simultaneously transmitting wavefront information between multiple object/image planes and a single image/object plane; a grism system which can limit chromatically-induced lateral smearing by creating a collimated beam in which the spectral components are laterally displaced; a lens system which is configured to adjust the optical path; and the optical detector(s). In an optical system, the multiple object/image planes, the lens system, the grism system, the NRQD grating(s), the optical detector(s) and the single image/object plane are located on the same optical axis. This simple, easy-to-use and compact apparatus can meet many different requirements and serve a large range of high throughput applications.