Optical Imaging Device Using Broadened Pulse Lasers for Spectral Image Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hyperspectral imaging devices face challenges in efficiently generating high-quality spectral images with improved throughput and reliability, particularly in scanning objects in a direction perpendicular to the line extension of the hyperspectral image.
Innovation Solution
The optical imaging device incorporates a pulse generator to produce broadened pulse lasers, which are then used in conjunction with an optical assembly and a light receiver to generate spectral image sets. This device includes a pulse expander, an objective lens, and an intensified charged coupled device (ICCD) to capture and process the reflected pulse lasers, enabling the creation of three-dimensional hypercubes of spectral images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If scanning is performed in a direction perpendicular to the line extension of the hyperspectral image, then measurement precision is improved, but inspection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulsed laser illumination instead of continuous scanning, where multiple spectral images are captured in rapid succession using time-gated detection. This periodic action allows the system to acquire complete spectral information for multiple wavelengths within a single illumination cycle, dramatically reducing inspection time while maintaining measurement precision through the time-resolved detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the time dimension as an additional measurement axis by using time-gated detection with pulsed lasers. Instead of scanning spatially in one dimension, the system captures spectral information across multiple wavelengths simultaneously by resolving signals in the time domain, effectively adding a temporal dimension to the measurement process and eliminating the need for perpendicular scanning.
2Measurement precision
If multiple spectral images are obtained through scanning, then spectral image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with a stationary optical configuration using pulsed laser illumination and time-gated detection. Instead of moving mirrors, galvanometers, or scanning stages, the system uses temporal gating to select specific wavelength bands from the reflected pulsed signal. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while maintaining the ability to acquire multiple spectral images through electronic timing control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate time-gating mechanism that acts as a mediator between the pulsed laser illumination and the detector. This time gate selectively passes signals within specific time windows corresponding to different wavelength bands, enabling spectral discrimination without mechanical scanning. The time gate serves as an intermediary that simplifies the overall system architecture by replacing complex spatial scanning mechanisms with temporal filtering.
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 device achieves improved measurement performance by quickly obtaining multiple spectral images of an object with reduced inspection time, while maintaining high image quality and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a pulse expander configured to receive a pulse laser from the pulse generating device, and generate a broadened pulse laser by expanding a spectrum and width of the received pulse laser
Implementation Method 2
an objective lens configured to receive the broadened pulse laser and pass the received broadened pulse laser to a target object
Implementation Method 3
an intensified charged coupled device (ICCD) configured to receive a reflected pulse laser corresponding to the broadened pulse laser reflected from the target object and convert the reflected pulse laser into a first electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging device includes a pulse generator including a pulse generating device configured to generate pulse lasers and a pulse expander configured to receive a pulse laser from the pulse generating device, and generate a broadened pulse laser by expanding a spectrum and width of the received pulse laser, an optical assembly including an objective lens configured to receive the broadened pulse laser and pass the received broadened pulse laser to a target object, and a light receiver including a light receiving device configured to receive a reflected pulse laser corresponding to the broadened pulse laser reflected from the target object and convert the reflected pulse laser into an electrical signal, and at least one processor configured to generate a spectral image set based on the electrical signal generated by the light receiving device.