Optical Imaging System Using Random Light Field Spatial Structure Engineering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging techniques through scattering media suffer from low efficiency for dynamic objects, limited imaging range due to optical memory effects, and require measurement of the point spread function of the optical system.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging system based on random light field spatial structure engineering, which includes a scattering assembly, a beam polarization splitting assembly, an optical measurement assembly, and a calculation unit. This system measures the intensity distribution of polarized light and calculates the cross spectral density to retrieve the intensity distribution of the scattering medium, determining the shape and location of the object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wavefront shaping technique is used for imaging through scattering medium, then imaging capability is achieved, but imaging efficiency is low and real-time performance is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wavefront shaping process with a statistical optical approach. Instead of physically manipulating wavefronts through complex optical elements and iterative adjustments, the invention uses random scattering media combined with statistical analysis of intensity fluctuations to achieve imaging, thereby eliminating the time-consuming mechanical adjustment process and enabling real-time imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter approach from controlling wavefront phase (in wavefront shaping) to analyzing intensity statistics (in the proposed method). By measuring intensity correlations at different time delays and applying statistical analysis, the system achieves imaging without the need for slow mechanical wavefront modulation, thus improving imaging efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If scattering imaging technique based on optical memory effect is used, then imaging through scattering medium is achieved, but imaging range is limited by optical memory effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not trying to preserve the optical memory effect limitations, but rather by using temporal intensity fluctuations that occur beyond the memory effect range. Instead of relying on static speckle patterns, the method analyzes dynamic intensity correlations at various time delays, enabling imaging of objects larger than the traditional optical memory effect limit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the time dimension to the imaging process by measuring intensity correlations at different time delays. This temporal dimension allows the system to overcome the spatial limitations of the optical memory effect, extending the imaging range to include larger objects that would otherwise be beyond the correlation length of the scattering medium.
3Measurement precision
If point spread function engineering imaging technique is used, then imaging through scattering medium is achieved, but measurement of point spread function is required and stability of scattering medium must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the scattering medium to serve itself by utilizing its inherent temporal fluctuations rather than requiring external measurement and characterization. The random scattering medium naturally produces time-varying intensity patterns that contain the imaging information, eliminating the need for separate point spread function measurements and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary statistical analysis of the scattered light intensity fluctuations to extract imaging information directly, without needing to first measure and store the point spread function. By analyzing temporal correlations in the intensity data, the system achieves imaging while avoiding the additional measurement steps and stability requirements of traditional point spread function engineering methods.
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
Enables quick imaging of dynamic objects without limitations from optical memory effects and without the need to measure the point spread function of the optical system, thereby improving imaging efficiency and range.
Implementation Method 1
a scattering assembly configured to scatter a beam transmitted through free space via a scattering medium to obtain light to be measured
Implementation Method 2
a first beam polarization splitting assembly configured to split the polarization of the light to be measured, in which one light beam to be measured is split into x-polarized light and y-polarized light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging system and a method based on spatial structure engineering of random light are disclosed. The method includes performing scattering processing on transmitted light to obtain a to-be-measured light; splitting polarization of the to-be-measured light. One light is split into x-polarized and y-polarized beams, and the other one is firstly combined with a reference beam and then split into x-polarized and y-polarized beams; measuring the intensity distributions of x-polarized and y-polarized parts of the to-be-measured light, the combined light, and the reference light; obtaining a real part and an imaginary part of the cross spectral density of the to-be-measured light, retrieving the intensity distribution of the light on the scattering medium and calculating the intensity to obtain the shape and location of the object to be measured.