Optical Lens Characterization for Digital Aberration Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for correcting optical aberrations in lenses are either time-consuming or imprecise, failing to account for manufacturing defects and interactions between optical elements.
Innovation Solution
A method for characterizing an optical lens using digital simulation to determine an aberration matrix based on geometric parameters of the lens's optical interfaces, allowing for precise correction of aberrations through digital modeling and optical wave propagation simulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical measurements are performed on each optical lens to determine the PSF, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates because the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy (virtual model) of the optical lens that replicates its optical characteristics. Instead of measuring each physical lens, a digital twin is generated from manufacturing data, allowing virtual measurements and PSF determination without handling the physical lens, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing manufacturing data during the lens fabrication process. This data is stored and used later to create the virtual model, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-manufacturing measurements while maintaining measurement accuracy through the pre-captured geometric and material parameters
2Manufacturing precision
If optical measurements are performed on each optical lens, then manufacturing precision is improved by accounting for individual lens characteristics, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement system (physical optical measurements on each lens) with a computational system. The virtual model uses ray tracing algorithms and wave propagation simulations to determine optical characteristics, substituting time-consuming physical measurements with faster computational processes while maintaining or improving precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for lens characterization from requiring physical measurement to using manufacturing parameters (geometric data, material properties) that are already captured during production. This parameter transformation enables individual lens characterization without the time penalty of physical measurements
3Productivity
If PSF values are measured for all optical lenses in a batch, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because individual lens specifics are not taken into account
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating individual virtual models for each lens based on its specific manufacturing data, rather than using a single batch-averaged model. Each lens gets customized correction parameters tailored to its unique characteristics, maintaining high precision while using efficient computational methods that don't require physical measurement of each lens
4Productivity
If PSF is estimated by calculation from individual parameters of optical elements, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because manufacturing parameters and interactions between optical elements are not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data sources (manufacturing geometric data, material properties, optical element interactions) into a comprehensive virtual model. This integrated approach combines the advantages of calculation speed with the accuracy of considering all manufacturing parameters and element interactions, resolving the contradiction between productivity and precision
Data Source
AI summary
A method for characterizing an optical lens that includes a stack of several optical elements and is intended to be associated with an image sensor for acquiring images, the method includingdetermining, by optical measurement on the stack of optical elements, at least one data set (JG), referred to as geometric set, including data relating to at least one geometric parameter of at least one buried optical interface of the lens,digitally modeling the optical lens according to the geometric set, anddetermining, by an optical wave propagation digital simulator applied to the digital model, at least one matrix, referred to as aberration matrix, representative of optical aberrations introduced by the optical lens in an image.Also disclosed is a characterization device, an image acquisition method and device, and an imaging apparatus implementing such a method.