Photonic Integrated Circuit Multi-Angle Illumination for Digital Holography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital holographic microscopy technologies are limited by single-angle illumination, fixed wavelength light, and inability to adjust image resolution, which restricts the quality and versatility of images obtained.
Innovation Solution
A digital holographic microscope equipped with a photonic integrated circuit that includes a branching waveguide and a multi-angle illumination device, such as an optical phased array, allowing for multi-angle illumination and wavelength tuning, along with a phase modulator to adjust the light beam's phase and angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If single-angle illumination is used to simplify the imaging system, then device complexity is reduced, but image resolution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple independent light sources, each emitting at a specific angle. This allows the system to achieve multi-angle illumination capability while maintaining modularity and manageable complexity in each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is designed with multi-functional capability to perform both single-angle and multi-angle illumination modes. This universal design allows the same device to adapt to different imaging requirements without needing separate specialized systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between complexity and performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed wavelength light is used to simplify the light source, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different objects is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is designed with dynamic wavelength tuning capability, allowing it to adapt its emission wavelength based on the imaging requirements. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize performance for different object sizes and properties while using a single versatile light source rather than multiple fixed-wavelength sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of the light source to match the imaging requirements for different objects. By adjusting this physical parameter, the device achieves versatility across various imaging applications without requiring complex multi-source configurations.
3Measurement precision
If normal resolution imaging is used to reduce processing requirements, then use of energy is reduced, but image quality is insufficient for detailed analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial multi-angle illumination by selectively activating only the necessary number of light sources required to achieve the desired resolution level. This approach provides sufficient imaging quality for detailed analysis while avoiding the excessive energy consumption that would result from using all available angles simultaneously.
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 configuration enables the creation of high-resolution digital holographic images by illuminating objects at multiple angles and adjusting the wavelength of light according to the object's size, thereby improving image clarity and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
The multi-angle illumination device includes an optical phased array that includes a plurality of light emitters. The photonic integrated circuit includes a phase modulator configured to change a phase of light passing through the branching waveguide and change an angle of a superposed light beam emitted from the multi-angle illumination device
Implementation Method 2
The multi-angle illumination device includes a grating coupler
Implementation Method 3
The multi-angle illumination device includes a planar lens
Implementation Method 4
The light source is a wavelength sweeping laser or a wavelength tuning laser. The light source is configured to emit light at a plurality of different wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
A digital holographic microscope that includes a light source and a photonic integrated circuit. The photonic integrated circuit can include a branching waveguide optically coupled to the light source, and a multi-angle illumination device optically coupled to the branching waveguide. In various examples, the multi-angle illumination device includes an optical phased array that includes a plurality of light emitters. In various examples, the multi-angle illumination device includes a grating coupler.