Plenoptic Imaging with a Virtual Intermediate Image for 3D X-Ray Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plenoptic imaging devices, particularly in the X-ray domain, suffer from limited lateral, longitudinal, and angular resolutions due to the small numerical aperture of X-ray optics, complicating 3D reconstruction of partially transparent samples.
Innovation Solution
A plenoptic imaging device configuration where the object is placed between the object focal plane and the main lens, forming a virtual image on the side of the main lens, with a main optical assembly focusing rays at a distance less than the object focal length, and a light-field-sampling assembly to acquire spatio-directional information, improving lateral, longitudinal, and angular resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the object is placed at a distance greater than the object focal length (conventional configuration), then the intermediate image is formed directly in the microlens array plane, but the lateral, longitudinal, and angular resolutions are limited due to small numerical aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional optical configuration by placing the object at a distance less than the object focal length, creating a virtual intermediate image instead of a real one. This inversion allows the microlens array to be positioned in a virtual image plane, fundamentally changing how light rays are sampled and improving resolution metrics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the object distance parameter from being greater than the focal length (conventional) to less than the focal length (invention). This parameter change transforms the optical system from forming real images to forming virtual images, thereby increasing the numerical aperture and improving lateral, longitudinal, and angular resolutions.
2Measurement precision
If the microlens array is placed in the real image plane (conventional configuration), then the spatial components are sampled directly, but the angular resolution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual intermediate image as an intermediary between the object and the microlens array. This virtual image plane serves as a mediator that allows the microlens array to sample both spatial and angular information more effectively, improving angular resolution while preserving spatio-directional information.
3Measurement precision
If the object distance is increased to reduce complexity, then the numerical aperture decreases, but the resolution improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the relationship between object distance and resolution by placing the object closer than the focal length. This creates a virtual image that increases the numerical aperture, thereby improving longitudinal resolution without requiring a longer optical path or more complex device configuration.
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
Enhances lateral, longitudinal, and angular resolution, and depth of field, making 3D reconstruction of X-ray samples more feasible by increasing the object numerical aperture and optimizing device geometry.
Implementation Method 1
a main optical assembly, arranged to focus rays of the light field of said object
Implementation Method 2
The microlens array 101 allows spatial components to be separated from angular components
Data Source
AI summary
A plenoptic imaging device for forming an image of the light field of an object, includes a sample holder suitable for holding the object; a main optical assembly, arranged to focus rays of the light field of the object, at a distance z0, referred to as the object distance, from the sample holder, which distance is smaller than an object focal distance f1 from the main optical assembly so as to form an intermediate optical image (Iv) of the object in an intermediate image plane at a distance z1 from the optical assembly; an assembly for sampling the light field, which assembly is suitable for acquiring spatiodirectional information on the rays forming the virtual image and for forming the image of the light field.