Proximity Focus Imaging Interferometer Compact Focal Plane Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Fabry-Perot interferometers are spatially separated from the focal plane, requiring additional optics and leading to large, costly, and power-intensive spectral imaging systems, especially for thermal infrared applications, with low signal levels and the need for cryogenic cooling.
Innovation Solution
A compact Fabry-Perot interferometer is positioned in close proximity to a focal plane array detector, eliminating the need for ancillary optics and using piezoelectric actuators to adjust the optical gap, thereby improving detection sensitivity and reducing system size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional Fabry-Perot interferometer is spatially separated from the focal plane, then imaging quality can be maintained, but the system size increases and requires additional optics
Solution Approach 1:
The interferometer is merged with the focal plane by positioning it in close proximity, eliminating the need for separate imaging optics and reducing overall system volume while maintaining imaging quality through direct coupling to the detector array
Solution Approach 2:
The interferometer structure serves multiple functions: it performs spectral interference measurement while also acting as the imaging element itself, eliminating the need for separate imaging optics and reducing system complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If additional imaging optics are added between the interferometer and focal plane, then imaging quality is maintained, but system weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interferometer is directly coupled to the focal plane array, merging the spectral measurement function with the imaging function, thereby eliminating additional imaging optics and reducing system weight
Solution Approach 2:
The unnecessary intermediate imaging optics are extracted/removed from the system by using the interferometer itself as the imaging element, reducing weight while maintaining imaging capability
3Volume of moving object
If the interferometer is placed in close proximity to the focal plane, then system size is reduced, but parallelism between reflective surfaces becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The interferometer is designed with locally optimized parallelism requirements at the focal plane interface, where the small gap size naturally enhances parallelism tolerance while maintaining compact system dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The optical gap parameter is reduced to a small value in close proximity to the focal plane, which changes the parallelism tolerance characteristics and allows maintenance of parallelism within the compact structure
4Adaptability or versatility
If thermal infrared detection is implemented, then spectral imaging capability is achieved, but cryogenic cooling is required increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The interferometer is integrated with the focal plane detector in close proximity, creating a compact thermal infrared imaging system that reduces overall thermal mass and cooling requirements while maintaining spectral imaging capability
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 enhances detection sensitivity, reduces system size and weight, and allows for hyperspectral imaging while minimizing the need for cooling, making the system more cost-effective and compatible with tactical Dewars.
Implementation Method 1
The electromagnetic radiation that enters the interferometer undergoes multiple reflections and the interference of the electromagnetic radiation emerging from the interferometer during each 'bounce' causes a modulation in the transmitted and reflected beams
Implementation Method 2
at least one actuatable spacer positioned between the first plate and the second plate and configured to space apart the first and second plates from one another and to selectively alter a thickness of the optical gap
Data Source
AI summary
An interferometer system comprising an optical detector including a substrate and a two-dimensional array of pixels disposed on the substrate is provided. The interferometer system may further comprise an interferometer disposed proximate the optical detector without an optical element between the interferometer and the optical detector. The interferometer may include a first plate positioned proximate the substrate and extending over the two-dimensional array of pixels, a second plate spaced apart from the first plate, the first and second plates defining an optical gap between them, and at least one actuatable spacer positioned between the first plate and the second plate and configured to space apart the first and second plates from one another and to selectively alter a thickness of the optical gap.