Ratiometric Coherent Imaging Contrast via Signal Ratioing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-linear coherent imaging techniques lack the ability to generate effective image contrast for samples illuminated with coherent light, requiring a cost-effective and reproducible method to enhance imaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for coherent imaging that uses a light source to provide coherent light, a detector to receive and process optically mixed coherent signals, and a processor to ratio these signals, generating an image with improved contrast by analyzing the ratios of different frequency combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If non-linear coherent imaging techniques are used to illuminate samples with coherent light, then spectroscopy and microscopy enhancements are achieved, but the ability to generate image contrast is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that ratios the coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) signal to the coherent nonlinear optical (C-NLO) signal. This ratioing operation serves as a mediator that extracts image contrast information from the complex non-linear coherent imaging process, effectively decoupling the contrast generation from the inherent system complexity.
2Loss of information
If multiple input photons are coherently combined to produce output photons in non-linear coherent imaging, then spectroscopy capabilities are enhanced, but image contrast generation remains ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the non-linear coherent imaging signal into distinct components: the CARS signal component and the C-NLO signal component. By separating and independently analyzing these signal segments, the system preserves spectroscopy information from the CARS component while simultaneously generating image contrast from the C-NLO component, thus resolving the contradiction between information preservation and contrast generation.
3Productivity
If conventional non-linear coherent imaging methods are used, then optical signal generation is achieved, but cost-effective and reproducible image contrast is not obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing parameter from direct signal detection to ratioed signal analysis. By transforming the output from raw coherent signals to a ratioed metric (CARS/C-NLO ratio), the system maintains imaging efficiency while achieving reproducible image contrast that is insensitive to variations in illumination intensity and system parameters.
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
The method effectively generates image contrast by identifying atomic and molecular energy levels, enabling discrimination between materials with similar optical properties and providing enhanced imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a light source adapted to provide coherent light to illuminate a sample
Implementation Method 2
Non-linear coherent imaging refers to any imaging technique in which multiple input photons are coherently combined to produce each output photon
Implementation Method 3
a detector adapted to receive the optically mixed coherent signals and produce an output signal in response thereto
Implementation Method 4
a processor connected to the detector and adapted to ratio the optically mixed coherent signals in response to the output signal received by the detector
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a system and method for coherent imaging. The system of the present invention includes a light source adapted to provide coherent light to illuminate a sample resulting in optically mixed coherent signals and a detector adapted to receive the optically mixed coherent signals and produce an output signal in response thereto. The optically mixed coherent signals will be a set of sum and difference frequency combinations of the frequencies in the coherent light. A processor is connected to the detector and adapted to ratio a selected two of the optically mixed coherent signals in response to the output signal received by the detector and to generate an image in response to the ratioed optically mixed coherent signals, which can be displayed for a user.