Restrictive Ray Corrector for Compact Imaging Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniature imaging systems face challenges in achieving high image quality due to limited degrees of freedom for optical and mechanical aberration control, leading to increased manufacturing precision and cost, and large ray angles that result in reduced light intensity and pixel cross-talk.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a low height imaging system with optical channels and a detector array, utilizing GRIN lenses with wavefront coding and aspheric surfaces to direct steeper incident angle field rays onto detectors, and the use of restrictive ray correctors to preferentially direct light towards specific detectors, thereby reducing aberrations and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the Z-length of the imaging system is shortened to achieve miniaturization, then the system size is reduced, but the chief ray angles increase leading to reduced light intensity and pixel cross-talk
Solution Approach 1:
A ray corrector element is introduced as an intermediary component between the lens and detector. This element has a specific refractive index and geometry designed to alter the trajectory of chief rays, redirecting them to strike the detector at smaller angles while maintaining the compact Z-length of the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive index of the ray corrector material is specifically selected and optimized to achieve the desired ray angle correction. By changing the refractive index parameter of the intermediate element, the system achieves improved light intensity and reduced cross-talk without increasing system length.
2Device complexity
If the number of optical components is reduced to achieve miniaturization, then the system complexity is reduced, but the degrees of freedom for controlling optical aberrations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ray corrector element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it corrects chief ray angles to improve light intensity and reduces various optical aberrations including coma and astigmatism. This multi-functional approach allows a single additional component to address multiple performance issues without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ray corrector is designed with specific material properties (refractive index, dispersion characteristics) that are optimized to correct multiple types of aberrations across different wavelengths. The composite optical design combines the ray corrector material properties with the existing lens characteristics to achieve superior aberration control.
3Length of moving object
If the chief ray angles are increased in a compact system, then the system can be miniaturized, but pixel cross-talk increases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ray corrector acts as an intermediary optical element that modifies the angular distribution of rays before they reach the detector. By redirecting chief rays to smaller incident angles, it prevents cross-talk between adjacent pixels and maintains image quality in the miniaturized system 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
This approach enhances image quality by reducing chief ray angles, increasing light intensity, and minimizing aberrations, while also relaxing tolerances on optics and mechanics, resulting in a more cost-effective and high-quality imaging solution.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing GRIN lenses with wavefront coding and aspheric surfaces to direct steeper incident angle field rays onto detectors
Implementation Method 2
utilizing GRIN lenses with wavefront coding and aspheric surfaces to direct steeper incident angle field rays onto detectors, and the use of restrictive ray correctors to preferentially direct light towards specific detectors, thereby reducing aberrations
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a low height imaging system has: one or more optical channels and a detector array, each of the optical channels (a) associated with at least one detector of the array, (b) having one or more optical components and a restrictive ray corrector, and (c) configured to direct steeper incident angle field rays onto the at least one detector.