Self-Reference Interferometer for Phase and Amplitude Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical interferometers face limitations in lateral and axial resolution, making image reconstruction difficult, especially when using external reference beams, and are less effective with incoherent or partially coherent light.
Innovation Solution
A method involving amplitude splitting, defocusing, and amplitude superposition of light fields to generate an interference pattern on a detector, allowing for the determination of input phase and amplitude without an external reference beam, utilizing a self-reference system that includes a splitting device, imaging device, and detector to create output spots with varying phase differences, enabling partial spatial coherence within output spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical interferometers use external reference beams, then the interference pattern can be measured, but the lateral resolution and axial resolution are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external reference beam from the optical system, extracting only the necessary interference functionality. The self-reference approach eliminates the need for separate reference beam paths, reducing optical system complexity while maintaining measurement capability through autocorrelation of the input light field itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The input light field serves multiple functions: it is both the object to be measured and the reference for interference. By using the same light field for both purposes, the system achieves multi-functionality that improves resolution without adding separate reference beam components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional interferometers are designed with external reference beams, then interference measurement is enabled, but the design flexibility of the optical system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The external reference beam path is completely removed from the system. The patent extracts only the essential interference measurement function and implements it through self-reference, thereby eliminating the design constraints and complexity associated with maintaining separate reference beam paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The input light field serves itself as the reference beam, eliminating the need for external reference components. This self-service approach allows greater design flexibility as the system no longer requires matched reference beam paths or precise alignment between object and reference arms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the interferometer uses incoherent or partially coherent light, then the method can be applied to broader applications, but the interference pattern quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic temporal averaging of the interference pattern. By accumulating interference signals over multiple temporal realizations, the system dynamically adapts to partially coherent light sources, improving measurement precision while maintaining versatility for incoherent light applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The method continuously accumulates interference information over time through temporal averaging. This continuous integration of useful interference signals maintains measurement quality even when individual interference patterns from incoherent sources are weak or noisy.
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 the ability to reconstruct images with improved resolution, particularly for incoherent or partially coherent light, allowing for applications such as electronic focusing, aberration correction, and three-dimensional object measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a) Amplitude splitting of the input light field into a first light field and a second light field
Implementation Method 2
c) Amplitude superposition and imaging of the propagated first light field and of the propagated second light field onto a detector in such a way that in each case a first spot of the propagated first light field and a second spot of the propagated second light field interfere on the detector to form a common output spot of an output light field and the output light field generates an interference pattern at the detector
Data Source
AI summary
A method, an interferometer, and a signal processing device, each for determining an input phase and/or an input amplitude of an input light field, are disclosed. Here, an input light field is divided into a first light field and a second light field by amplitude splitting. The first light field and the second light field are propagated such that the propagated second light field is defocused relative to the propagated first light field. The propagated first light field is superimposed on the propagated light field and caused to interfere.