Spatially-Variant Wavelength Filter for Spectral Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems lack the capability to efficiently analyze and differentiate optical spectra across varying areas within optical filters, which limits their effectiveness in applications such as multispectral detection and biometric analysis.
Innovation Solution
The optical system incorporates a wavelength-selective optical filter with spatially-variant areas, each having a distinct transmission spectrum, positioned remotely from the optical sensor and between a reflector and a measurement subject, allowing for precise spectral analysis by varying the transmission properties across different regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wavelength-selective optical filter is positioned remotely from the optical sensor, then spectral analysis capability is improved, but optical path complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical filter is divided into multiple spatially-variant areas, each with distinct transmission spectra. This segmentation allows different spectral regions to be analyzed simultaneously through separate areas of the filter, improving spectral analysis capability while maintaining a compact remote configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial dimensionality to the optical filter by creating multiple areas with different transmission spectra. This allows the system to differentiate spectral components spatially, enabling enhanced spectral analysis without requiring complex optical paths.
2Measurement precision
If spatially-variant areas are introduced in the optical filter, then spectral differentiation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different areas of the optical filter are designed with locally distinct transmission spectra, allowing each region to optimize for specific wavelength ranges. This local quality approach enables spectral differentiation while using standard optical filtering techniques in each region.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filter employs composite structures with multiple layers having different optical properties. By combining materials with varying transmission characteristics, the patent achieves spatially-variant spectral filtering without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing of individual regions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple spatially-variant areas are disposed in the optical filter, then multispectral detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical filter is designed to perform multiple spectral filtering functions simultaneously through its spatially-variant areas. Each area can be optimized for different spectral regions, allowing the single filter structure to enable multispectral detection across various wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple spectral filtering functions are merged into a single optical filter component by arranging different transmission spectrum areas within one filter structure. This combining approach enables multispectral detection capability while avoiding the need for multiple separate filters.
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 enables enhanced spectral differentiation and data collection, improving the accuracy of multispectral detection and biometric analysis by allowing for tailored spectral filtering and increased sensitivity across the optical filter's areas.
Implementation Method 1
Optical filters may reflect or absorb certain portions of incident light and transmit other portions of incident light
Implementation Method 2
Optical filters may reflect or absorb certain portions of incident light and transmit other portions of incident light
Implementation Method 3
an optical sensor, a plurality of photosensitive pixels disposed on the optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system is disclosed and includes an optical sensor, a plurality of photosensitive pixels disposed on the optical sensor, a wavelength-selective optical filter in optical communication with the photosensitive pixels, the wavelength-selective optical filter being disposed remotely from the optical sensor, an area disposed in the wavelength-selective optical filter, the area having a transmission spectrum different from a transmission spectrum of a portion of the wavelength-selective optical filter not in the area and a reflector, the wavelength-selective optical filter and a measurement subject each being disposed between the reflector and the optical sensor along an optical path.