Thin-Layer Spectroscopy for Compressive Sensing Without Spatial Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional spectroscopy methods are time-consuming and resource-intensive due to the need for numerous measurements, and compressive sensing techniques based on spatial modulation suffer from power losses and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The use of thin-layered photonic devices to modulate spectral signals with multiple peaks, allowing for numerical reconstruction of spectral distributions with a higher number of spectral bands than measurements, utilizing tunable devices such as liquid-crystal-retarders and partially-reflective layers to achieve CS-compliant modulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional spectroscopy methods are used to obtain spectral information at narrow spectral bands, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral information accuracyVSAvoiddata acquisition time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The spectrum is segmented into multiple narrow spectral bands using diffractive, dispersive, or narrow-band filter techniques. Each band is measured separately with a detector, allowing precise spectral information to be obtained while reducing the total measurement time by parallelizing the measurement process across multiple bands rather than scanning sequentially

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from temporal scanning (measuring one band at a time over time) to spatial multiplexing (measuring multiple bands simultaneously across different spatial locations). By using dispersive elements to spatially separate spectral bands and detectors arranged in space to capture them simultaneously, the system achieves both high precision and fast acquisition by eliminating the time dimension from sequential measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If compressive sensing techniques based on spatial modulation are used to reduce measurements, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and power loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex spatial modulation components from the compressive sensing system. Instead of using spatial light modulators and complex modulation patterns, the system uses direct spectral multiplexing with simple dispersive elements and fixed detectors, taking out the problematic spatial modulation part while retaining the core compressive sensing capability of recovering spectral information from fewer measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or electro-optical spatial modulation mechanisms with a simpler optical dispersion-based system. Instead of actively modulating light in space using complex devices, the system uses passive dispersive elements to spatially separate wavelengths, substituting complex active modulation with simpler passive optical separation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining productivity gains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces the number of measurements required, decreases system complexity and power loss, and enhances spectral resolution, leading to more efficient and cost-effective spectroscopic data acquisition.

Implementation Method 1

using one or more thin-layered photonic devices to modulate a plurality of spectral modulations from a spectral signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight modulation:

Implementation Method 2

a tunable reflection-based thin-layered photonic device having a plurality of partially-reflective layer having a reflectivity ranging between about 70%-95%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

each spectral modulation characterized by at least two peaks when depicted in a modulated transmission or reflection response

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

the one or more thin-layered photonic devices includes a tunable single-cell liquid-crystal-retarder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 5

the one or more thin-layered photonic devices includes a tunable single-cell liquid-crystal-retarder; adjusting a voltage applied to the liquid-crystal-retarder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 6

a tunable reflection-based thin-layered photonic device having a plurality of partially-reflective layer having a reflectivity ranging between about 70%-95%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Implementation Method 7

adjusting a distance between the partially-reflective layers; the adjusting a distance between the partially-reflective layers is implemented in increments of 0.1 μm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3022536B1Compressive sensing spectroscopic method and device using thin-layered devices
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 BG NEGEV TECHNOLOGIES & APPLICATIONS LTD
  • EP3022536B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3022536B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3022536B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A spectroscopic method using either tunable or preset non-tunable thin-layered devices or a combination of both to modulate compressed-sensing-compliant, spectral modulations and to use intensity measurements of each respective spectral modulation to numerically reconstruct an estimated spectral distribution of the spectral signal such that the estimated spectral distribution is characterized by a totality of spectral bands exceeding the number of spectral modulations by about one half an order-of-magnitude or more.