Time-Resolved Hyperspectral Imaging with Mono-Pixel Reconstruction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current imaging systems lack the capability to perform time-resolved hyperspectral imaging with picosecond temporal resolution, limiting their ability to observe repeatable events with sufficient spectral and temporal detail.

Innovation Solution

A time-resolved hyperspectral imaging system combining single-pixel imaging with a dispersive system and a streak camera, utilizing a spatial light modulator to vary transmission or reflection masks and a processor to reconstruct 4D images, enabling simultaneous temporal and spectral resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If TCSPC with linear detectors and spectrometer is used, then spectral resolution is improved, but temporal resolution is limited and only multispectral imaging is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral resolutionVSAvoidtemporal resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the spectral information by using a dispersive element to separate different wavelengths spatially before detection. This allows simultaneous acquisition of spectral and temporal information by dividing the spectral domain into distinct spatial channels, resolving the contradiction between spectral resolution and temporal resolution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a spatial dimension by using a dispersive element to map wavelengths to spatial positions. This dimensional transformation enables the detector to resolve both spectral and temporal information simultaneously, achieving hyperspectral imaging with picosecond resolution

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

2Loss of time

If intensified CCD cameras with gating electronics are used, then temporal resolution is improved, but spectral information acquisition is limited and readout time restricts temporal sampling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporal resolutionVSAvoidspectral information
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the spectral information by using a dispersive element to separate different wavelengths spatially before detection. This allows simultaneous acquisition of spectral and temporal information by dividing the spectral domain into distinct spatial channels, resolving the contradiction between spectral resolution and temporal resolution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dispersive element as an intermediary between the sample and the detector. This intermediary device maps spectral information to spatial positions, enabling the detector to capture both temporal and spectral data simultaneously without the readout time limitations of conventional CCD cameras

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If arrays of avalanche diodes are used, then temporal resolution is improved to 50 picoseconds, but spatial resolution is limited due to low number of pixels and low fill factor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporal resolutionVSAvoidspatial resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the spectral information by using a dispersive element to separate different wavelengths spatially before detection. This allows simultaneous acquisition of spectral and temporal information by dividing the spectral domain into distinct spatial channels, resolving the contradiction between spectral resolution and temporal resolution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a spatial dimension by using a dispersive element to map wavelengths to spatial positions. This dimensional transformation enables the detector to resolve both spectral and temporal information simultaneously, achieving hyperspectral imaging with picosecond resolution

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

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 system achieves picosecond temporal and hyperspectral imaging capabilities, allowing for the observation of repeatable events with high spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

a spatial light modulator adapted to form a mask transmission or reflection P

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpatial light modulation:

Implementation Method 2

a dispersive device comprising a slit placed in the image focal plane of the second optical system, said dispersive device being adapted to spatially separate the different wavelengths of the radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 3

a streak camera arranged so as to be illuminated by the radiation coming from the dispersive device and configured to acquire a plurality of partial images resolved in time and in wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime-resolved detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3742135A1Hyperspectral mono-pixel imaging resolved over time
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 TOTALENERGIES ONETECH
  • EP3742135A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3742135A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3742135A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Time-resolved hyperspectral imaging system (10, 30) of a sample (3) comprising: a radiation source adapted to illuminate the sample in a repeatable manner, a first optical system (5) configured to form an image I of the sample on a spatial light modulator (6) forming a transmission or reflection mask P, a processor (12) connected to the spatial light modulator and configured to vary the transmission or reflection mask P for each repetition of the illumination, a second optical system (7) adapted to focus the radiation transmitted or reflected by the spatial light modulator so as to form, in its image focal plane, a partial image S=PI;said imaging system being characterized in that it comprises: a dispersive device (8) comprising a slit placed in the image focal plane of the second optical system, said dispersive device being adapted to spatially separate the different wavelengths of the radiation transmitted or reflected by the spatial light modulator;a slit-scanning camera arranged to be illuminated by radiation from the dispersive device (9) and configured to acquire a plurality of time-resolved partial images of the sample associated with respective and different transmission or reflection masks P, said slit-scanning camera being connected to the processor (12) and said processor also being configured to combine said partial images of the sample so as to construct a 4D Itot image cube forming a time- and wavelength-resolved image of the sample and a time-resolved hyperspectral imaging method of a corresponding sample.;