Virtual Light Source Holography for Speckle-Reduced 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital holography is limited by the need for highly coherent light sources, which cause speckle noise and limited coherence length, affecting image quality and measurement accuracy, while low-coherence light sources reduce interference pattern range.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a combination of high- and low-coherence light sources with an artificial neural network model to generate a virtual light source, minimizing speckle noise and extending interference pattern range through machine learning and hologram image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-coherence light source is used in digital holography, then clear interference patterns and high measurement precision are achieved, but spackle noise increases and coherence length becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual light source that copies the essential coherence properties needed for holography while eliminating the harmful speckle noise. The virtual light source is generated through computational methods that simulate coherent light behavior without producing the random interference patterns characteristic of physical coherent light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the physical optical system with a computational one. Instead of using actual coherent light sources that produce speckle noise, the system uses computer-generated virtual light sources and numerical propagation methods to achieve the same holographic measurement objectives without the harmful physical effects.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a low-coherence light source is used to reduce spackle noise, then spackle noise is reduced, but coherence length decreases and interference pattern range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the light source by using virtual rather than physical light sources. This allows the system to have effectively infinite coherence length in the computational domain while maintaining low speckle noise, as the virtual light source properties can be precisely controlled and optimized without the physical constraints of real light sources.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a virtual light source is generated through artificial intelligence learning, then spackle noise is minimized and coherence characteristics are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary training of the artificial neural network offline to generate the virtual light source characteristics. Once trained, the model can be applied repeatedly without requiring complex real-time computations, thus reducing the operational complexity while maintaining the noise reduction benefits.
4Ease of operation
If conventional hologram acquisition methods are used with physical light sources, then simple system operation is maintained, but data loss and speckle noise reduce image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual light source as an intermediary between the object and the hologram acquisition process. This virtual light source acts as a computational mediator that eliminates speckle noise and prevents data loss while maintaining the simplicity of the overall system operation, as the virtual light source generation is automated through the trained neural network model.
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
Enables high-resolution three-dimensional imaging with reduced data loss and speckle noise, achieving nanometer to micrometer precision in reconstructing object images.
Implementation Method 1
performs learning on an artificial neural network model based on at least one piece of hologram information acquired using a high-coherence light source and a low-coherence light source to generate a virtual light source
Implementation Method 2
Low coherence prevents light scattered from the surface of an object from interfering with it, thereby reducing spackle noise
Implementation Method 3
Digital holography is an optical imaging technology that utilizes the coherence of light. By utilizing coherence, the wave nature of light, phase information on the wavefront of an object from an interference pattern formed on the object can be acquired as data
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment provides a virtual light source and virtual light source hologram image generation system and method, including: a hologram information acquisition unit that acquires at least one piece of hologram information using an optical system including a first light source and a second light source; an artificial neural network model deriving unit that performs machine learning using the hologram information and derives a learned artificial neural network model based on a machine learning result; a hologram image acquisition unit that acquires a hologram image of a specimen using the first light source; and a virtual light source hologram image output unit that inputs the hologram image transmitted from the hologram image acquisition unit into the learned artificial neural network model to generate and output a virtual light source hologram image, wherein the learned artificial neural network model is a virtual light source.