Wavelength Multiplexed Birefringence Reading System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reading birefringent data stored in dielectric storage media require multiple optical measurements at different polarization states, increasing the time needed to retrieve data due to the number of measurements required.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize wavelength multiplexing and constraints on retardance values to determine birefringence values with fewer measurements, allowing for temporally overlapping measurements and reducing the time required to read birefringent data, including the use of a Poincaré sphere to represent polarization states and determine azimuth angle and retardance with two or fewer measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple optical measurements are performed at different polarization states to read birefringent data, then measurement precision is improved, but reading time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wavelength as an additional dimension to the measurement process. By using multiple wavelength bands simultaneously, the system performs measurements in a new dimensional space, allowing multiple polarization measurements to be conducted in parallel rather than sequentially, thus reducing reading time while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple measurement operations into a single integrated process. By merging measurements at different polarization states with measurements at different wavelength bands into a unified temporal overlap framework, the system achieves efficient data collection that reduces total reading time while preserving measurement accuracy
2Productivity
If the number of polarization measurements is reduced to decrease reading time, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by introducing wavelength band as an additional variable. Instead of taking multiple measurements at the same wavelength with different polarization states, the system uses measurements across different wavelength bands, fundamentally changing the parameter space and enabling faster readings without sacrificing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses wavelength-multiplexed measurements as an intermediary approach. By introducing wavelength as a mediating parameter that carries polarization information, the system can determine birefringence values with fewer direct polarization measurements while maintaining accuracy through the intermediary wavelength-based measurements
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
The approach significantly reduces the time and computing resources needed to read birefringent voxels by allowing plural wavelength-multiplexed measurements and using constraints to determine birefringence values with fewer measurements than traditional methods, enhancing data retrieval efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first polarization state generator positioned to generate first polarized light from light of a first wavelength band output by the one or more light sources, a second polarization state generator positioned to generate second polarized light from light of a second wavelength band output by the one or more light sources
Implementation Method 2
Over the past decade, much of the world's data has moved into the cloud. To meet the increasing demand, cloud providers rely on a variety of data-storage technologies... A promising technology for storing data is to encode the data as localized birefringent voxels in a dielectric storage medium
Implementation Method 3
a first bandpass filter disposed optically between the polarization state analyzer and the image sensor, the first bandpass filter configured to pass light of the first wavelength band, and a second bandpass filter disposed optically between the polarization state analyzer and the image sensor, the second bandpass filter configured to pass light of the second wavelength band
Data Source
AI summary
One example provides a system for reading birefringent data. The system comprises one or more light sources, a first polarization state generator positioned to generate first polarized light from light of a first wavelength band output by the one or more light sources, a second polarization state generator positioned to generate second polarized light from light of a second wavelength band output by the one or light sources, an image sensor configured to acquire an image of the sample region via the first polarized light and the second polarized light, a polarization state analyzer disposed between the sample region and the image sensor, a first bandpass filter configured to pass light of the first wavelength band onto the image sensor, and a second bandpass filter configured to pass light of the second wavelength band onto the image sensor.