Wavelength Variable Interference Filter Gap Control for Spectroscopic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectroscopic image acquiring systems face challenges in achieving high precision and efficiency due to non-uniform gap sizes between reflection films in interference filters, leading to difficulties in accurately capturing wavelengths across imaging pixels, especially when dealing with large target wavelength bands.
Innovation Solution
A spectroscopic image acquiring apparatus and method that utilize a wavelength variable interference filter with a gap changing unit, controlled by a filter control unit based on light-received wavelength data, allowing for precise adjustment of gap sizes to match target wavelengths across imaging pixels, reducing the number of measurements and measurement times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gap size between reflection films is changed to detect different wavelengths, then the wavelength detection range is improved, but the gap size becomes non-uniform due to substrate deflection or manufacturing errors, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the gap size between reflection films to correspond to different wavelengths. The filter control unit changes the gap size according to pre-stored light-received wavelength data, which includes control amounts for the gap changing unit at different wavelengths. This allows the system to detect different wavelengths by changing the physical parameter (gap size) while maintaining precision through controlled variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing light-received wavelength data before actual measurement. This data includes the control amounts needed to achieve specific wavelengths, allowing the system to quickly retrieve and apply the correct gap size without real-time calculation or iteration, thereby maintaining precision while enabling wide wavelength detection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the acquisition order is set to detect target wavelengths using multiple peak orders, then the wavelength coverage is improved, but the driving amount of gap size increases, requiring more measurement times and reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by pre-calculating and storing the optimal acquisition order in light-received wavelength data. The data includes control amounts for detecting wavelengths using both first and second peak orders, arranged in an optimized sequence that minimizes total driving amount. This preliminary preparation allows the system to execute measurements efficiently without real-time optimization calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes the balance between wavelength coverage and measurement speed by strategically changing the gap size parameter according to pre-determined control amounts. By using both first and second peak orders with optimized gap size sequences, the system achieves wide wavelength band coverage while minimizing the total number of measurement steps required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the initial gap size is set large to detect light of large acquisition target wavelength band using single peak order, then the wavelength range is improved, but the gap control becomes difficult, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this by pre-storing optimized control amounts for the gap changing unit in the light-received wavelength data. Instead of requiring real-time gap control decisions, the system retrieves pre-calculated control amounts that achieve the desired wavelength detection, significantly simplifying operation while maintaining wide wavelength band coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pre-acquired light-received wavelength data to guide gap size adjustments. The control unit references stored data that indicates the relationship between gap size control amounts and detected wavelengths, allowing for precise and easy control of the gap size to achieve target wavelength bands without complex real-time adjustments.
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 enables rapid acquisition of highly precise spectroscopic images by minimizing the number of gap size changes and measurement times, while maintaining high accuracy across imaging pixels.
Implementation Method 1
a Fabry-Perot interference filter (an interference filter) which causes a pair of reflection films to face each other and causes a predetermined wavelength among incident light beams, which is strengthened by being multiply interfered by the pair of reflection films, to transmit therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A spectroscopic camera is provided with a wavelength variable interference filter including a pair of reflection films and an electrostatic actuator for changing a size of a gap between the reflection films; an imaging unit including a plurality of imaging pixels; and a filter control unit for controlling the electrostatic actuator based on light-received wavelength data in which a control amount for receiving light of a target wavelength is recorded with respect to each of the imaging pixels of the imaging unit. An acquisition order of the target wavelength emitted from the wavelength variable interference filter is set for each of the imaging pixels, and the acquisition order is set in a descending order of the driving amount of a gap, and thus a value for emitting the light of the target wavelength in the set acquisition order is recorded as the light-received wavelength data.