Wavefront coded imaging systems
First Claim
1. Imaging apparatus for imaging an object onto a detector, comprising:
- a lens structure constructed and arranged between the object and the detector to produce transverse ray intercept curves which are sloped substantially straight lines;
a wavefront coding element constructed and arranged between the object and the detector to affect a phase of light transmitted by the wavefront coding element such that a modulation transfer function of the lens structure and wavefront coding element has reduced variation, over a range of spatial frequencies and caused by aberrations of the lens structure, as compared to a modulation transfer function of the lens structure without the wavefront coding element; and
means for post-processing data from the detector to generate an image with an improved modulation transfer function, over the range of spatial frequencies, as compared to the modulation transfer function of the lens structure and the wavefront coding element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides improved Wavefront Coding imaging apparatus and methods composed of optics, a detector, and processing of the detected image. The optics are constructed and arranged to have the characteristic that the transverse ray intercept curves form substantially straight, sloped lines. The wavefront coding corrects for known or unknown amounts of “misfocus-like” aberrations by altering the optical transfer function of the imaging apparatus in such a way that the altered optical transfer function is substantially insensitive to aberrations. Post processing then removes the effect of the coding, except for the invariance with regard to aberrations, thereby producing clear images.
110 Citations
30 Claims
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1. Imaging apparatus for imaging an object onto a detector, comprising:
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a lens structure constructed and arranged between the object and the detector to produce transverse ray intercept curves which are sloped substantially straight lines;
a wavefront coding element constructed and arranged between the object and the detector to affect a phase of light transmitted by the wavefront coding element such that a modulation transfer function of the lens structure and wavefront coding element has reduced variation, over a range of spatial frequencies and caused by aberrations of the lens structure, as compared to a modulation transfer function of the lens structure without the wavefront coding element; and
means for post-processing data from the detector to generate an image with an improved modulation transfer function, over the range of spatial frequencies, as compared to the modulation transfer function of the lens structure and the wavefront coding element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A single lens imaging system for imaging an object onto a detector, comprising:
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a lens constructed and arranged to produce transverse ray intercept curves which are sloped substantially straight lines;
a wavefront coding element formed on a surface of the lens and constructed and arranged such that a modulation transfer function of the lens and wavefront coding element has reduced variation, over a range of spatial frequencies and caused by aberrations of the lens, as compared to a modulation transfer function of the lens without the wavefront coding element; and
a post processor to generate an image with an improved modulation transfer function, over the range of spatial frequencies, as compared to the modulation transfer function of the lens structure and the wavefront coding element. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An infrared imaging system for imaging infrared radiation from an object to a detector, comprising:
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optics for producing, with the infrared radiation, transverse ray intercept curves that are sloped substantially straight lines; and
a wavefront coding element for modifying phase of a wavefront of the imaging system such that a modulation transfer function of the optics and wavefront coding element has reduced variation, over a range of spatial frequencies and caused by thermal variation within the imaging system, as compared to a modulation transfer function of the optics without the wavefront coding element; and
a post processor for generating an image with an improved modulation transfer function, over the range of spatial frequencies, as compared to the modulation transfer function of the optics and the wavefront coding element. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for decreasing sensitivity to fabrication and assembly errors in an optical system of the type that images light from an object to a detector, comprising the steps of:
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processing the light through optics to produce transverse ray intercept curves that are sloped substantially straight lines;
modifying phase of a wavefront of the optical system with a wavefront coding element such that a modulation transfer function of the optics and wavefront coding element has reduced variation, over a range of spatial frequencies and caused by aberrations of the optics, as compared to a modulation transfer function of the optics without the wavefront coding element; and
post processing electronic images from the detector to generate an image with an improved modulation transfer function, over the range of spatial frequencies, as compared to the modulation transfer function of the optics and the wavefront coding element.
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23. An extended depth of field incoherent optical system, comprising:
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at least one lens for imaging incoherent light from an object to an image recording device, the lens defining an optical transfer function and configured at either an aperture stop of, or conjugate of the aperture stop of, the optical system, a surface of the lens altering the optical transfer function such that the optical transfer function is substantially insensitive over a predetermined range between the lens and the object; and
a post processor for processing the optical transfer function from the image recording device to render a substantially in-focus electronic image over the range.
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24. Imaging apparatus for imaging an object onto a detector, comprising:
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a lens structure constructed and arranged between the object and the detector, and at an aperture stop or conjugate of the aperture stop of the apparatus, to produce transverse ray intercept curves which are sloped substantially straight lines; and
at least one surface of the lens structure forming a wavefront coding element to affect a phase of light transmitted by the wavefront coding element so as to alter an optical transfer function of the imaging apparatus such that the altered optical transfer function is substantially insensitive to focus-related aberrations over a greater range of aberrations than was provided by the unaltered optical transfer function. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A wide angle optical imaging system, comprising:
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optics for generating an image of an object with transverse ray intercept curves that are sloped substantially straight lines;
a wavefront coding element constructed and arranged between the object and a detector of the image to affect phase such that a modulation transfer function of the optics and wavefront coding element has reduced variation, over a range of spatial frequencies and field of view at least about fifty degrees, as compared to a modulation transfer function of the lens structure without the wavefront coding element; and
a post processor for generating a final image with an improved modulation transfer function, over the range of spatial frequencies, as compared to the modulation transfer function of the optics and the wavefront coding element. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A microscope imaging system for imaging an object to a detector with increased magnification, comprising:
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optics for forming an image of the object with a magnitude greater than one and for producing transverse ray intercept curves that are sloped substantially straight lines; and
a wavefront coding element for modifying phase of a wavefront of the microscope imaging system such that a modulation transfer function of the optics and wavefront coding element has reduced variation, over a range of spatial frequencies and caused by aberrations within the microscope imaging system, as compared to a modulation transfer function of the optics without the wavefront coding element; and
a post processor for generating an image with an improved modulation transfer function, over the range of spatial frequencies, as compared to the modulation transfer function of the optics and the wavefront coding element. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification