# US 11,307,533 B2 · Imaging device for in-line holographic imaging of an object > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,307,533 B2 - Document ID: US11307533B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/648,987 - Filed: 2018-09-19 - Published: 2020-09-10 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-09-25 - Assignees: Imec Vzw - Applicants: Imec Vzw - Inventors: Abdulkadir Yurt; Richard Stahl; Murali Jayapala; Geert Vanmeerbeeck - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11307533B2 ## CPC - G03H 1/0443: {Digital holography, i.e. recording holograms with digital recording means (holobject computation G03H1/0866)} - G03H 1/0465: {Particular recording light; Beam shape or geometry (G03H1/06 takes precedence)} - G03H 2001/0033: {in hologrammetry for measuring or analysing} - G03H 2001/005: {in microscopy, e.g. digital holographic microscope [DHM]} - G03H 2001/0212: {Light sources or light beam properties (G03H1/06, G03H1/24 take precedence; corresponding details, see subgroups of G03H2222/00)} - G03H 2001/0447: {In-line recording arrangement} - G03H 2001/0452: {arranged to record an image of the object} - G03H 2001/0471: {Object light being transmitted through the object, e.g. illumination through living cells} - G03H 2210/30: 3D object - G03H 2210/62: Moving object - G03H 2222/13: Multi-wavelengths wave with discontinuous wavelength ranges (G03H2222/18 takes precedence) - G03H 2222/34: Multiple light sources - G03H 2222/42: Reference beam at recording stage - G03H 2222/43: Object beam at recording stage - G03H 2222/45: Interference beam at recording stage, i.e. following combination of object and reference beams - G03H 2222/52: Divergent beam - G03H 2223/16: Optical waveguide, e.g. optical fibre, rod - G03H 2226/11: Electro-optic recording means, e.g. CCD, pyroelectric sensors - G03H 2226/13: Multiple recording means - G03H 2227/02: Handheld portable device, e.g. holographic camera, mobile holographic display - G03H 2227/03: Means for moving one component (G03H1/0476, G03H2001/2695 take precedence) - G03H: HOLOGRAPHIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS (holograms, e.g. point holograms, used as ordinary optical elements G02B5/32; producing stereoscopic or other three-dimensional effects G02B30/00; diffraction-grating systems G02B27/44; systems using moiré fringes G02B27/60; optical logic elements G02F3/00; stereo-photography G03B35/00; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; {stereo-photographic or similar processes G03C9/00}; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D; analogue computers performing mathematical operations with the aid of optical elements G06E3/00; authentication by radiation, of concealed information carried by holograms or diffraction gratings G06K19/16; holographic storage G11B7/0065, G11C13/04; {stereoscopic or other three dimensional effects in television systems H04N13/00}) ## Abstract Example embodiments relate to imaging devices for in-line holographic imaging of objects. One embodiment includes an imaging device for in-line holographic imaging of an object. The imaging device includes a set of light sources configured to output light in confined illumination cones. The imaging device also includes an image sensor that includes a set of light-detecting elements. The set of light sources are configured to output light such that the confined illumination cones are arranged side-by-side and illuminate a specific part of the object. The image sensor is arranged such that the light-detecting elements detect a plurality of interference patterns. Each interference pattern is formed by diffracted light from the object originating from a single light source and undiffracted light from the same single light source. At least a subset of the set of light-detecting elements is arranged to detect light relating to not more than one interference pattern. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging device for in-line holographic imaging of an object, comprising: a set of light sources, wherein each light source is configured to output light in a confined illumination cone; and an image sensor comprising a set of light-detecting elements for detecting incident light, wherein the set of light sources are configured to output light such that the confined illumination cones of the light sources are arranged side-by-side and the confined illumination cone of each light source illuminates a specific part of the object, wherein first light sources in the set of light sources are configured to emit light of a first wavelength and second light sources in the set of light sources are configured to emit light of a second wavelength, wherein the first light sources and the second light sources are alternatingly arranged in the set of light sources such that each first light source has second light sources as closest neighbors, wherein the image sensor is arranged such that the light-detecting elements detect a plurality of interference patterns, wherein each interference pattern is formed by diffracted light from the object originating from a single light source in the set of light sources and undiffracted light from the same single light source, wherein adjacent parts of the object are illuminated by light of the first wavelength and light of the second wavelength in a spatially alternating fashion, and wherein at least a subset of the set of light-detecting elements is arranged to detect light relating to not more than one interference pattern based on wavelengths of the respective interference patterns. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising an integrated photonic circuit, wherein the integrated photonic circuit comprises a waveguide for guiding a light beam, and wherein the waveguide comprises a plurality of branches for guiding the light beam to a plurality of light output positions that form a plurality of light sources in the set of light sources. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising an array of optical fibers for guiding light beams, wherein ends of the array of optical fibers form a plurality of light sources in the set of light sources. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein a distance between a light source in the set of light sources and the object is in a same order of magnitude as a distance between the object and the image sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the set of light sources forms a two-dimensional array of light sources. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein adjacent interference patterns are partially overlapping on the image sensor such that a subset of light-detecting elements is arranged to detect light relating to two adjacent interference patterns. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the subset of the set of light-detecting elements arranged to detect light relating to not more than one interference pattern comprises light-detecting elements having different filters. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the light sources in the set of light sources are configured to sequentially illuminate the object, and wherein the sequential illumination sequence is short to avoid motion blur due to movement of the object. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein interference patterns based on the first wavelength do not overlap on the image sensor and interference patterns based on the second wavelength do not overlap on the image sensor, such that each light-detecting element is arranged to detect light relating to not more than one interference pattern based on the first wavelength or based on the second wavelength. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein central axes of the illumination cones are parallel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a processing unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to process information of detected interference patterns from the set of light-detecting elements of the image sensor to reconstruct a holographic image of the object. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the light sources in the set of light sources are configured to simultaneously illuminate the object. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the light sources in the set of light sources are configured to sequentially illuminate the object. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing having a withdrawable receiver, wherein the withdrawable receiver is configured to be withdrawable in order to protrude from the housing and present a position for placing an object in the withdrawable receiver, and wherein the withdrawable receiver is configured to be insertable into the housing for placing the object in the withdrawable receiver in a prepared set-up for in-line holographic imaging of the object. ### Claim 15 A diagnostic equipment for analysis of an object, comprising: an imaging device for in-line holographic imaging of the object, wherein the imaging device comprises: a set of light sources, wherein each light source is configured to output light in a confined illumination cone; and an image sensor comprising a set of light-detecting elements for detecting incident light, wherein the set of light sources are configured to output light such that the confined illumination cones of the light sources are arranged side-by-side and the confined illumination cone of each light source illuminates a specific part of the object, wherein first light sources in the set of light sources are configured to emit light of a first wavelength and second light sources in the set of light sources are configured to emit light of a second wavelength, wherein the first light sources and the second light sources are alternatingly arranged in the set of light sources such that each first light source has second light sources as closest neighbors, wherein the image sensor is arranged such that the light-detecting elements detect a plurality of interference patterns, wherein each interference pattern is formed by diffracted light from the object originating from a single light source in the set of light sources and undiffracted light from the same single light source, wherein adjacent parts of the object are illuminated by light of the first wavelength and light of the second wavelength in a spatially alternating fashion, and wherein at least a subset of the set of light-detecting elements is arranged to detect light relating to not more than one interference pattern based on wavelengths of the respective interference patterns. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The diagnostic equipment according to claim 15, wherein the imaging device further comprises an integrated photonic circuit, wherein the integrated photonic circuit comprises a waveguide for guiding a light beam, and wherein the waveguide comprises a plurality of branches for guiding the light beam to a plurality of light output positions that form a plurality of light sources in the set of light sources. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The diagnostic equipment according to claim 15, wherein the imaging device further comprises an array of optical fibers for guiding light beams, and wherein ends of the array of optical fibers form a plurality of light sources in the set of light sources. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The diagnostic equipment according to claim 15, wherein a distance between a light source in the set of light sources and the object is in a same order of magnitude as a distance between the object and the image sensor. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The diagnostic equipment according to claim 15, wherein the set of light sources forms a two-dimensional array of light sources. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The diagnostic equipment according to claim 15, wherein adjacent interference patterns are partially overlapping on the image sensor such that a subset of light-detecting elements is arranged to detect light relating to two adjacent interference patterns.