Wavefront coded imaging systems
OwnerEdward Raymond Dowski JR.inventor
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Abstract
The present invention provides improved Wavefront Coding imaging apparatus and methods composed of optics, 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, producing clear images.
Claims20
Imaging apparatus for imaging an object onto a detector comprising:
- a lens structure;
- the lens structure constructed and arranged to produce transverse ray intercept curves which are sloped substantially straight lines;
- a wavefront coding element positioned between the object and the detector;
- the coding element being constructed and arranged to alter the optical transfer function of the imaging apparatus in such a way 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;
- and
- means for post processing;
- wherein the coding element affects said alteration to the optical transfer function substantially by affecting the phase of light transmitted by said wavefront coding element.
A single lens imaging system for imaging an object onto a detector comprising:
- 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;
- the coding element being constructed and arranged to alter the optical transfer function of the imaging system in such a way 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;
- and
- a post processing element;
- wherein the coding element affects said alteration to the optical transfer function substantially by affecting the phase of light transmitted by said wavefront coding element.
A microscope objective for imaging an object onto a detector comprising:
- an element with optical power;
- the element with optical power being constructed and arranged to produce transverse ray intercept curves which are sloped substantially straight lines;
- a wavefront coding element;
- the coding element being constructed and arranged to alter the optical transfer function of the microscope objective in such a way 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;
- and
- a post processing element;
- wherein the coding element affects said alteration to the optical transfer function substantially by affecting the phase of light transmitted by said wavefront coding element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.