Dynamic Spectral Imaging Device with Spectral Zooming Capability
Michael R. Wang
Problem
Conventional spectral imaging techniques require significant computing resources for image processing. What is needed is a design of spectral imaging system that can acquire spectral data in real time or near real time, which is necessary for remote sensing applications where time of image acquisition is limited.
Solution
The invention limits a number of spectral channels, or bands, to a number that can be processed in real time by determining a spectral sub-band within the wide spectral band, which is of interest to a particular application, and processing only the part of the spectrum that corresponds to that particular band. This is achieved by a dynamic spatial filter with adjustable bandwidth transmission. By readjusting the filter, a required number of images each corresponding to a narrow band of frequencies can be recorded.
Competitive Advantage
The system of the present invention can acquire spectral data in real time or near real time, which is necessary for remote sensing applications where time of image acquisition is limited.
Applications
An example of an application is remote Earth sensing. In this application, a spectral imaging apparatus housed in an aircraft can be employed to remotely detect the spread of plant diseases or other area contaminants.
Patent Status
International patent application No.
WO2008124446
entitled "DYNAMIC SPECTRAL IMAGINE DEVICE WITH SPECTRAL ZOOMING CAPABILITY" was filed on April 2, 2008.
Licensing Opportunity
We are seeking a commercialization partner with capabilities in product development, sales, and marketing. An exclusive worldwide license is available.
About the Inventors
Dr. Michael R. Wang received a Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Irvine. He received his training from UC-Irvine's Integrated Optics and Micro Device Laboratories, which has a well established reputation in single-mode and multi-mode integrated optic devices, including fully integrated acousto-optic and magneto-optic spectrum analyzers, electro-optic modulators, planar waveguide lens and microlens arrays, optical matrix multiplication elements, and GaAs related superlattice structures. During his employment at Physical Optics Corporation, between 1989 and 1995, Dr. Wang was a Team Leader in Photonic Devices. He played a leading role in the development of all advanced integrated optical devices for high speed optical interconnects and optoelectronic processors. He developed a new single-mode/multi-mode waveguide modulator for high-speed modulation and for multi-mode waveguide board-level optical interconnects and multi-mode multi-wavelength fiber communications. Dr. Wang's recent research focuses include hyperspectral imaging, integrated photonic devices, optical interconnection, soft lithography, holography optical data storage, photonic switching, diffractive optics, and laser protection. He has also demonstrated high efficiency 1-to-30 and 1-to-50 fanouts based on superimposed holographic gratings and substrate beam propagation. His simplified theoretical formulation for 3-D phase grating diffraction, finite beam Bragg diffraction, and superimposed transmission phase grating diffraction are three important papers in this field. He has recently demonstrated laser direct-write gray-level masks on ion-exchanged high-energy-beam sensitive glass and one-step etching of sixteen-phase-level diffractive microlens. Dr. Wang has been a principal investigator and/or project leader in over 45 government-sponsored programs. He has been an invited author of Wiley Encyclopedia of Electrical and Electronics Engineering on optical TDMA based "Demultiplexing Equipment." He has also served as a guest editor of a feature topic on "Multi-wavelength Fiber Optic Communications" of the IEEE Communications Magazine (Dec. 1998 issue). Dr. Wang has authored and co-authored over 110 journal papers, proceedings, and conference presentations. He is a member of Optical Society of America and SPIE.
Selected References
Han-Yong Ng, Michael R. Wang, Daqun Li, Xuan Wang, Jose Martinez, Roberto R. Panepucci, and Kachesh Pathak, "1x4 Wavelength Reconfigurable Photonic Switch Using Thermally Tuned Microring Resonators Fabricated on Silicon Substrate" IEEE Photonic Technology Letters, 19(9) 704-706 (2007)
Bing Chen, Michael R. Wang, Zhiqiang Liu, and Jame J. Yang, "Dynamic Spectral Imaging with Spectral Zooming Capability" Optics Letters, 32, 1518-1520 (2007)
Jame J. Yang, Angel Flores, Michael R. Wang, "Array Waveguide Evanescent Ribbon Coupler for Card-to-Backplane Optical Interconnects" Optics Letters, 32(1), 14-16 (2007)
Zhiqiang Liu, Namkhun Srisanit, Xianjun Ke, Pengfei Wu, Sangyup Song, Jame J. Yang, and Michael R. Wang, "An azobenzene functionalized polymer for laser direct writing waveguide fabrication" Optics Communications, 273, 94-98 (2007)
Zhiqiang Liu, Angel Flores, Michael R. Wang, and Jame J. Yang, "Diffractive Infrared Lens with Extended Depth of Focus" Optical Engineering, 46(1), pp.018002-1 to 018002-9 (2007)
Jame J. Yang and Michael R. Wang, "White Light Micro Grating Multiplexing for High Density Data Storage" Optics Letters, 31, 1304-1306 (2006)
Xianjun Ke, Xingzhong Yan, Sangyup Song, Daqun Li, Jame J. Yang, and Michael R. Wang, "Synthesis and characterization of a photochromic sol-gel material functionalized with azo dye" Optical Materials, 29, 1375-1380 (2007)
Xianjun Ke, Michael R. Wang, Daqun Li, "All-Optical Controlled Variable Optical Attenuator Using Photochromic Sol Gel Material" IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 18, 1025-1027 (2006)
Daqun Li and Michael R. Wang, "All-optical controllable 4 x 4 photonic switch matrix with scale-up capability for large port-count optical cross connects" Optical Engineering, 45(2), 025002-1 to 025002-6, Feb. (2006)
