IP Library Granted Patent US 12680872
Granted Patent B2
US 12680872 · App. 18/205,618 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system and method thereof

Inventors: Wei-Chih Wang (Sammamish, WA); Fiona Marie Wang (Seattle, WA)
Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
G01J3/2823G01J3/0224G01J3/4535G01J2003/2826
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12680872
App. No.
18/205,618
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system for imaging a plurality of light signals of a sample by Fourier spectroscopy includes a first optical element, a second optical element, a phase difference modulator and an image sensor. The light signals pass by the first optical element. The second optical element is spaced away from and parallel to the first optical element, and the light signals pass by the second optical element. The phase difference modulator is closer to the first optical element than the second optical element to the first optical element, and configured for modifying a phase difference of adjacent two of the light signals. The image sensor is configured for receiving the light signals reflected from the first optical element and the second optical element, and operating Fourier transforming on the light signals. The second optical element is between the first optical element and the image sensor.

Claims (51)

1 . A two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system, for imaging a plurality of light signals of a sample by Fourier spectroscopy, comprising:

at least one first optical element, wherein the light signals pass by the at least one first optical element;

at least one second optical element being spaced away from and parallel to the at least one first optical element, wherein the light signals pass by the at least one second optical element;

a phase difference modulator being closer to the at least one first optical element than the at least one second optical element to the at least one first optical element, and configured for modifying a phase difference of the adjacent two of the light signals, wherein the phase difference modulator comprises an electrically activated liquid crystal cell integrated within a Fabry-Perot interferometer; and

an image sensor configured for receiving the light signals reflected from the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element, and Fourier transforming the light signals, wherein the at least one second optical element is between the at least one first optical element and the image sensor;

wherein the light signals pass by the at least one first optical element, the at least one second optical element and the image sensor in order, and the adjacent two of the light signals are made to constructively interfere by modifying the phase difference with the phase difference modulator;

wherein a part of the light signals reflects between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element, the phase difference modulator is connected to the at least one first optical element and configured for changing a distance between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element;

wherein the phase difference modulator comprises:

a frame accommodating the at least one first optical element;

an elastic element connected to the frame; and

an actuator assembly connected to the elastic element, and configured for driving the at least one first optical element to move relatively to the at least one second optical element along a vertical direction;

wherein the actuator assembly comprises a plurality of piezoelectric driven actuators, and the piezoelectric driven actuators are disposed at two sides of the frame.

2 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system of claim 1 , wherein a number of the at least one second optical element is plural, the image sensor is a plurality of cameras, and each of the cameras corresponds to each of the second optical elements.

3 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system of claim 2 , wherein a number of the at least one first optical element is plural, the first optical elements are arranged and spaced away from each other to form a first optical element array, the second optical elements are arranged and spaced away from each other to form a second optical element array, and the first optical element array is parallel to the second optical element array.

4 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system of claim 3 , wherein a size of each of the first optical elements and the second optical elements equals to a pixel size of each of the cameras.

5 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system of claim 3 , wherein each of the first optical elements is a flat mirror, each of the second optical elements is a curved mirror, each of the first optical elements is located between adjacent two of the second optical elements, and the phase difference modulator is configured for driving each of the first optical elements to move to change distances from a center of each of the first optical elements to centers of the adjacent two of the second optical elements.

6 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the electrically activated liquid crystal cell disposed between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element, and each of the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element is a polarizer film, the at least one first optical element is configured for polarizing each of the light signals orthogonally, the electrically activated liquid crystal cell is configured for changing refractive index of the light signals in different directions, so that the adjacent two of the light signals constructively interfere after passing by the at least one second optical element.

7 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the light signals reflect between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element, the electrically activated liquid crystal cell disposed between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element, and the electrically activated liquid crystal cell is configured for modifying an optical path difference of the adjacent two of the light signals having a same polarizing direction by altering a controlled voltage.

8 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system of claim 7 , wherein the phase difference modulator further comprises two polarizers, one of the two polarizers is disposed between the sample and the at least one first optical element, the other one of the two polarizers is disposed between the at least one second optical element and the image sensor.

9 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system of claim 7 , wherein the image sensor comprises a photo diode.

10 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the image sensor is configured for analyzing the light signals.

11 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an electronic device signally connected to the image sensor, wherein the electronic device is configured for imaging the light signals.

12 . A two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging method, for imaging a plurality of light signals of a sample by Fourier spectroscopy, comprising:

emitting a light passing through the sample to generate the light signals by a light source;

reflecting the light signals by at least one first optical element and at least one second optical element;

modifying a phase difference between adjacent two of the light signals by a phase difference modulator, wherein the phase difference modulator comprises an electrically activated liquid crystal cell integrated within a Fabry-Perot interferometer; and

receiving the light signals and Fourier transforming the light signals by an image sensor;

wherein a part of the light signals reflects between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element, the phase difference modulator is connected to the at least one first optical element and configured for changing a distance between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element;

wherein the phase difference modulator comprises:

a frame accommodating the at least one first optical element;

an elastic element connected to the frame; and

an actuator assembly connected to the elastic element, and configured for driving the at least one first optical element to move relatively to the at least one second optical element along a vertical direction;

wherein the actuator assembly comprises a plurality of piezoelectric driven actuators, and the piezoelectric driven actuators are disposed at two sides of the frame.

13 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging method of claim 12 , wherein the phase difference between the adjacent two of the light signals is modified by changing the distance between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element.

14 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging method of claim 13 , wherein the phase difference between the adjacent two of the light signals is modified by changing the distance between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element along a vertical direction.

15 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging method of claim 12 , wherein a number of the at least one first optical element is plural, a number of the at least one second optical element is plural, the first optical elements are arranged and spaced away from each other to form a first optical element array, the second optical elements are arranged and spaced away from each other to form a second optical element array, and the first optical element array is parallel to the second optical element array.

16 . The two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging method of claim 12 , wherein the phase difference between the adjacent two of the light signals is modified by disposing the electrically activated liquid crystal cell between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element.

17 . A two-dimensional hyperspectral imaging method, for imaging a plurality of light signals of a sample by Fourier transformation, comprising:

emitting a light passing through the sample to generate the light signals by a light source;

polarizing each of the light signals by at least one first optical element orthogonally;

modifying a phase difference of adjacent two of the light signals which are orthogonal to each other using a phase difference modulator, wherein the phase difference modulator comprises an electrically activated liquid crystal cell integrated within a Fabry-Perot interferometer;

polarizing each of the light signals by at least one second optical element, so that the adjacent two of the light signals which are orthogonal to each other are made to constructively interfere; and

receiving the light signals and Fourier transforming the light signals by an image sensor;

wherein the electrically activated liquid crystal cell of the phase difference modulator is configured for changing refractive index of the light signals in different directions, the electrically activated liquid crystal cell splits one of the light signals into an ordinary and an extraordinary light which are the adjacent two of the light signals, and a phase difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary light is modified by changing an aligned angle of the electrically activated liquid crystal cell with an extra electric field;

wherein a part of the light signals reflects between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element, the phase difference modulator is connected to the at least one first optical element and configured for changing a distance between the at least one first optical element and the at least one second optical element;

wherein the phase difference modulator comprises:

a frame accommodating the at least one first optical element;

an elastic element connected to the frame; and

an actuator assembly connected to the elastic element, and configured for driving the at least one first optical element to move relatively to the at least one second optical element along a vertical direction;

wherein the actuator assembly comprises a plurality of piezoelectric driven actuators, and the piezoelectric driven actuators are disposed at two sides of the frame.