阅读说明：本技术 光学系统 (Optical system ) 是由 S·H·查克玛简 乔治·迈克尔·莫里斯 布拉德利·约翰·沃德 塔索·R·M·萨莱斯 于 2018-12-13 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种光学系统,其包括第一微结构化表面；和第二微结构化表面；其中,第一微结构化表面沿着轴线与第二微结构化表面对齐。还包括一种照射系统,其包括光源和光学系统。包括一种漫射光的方法。(An optical system is provided that includes a first microstructured surface; and a second microstructured surface; wherein the first microstructured surface is aligned with the second microstructured surface along an axis. Also included is an illumination system that includes a light source and an optical system. A method of diffusing light is included.)

1. An optical system, comprising:

a first microstructured surface; and

a second microstructured surface;

wherein the first microstructured surface is aligned with the second microstructured surface along an axis.

2. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first microstructured surface comprises a first plurality of microstructures.

3. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the second microstructured surface comprises a second plurality of microstructures.

4. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first and second microstructured surfaces each independently comprise a microstructure of microlenses, saddle lenses, diffractive elements, gaussian diffusers, or holographic diffusers.

5. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first microstructured surface has a first field of view and the second microstructured surface has a second field of view that is narrower than the first field of view.

6. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first and second microstructures are each independently formed of an optical material.

7. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the second microstructured surface is a mirror image of the first microstructured surface.

8. The optical system of claim 1, further comprising a support.

9. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first microstructured surface has a first field of view having an angular extent of 30 degrees or greater.

10. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first and second microstructured surfaces are each independently a microlens array.

11. The optical system of claim 1, further comprising an embedded layer on at least one of the first and second microstructured surfaces.

12. The optical system of claim 11, wherein the embedded layer is planar.

13. The optical system of claim 11, wherein the embedded layer is conformal.

14. The optical system of claim 8, wherein the first microstructured surface is on one side of the support and the second microstructured surface is on an opposite side of the support.

15. The optical system of claim 8, wherein the first and second microstructured surfaces are on the same side of the support.

16. The optical system of claim 15, wherein the first microstructured surface is positioned between the second microstructured surface and the support.

17. The optical system of claim 15, wherein the second microstructured surface is positioned between the first microstructured surface and the support.

18. The optical system of claim 1, further comprising a protective layer.

19. An illumination system comprising a light source and the optical system of claim 1.

20. A method of diffusing light, comprising:

receiving incident light in a first microstructured surface of an optical system; and

transmitting light from the second microstructured surface of the optical system; wherein the transmitted light exhibits minimal high frequency artifacts as compared to an optical system comprising only a single microstructured surface.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an optical system comprising a first microstructured surface; and a second microstructured surface; wherein the first microstructured surface is aligned with the second microstructured surface along an axis. Also included is an illumination system that includes a light source and an optical system. A method of diffusing light is included.

Background

In applications related to three-dimensional (3D) imaging, sensing, and gesture recognition, optical assemblies are commonly used to project light patterns, typically associated with laser light having wavelengths in the range of about 800 nanometers to about 1000 nanometers, onto a scene being probed. The particular light pattern depends on the detection technique and may take various forms, such as a periodic grid of flood lights, spots, lines, stripes, checkerboard, etc.

The diffuser may take many forms, such as a diffractive diffuser and a gaussian diffuser. Microlens arrays may also be used for diffusing purposes.

The diffuser may work with various light sources, such as lasers or light emitting diodes. A laser source of particular interest is a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL). Because of their reliability and suitability for compact packaging, power output, these VCSEL sources are suitable for 3D imaging applications. Such VCSELs may be arranged in an array, e.g., several hundred VCSELs are arranged on a small area on a periodic or random grid. Each laser in the array exhibits substantial coherence, but any given two sources are substantially incoherent with each other. The VCSEL source or array itself is not suitable for producing the controlled illumination required in 3D imaging and sensing applications.

However, a problem with using a diffuser with a VCSEL array is the occurrence of high frequency artifacts. High frequency artifacts in the projected illumination pattern can cause performance problems in certain optical applications, such as 3D sensing. These high frequency artifacts are due to incoherent overlap of multiple coherent VCSEL sources in a close proximity array.

The origin of the high frequency artifact can be better understood by the following reasoning lines. Each individual source in the array of light sources illuminates a portion of the diffuser. To this end, there is an overlap between the areas of the diffuser illuminated by two adjacent light sources in the array. The output of each light source is characterized by a speckle pattern or an intense diffraction pattern. Since any two light sources in the array are mutually incoherent, the total output is given by the sum of the intensity patterns (intensity patterns) of each source only. The cumulative effect of many such similar speckle or diffraction patterns leads to the appearance of high frequency image artifacts.

Summary of The Invention

In one aspect of the present invention, an optical system is disclosed, comprising: a first microstructured surface; and a second microstructured surface; wherein the first microstructured surface is aligned with the second microstructured surface along an axis.

In another aspect of the invention, an illumination system is disclosed that includes a light source and an optical system.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of diffusing light, the method comprising: receiving incident light in a first microstructured surface of an optical system; and transmitting light from the second microstructured surface of the optical system; wherein the transmitted light exhibits minimal high frequency artifacts as compared to an optical system comprising only a single microstructured surface.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings.

Referring to fig. 1, the present disclosure is directed to an optical system 1 comprising a first microstructured surface 2 and a second microstructured surface 3, wherein the first microstructured surface 2 is aligned with the second microstructured surface along an axis. The optical system 1 may further comprise a support 7. When the first microstructured surface 2 and the second microstructure are aligned with the second microstructured surface 3, they are substantially parallel to each other. In another aspect, the first microstructured surface 2 is not aligned with the second microstructured surface 3 along an axis.

An optical system 1 for diffusing illumination from a light source (e.g. a single light source or an array of light sources) is disclosed. The disclosed optical system 1 can minimize high frequency artifacts and provide more uniform illumination while minimizing the impact on total transmission. The optical system 1 may include a first microstructured surface 2, such as a beam shaping surface, that distributes illumination from a light source in a pattern. The optical system may also include a second microstructured surface 3, such as a homogenizing surface, that receives the pattern and concentrates the pattern.

The concept of field of view (FOV) refers to the area of space that is effectively illuminated by the optical system 1. The FOV is most commonly defined in angular space with respect to intensity and is measured with a goniometer system, where the detector scans along a circle, with the optical system 1 located at the center of the circle. In this way, the detector rotates along an arc that always faces the optical system 1. Other methods of defining the FOV may also be considered, for example, based on irradiance rather than intensity. In this way, the light source illuminates the optical system 1, and the optical system 1 then illuminates a flat target surface. Irradiance is measured with a probe running parallel to the surface. In practice, people often use a transmissive screen (transmissive screen), the image of which is captured by a camera. Appropriate system calibration can be used to calculate irradiance and characterize the FOV of the optical system.

The first microstructured surface 1 can provide a first field of view (FOV) defined by the angular range of illumination, the intensity distribution, and the geometry of the microstructures in the first microstructured surface 2. The angular range of illumination may be projected in two dimensions. For example, the first FOV may have an angular range of 120 degrees along the y-dimension and 90 degrees in the x-dimension, which would illuminate a rectangular spatial region. In a 3D sensing application, the first FOV may have an angular range of about 30 degrees or more along any one dimension. In LIDAR applications, the first FOV may have an angular range of about 1 degree or more in either dimension.

The intensity distribution (e.g., the first FOV) of an image is a set of intensity values taken from points regularly spaced along an angular segment. In one aspect, the intensity distribution within the first FOV is substantially uniform according to the change in angle. On the other hand, the intensity distribution within the first FOV concentrates more energy towards a wider angle in a so-called "batwing" distribution ("batting" profile). On the other hand, the intensity distribution within the first FOV concentrates more energy at the center of the first FOV.

The second microstructured surface 3 may have a second field of view narrower than the first field of view in order to remove or minimize (substantially remove) high frequency artifacts. The second FOV may be about 3 to 15 times narrower than the first FOV, but the exact value depends on other requirements and needs to be optimized for optimal performance. Such optimization may be achieved through modeling tools or direct experimentation. For example, the first microstructured surface 2 may have a FOV in the range of about 110 x 85 degrees, while the second microstructured surface 3 may have a FOV in the range of about 5 to about 15 degrees.

The intensity distribution of the second microstructured surface 3 can be generally isotropic, having substantially the same intensity distribution in any direction. On the other hand, the second microstructured surface 3 itself may produce a pattern of deformations in which the second FOV along the two perpendicular axes is different. The second microstructured surface 3 may also produce a pattern such as a circle, square, rectangle, line, cross pattern, dot array, or any particular scattering distribution, with the fundamental limitation that the second FOV is narrower than the first FOV. The intensity distribution along a given axis may be flat-topped, batwing, gaussian, or any other particular intensity distribution. Along the vertical axis, the intensity distribution may or may not be different from the distribution along the given axis.

In one aspect, the optical system 1 can include two oppositely oriented microstructured surfaces. In one aspect, as shown in fig. 1, an optical system 1 can include a first microstructured surface 2 on one side of a support 7 and a second microstructured surface 3 on an opposite side of the support 7. Each microstructured surface 2, 3 may comprise a plurality of microstructures capable of being patterned. The first microstructured surface 2 may face a light source. For example, as shown in fig. 9, the second microstructured surface 3 can face away from the light source 8.

In another aspect, the optical system 1 can include a first microstructured surface 2 and a second microstructured surface 3, the first microstructured surface 2 and the second microstructured surface 3 both being oriented in the same direction and being located on the same side of the support 7 of the optical system 1. For example, as shown in fig. 5, the first microstructured surface 2 and the second microstructured surface 3 may both be present on the same side of the support 7. The first microstructured surface 2 can be positioned between the second microstructured surface 3 and a support 7. In another aspect, the second microstructured surface 3 can be positioned between the first microstructured surface 2 and the support 7 (not shown). In either variant, the light source may be present on the support 7 side or on the microstructured surface side.

The first microstructured surface 2 may comprise a first plurality of microstructures. The second microstructured surface 3 can comprise a second plurality of microstructures. The first microstructured surface 2 and the second microstructured surface 3 each independently comprise a microstructure, such as a microlens diffuser, a saddle lens diffuser, a diffractive element, a gaussian diffuser (e.g. ground glass), or a holographic diffuser.

Referring to fig. 2, the first microstructured surface 2 can be aligned along an axis with the second microstructured surface 3. In one aspect, each microstructure of the first plurality of microstructures can focus a substantial portion of incident light passing through the aperture (aperture) of the microstructure at the second microstructured surface 3. The second microstructured surface 3 may be a mirror image of the first microstructured surface 2. This particular arrangement is commonly referred to as a "fly's eye" lens.

The size of the individual microstructures (e.g., microlenses) in the array can be in the range of about 10 to about 100 μm.

The microstructures of the second microstructured surface 3 may be comparable in size and shape to the first microstructured surface 2 or smaller. The microstructures in each of the first microstructured surface 2 and the second microstructured surface 3 can be distributed in a periodic array or randomly. For example, the first microstructured surface 2 and the second microstructured surface 3 can each independently be a microlens array.

Referring to fig. 3A-3C, an optical system 1 can include a first microstructured surface 2, a second microstructured surface 3, and a support 7, and each of the first microstructured surface 2, the second microstructured surface 3, and the support 7 can be independently formed from an optical material. Non-limiting examples of optical materials include: glass, such as Borofloat; a polymeric material, such as a UV-cured polymer, a molded polymer, or an embossed polymer; fused quartz; IR materials such as silicon; amorphous silicon; and combinations thereof. For example, the polymeric material may be polycarbonate or acrylic. The optical material may be a high refractive index material, for example a material having a refractive index greater than 1.5.

With respect to fig. 3A, the first microstructured surface 2 may be formed from a polymeric material and include a plurality of microlens diffusers as microstructures. The support 7 may be made of borosilicate glass. The second microstructured surface 3 may comprise a plurality of ground glass microstructures formed directly on the support material 7.

With respect to fig. 3B, the first microstructured surface 2 can be formed from a polymeric material and include a plurality of microstructures of microlens diffusers and frosted glass. The support 7 may be made of borosilicate glass. The second microstructured surface 3 may comprise a plurality of ground glass microstructures formed on a support material 7.

With respect to fig. 3C, the first microstructured surface 2, the support 7, and the second microstructured surface 3 are all formed from the same material as they may be formed, for example, by a hot pressing or molding process.

In one aspect, the optical system 1 may be formed from a single optical material. In another aspect, the optical system 1 may be formed of different materials. For example, the first microstructured surface 2 and the second microstructured surface 3 can both be made of a polymeric material and the support 7 can be made of a glass material. As shown in fig. 6, the first microstructured surface 2 and the support 7 are formed of the same optical material, i.e. are one piece (monolith). As shown in fig. 7, the first microstructured surface 2, the support 7, and the second microstructured surface 3 are formed from the same optical material. Any and all combinations of components and optical materials of optical system 1 are acceptable so long as optical system 1 includes first microstructured surface 2 and second microstructured surface 3.

The total thickness of the optical system 1 may range from about 0.1mm to about 2mm, depending on the packaging requirements and the materials used. As an example, the support 7 may be borosilicate glass having a thickness of about 0.3mm, while the microstructures on either side may be composed of a polymeric material having a thickness in the range of about 20 μm to about 120 μm produced by a UV curing process, resulting in a total thickness in the range of about 0.34mm to about 0.54 mm. In another example, at least one microstructured surface 2, 3 may comprise amorphous silicon, resulting in a total thickness in the range of about 0.32 mm to about 0.44 mm, since amorphous silicon material allows for thinner layers due to its high refractive index.

Depending on the material, microstructure design, and manufacturing process, the thickness of the first microstructured surface 2 can range from about 0.5 microns to about 120 microns, such as from about 0.75 microns to about 100 microns, and again, for example, from about 1 micron to about 90 microns. The thickness may include a base portion (planar portion) and a microstructured portion.

The thickness of the support 7 may range from about 0.02mm to about 2mm, such as from about 0.05mm to about 1.6mm, and again, for example, from about 0.1mm to about 1.8 mm.

The thickness of the second microstructured surface 3 can range from about 0.5 microns to about 120 microns, such as from about 0.75 microns to about 100 microns, and again, for example, from about 1 micron to about 90 microns, depending on the material, microstructure design, and manufacturing process. The thickness includes a base portion (planar portion) and a microstructured portion.

The optical system 1 of the present invention may take various physical formats. As shown in fig. 4A, the optical system 1 may further include an embedded layer 4. An embedding layer 4 may be present on at least one of the first microstructured surface 2 and the second microstructured surface 3. The embedding layer 4 may be planar as shown in fig. 4A. The planar embedding layer 4 enables a smaller package of the optical system 1. In one aspect, the embedding layer 4 may be conformal (conforming), i.e., may conform to the microstructure of the microstructured surface, as shown in fig. 4B. The conformal embedding layer 4 may improve the durability of the optical system 1. The optical system 1 may include a planar embedded layer 4, a conformal embedded layer, and combinations thereof. In one aspect, the optical system 1 may include one embedded layer, two embedded layers, and the like. Any and all combinations of number, type, and material of the embedding layers are contemplated. The thickness of the embedding layer 4 may range from about 1 to about 100 microns.

The embedding layer 4 can protect the first microstructured surface 2 and/or the second microstructured surface 3 and prevent contamination that could lead to index matching of the microstructured surfaces. Index matching occurs when some material (e.g., fluid) covers the microstructured surfaces 2, 3 and prevents the microstructured surfaces 2, 3 from operating properly. Non-limiting examples of materials suitable for use as the embedding layer include polymers, fused silica, and amorphous silicon.

The embedding layer 4 may also be an anti-reflective coating to reduce surface reflection and increase light transmission. In one aspect, the embedding layer 4 is a single layer. In another aspect, the embedding layer 4 is at least one layer, such as a plurality of layers. If more than one embedded layer 4 is present in the optical system 1, each embedded layer 4 may comprise the same or different materials.

Referring to fig. 8, the first microstructured surface 2 is embedded in a planar embedding layer 4. The second microstructured surface 3 is embedded in a planar embedding layer 4, which planar embedding layer 4 has a conformal protective layer 5, such as an antireflective layer. The protective layer 5 may be made of, for example, TiO₂、SiO₂、MgF₂、ITO、CaF₂Is formed of the material of (1).

In one aspect, the optical system 1 may comprise more than one microstructured surface 2, 3 on each side of the support 7. For example, the optical system may comprise a second microstructured surface 3, and a first microstructured surface 2 on the side of the support 7 receiving illumination from a light source; and may comprise an additional first microstructured surface 2 and an additional second microstructured surface 3 on the light transmitting side of the support 7. The optical system 1 may comprise any combination of microstructured surfaces 2, 3 on either side of the support 7. Additionally, the optical system 1 may comprise any combination of embedded layers 4 (planar and/or conformal) on either side of the support 7.

The optical system 1 may be formed using techniques such as molding, etching, grinding, gray scale lithography, and the like. The techniques used to form the optical system may depend in part on the FOV, optical materials, type of light source desired, and the like.

Referring to fig. 9, an illumination system 10 comprising the disclosed optical system 1 and a light source 8 is also disclosed. The light source 8 may be an array of light sources 11, where each source in the array is substantially coherent, but any two sources in the array are substantially incoherent with each other. One example is a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL).The placement of the individual sources in the array is quite flexible, typically periodic, but may also be random or pseudo-random. Each light source in the array may be coherent with a beam divergence angle of 1/e²May have a full width of about 10 to about 30 degrees.

In another aspect, the light source 8 may be a single light source, such as a laser.

The illumination system 10 may be compact and suitable for incorporation into small volumes, similar to the typical features of consumer devices and other small-sized packaged products. Applications of the illumination system 10 may be three-dimensional (3D) imaging, depth sensing, gesture recognition, automotive, cellular communication devices, machine vision, LIDAR, and the like.

Also disclosed is a method of diffusing light, comprising: receiving incident light in a first microstructured surface 2 of an optical system 1; and transmits light from the second microstructured surface 3 of the optical system 1; wherein the transmitted light exhibits minimal high frequency artifacts as compared to an optical system comprising only a single microstructured surface. In particular, the method may comprise providing a light source emitting incident light. The first microstructured surface 2 of the optical system 1 can receive incident light and can transmit the received incident light in a light pattern towards the second microstructured surface 3 of the optical system 1. The second microstructured surface 3 can receive the transmitted light pattern, can homogenize the transmitted light pattern, and transmit the homogenized transmitted light pattern exhibiting minimal high frequency artifacts.

Although the method has been described with respect to an optical system as shown in fig. 1, the method may be performed with any of the optical systems 1 disclosed in the figures, wherein the light source may be placed on either side of the optical system 1 and the transmitted light pattern will exhibit minimal high frequency artifacts compared to an optical system comprising only a single microstructured surface.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection with particular embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of the present teachings should not be so limited. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein.

The present disclosure should be construed broadly. It is intended that the present disclosure discloses equivalents, means (mean), systems and methods of effecting the devices, activities and mechanical actions disclosed herein. For each component, device, article, method, apparatus, mechanical element, or mechanism disclosed, it is intended that the disclosure also cover and teach in its disclosure equivalents, devices, systems, and methods for practicing many aspects, mechanisms, and devices disclosed herein. Further, the present disclosure relates to the constituent parts and many aspects, features and elements thereof. Such components may be dynamic in their use and operation, and the present disclosure is intended to cover the components, equivalents, devices, systems, methods of use of the components, and/or the manufacture of optical devices and many aspects thereof consistent with the description and spirit of the operation and function disclosed herein. The claims of this application are to be construed broadly as well. The description of the invention herein in its many embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.