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Huang Z, Wu Y, Luo S, Huang H. Programmable broadband ultrathin micropolarizer based on photoalignment technology. Sci Rep 2024; 14:24274. [PMID: 39414938 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-75095-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 10/01/2024] [Indexed: 10/18/2024] Open
Abstract
A method for creating broadband ultrathin azo dye micropolarizers is introduced, utilizing photoalignment technology and liquid crystal polymers to organize azo dyes into a long-range ordered structure. Achievements include a 3.63 μm thick polarizer with an extinction ratio over 140 and polarization efficiency over 99.3% across 400-650 nm, 5 μm × 5 μm pixel pitch flexible ultrathin checkerboard arrays and 6 μm pixel pitch flexible ultrathin one-dimensional grating with a 0.45 duty ratio through mask exposure technology. After a substrate-transfer technique, the bending cycle test demonstrates the mechanical stability and durability of the broadband ultrathin flexible polarizers, highlighting their potential for widespread use in integrated flexible optoelectronic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziling Huang
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Optoelectronic Devices of Ministry of Education and Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Low-Dimensional Structural Physics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Yan Wu
- School of Physics and Electronics Science, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Site Luo
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Optoelectronic Devices of Ministry of Education and Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Low-Dimensional Structural Physics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Huihui Huang
- Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Optoelectronic Devices of Ministry of Education and Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Low-Dimensional Structural Physics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China.
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2
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Li S, Kong F, Xu H, Guo X, Li H, Ruan Y, Cao S, Guo Y. Biomimetic Polarized Light Navigation Sensor: A Review. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:5848. [PMID: 37447698 DOI: 10.3390/s23135848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
A polarized light sensor is applied to the front-end detection of a biomimetic polarized light navigation system, which is an important part of analyzing the atmospheric polarization mode and realizing biomimetic polarized light navigation, having received extensive attention in recent years. In this paper, biomimetic polarized light navigation in nature, the mechanism of polarized light navigation, point source sensor, imaging sensor, and a sensor based on micro nano machining technology are compared and analyzed, which provides a basis for the optimal selection of different polarized light sensors. The comparison results show that the point source sensor can be divided into basic point source sensor with simple structure and a point source sensor applied to integrated navigation. The imaging sensor can be divided into a simple time-sharing imaging sensor, a real-time amplitude splitting sensor that can detect images of multi-directional polarization angles, a real-time aperture splitting sensor that uses a light field camera, and a real-time focal plane light splitting sensor with high integration. In recent years, with the development of micro and nano machining technology, polarized light sensors are developing towards miniaturization and integration. In view of this, this paper also summarizes the latest progress of polarized light sensors based on micro and nano machining technology. Finally, this paper summarizes the possible future prospects and current challenges of polarized light sensor design, providing a reference for the feasibility selection of different polarized light sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunzi Li
- College of Electronic and Information Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Fang Kong
- College of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Han Xu
- College of Electronic and Information Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Xiaohan Guo
- School of Information Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Haozhe Li
- College of Electronic and Information Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Yaohuang Ruan
- College of Electronic and Information Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Shouhu Cao
- College of Electronic and Information Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
| | - Yinjing Guo
- College of Electronic and Information Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China
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3
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Zhong B, Wang X, Gan X, Yang T, Gao J. A Biomimetic Model of Adaptive Contrast Vision Enhancement from Mantis Shrimp. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20164588. [PMID: 32824224 PMCID: PMC7472206 DOI: 10.3390/s20164588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mantis shrimp have complex visual sensors, and thus, they have both color vision and polarization vision, and are adept at using polarization information for visual tasks, such as finding prey. In addition, mantis shrimp, almost unique among animals, can perform three-axis eye movements, such as pitch, yaw, and roll. With this behavior, polarization contrast in their field of view can be adjusted in real time. Inspired by this, we propose a bionic model that can adaptively enhance contrast vision. In this model, a pixel array is used to simulate a compound eye array, and the angle of polarization (AoP) is used as an adjustment mechanism. The polarization information is pre-processed by adjusting the direction of the photosensitive axis point-to-point. Experiments were performed around scenes where the color of the target and the background were similar, or the visibility of the target was low. The influence of the pre-processing model on traditional feature components of polarized light was analyzed. The results show that the model can effectively improve the contrast between the object and the background in the AoP image, enhance the significance of the object, and have important research significance for applications, such as contrast-based object detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Zhong
- School of Computer and Information, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; (B.Z.); (X.G.); (T.Y.); (J.G.)
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Computer and Information, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; (B.Z.); (X.G.); (T.Y.); (J.G.)
- Intelligent Interconnected Systems Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei 230009, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Xin Gan
- School of Computer and Information, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; (B.Z.); (X.G.); (T.Y.); (J.G.)
| | - Tian Yang
- School of Computer and Information, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; (B.Z.); (X.G.); (T.Y.); (J.G.)
| | - Jun Gao
- School of Computer and Information, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; (B.Z.); (X.G.); (T.Y.); (J.G.)
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4
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Kim JJ, Liu H, Ousati Ashtiani A, Jiang H. Biologically inspired artificial eyes and photonics. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2020; 83:047101. [PMID: 31923911 PMCID: PMC7195211 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/ab6a42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Natural visual systems have inspired scientists and engineers to mimic their intriguing features for the development of advanced photonic devices that can provide better solutions than conventional ones. Among various kinds of natural eyes, researchers have had intensive interest in mammal eyes and compound eyes due to their advantages in optical properties such as focal length tunability, high-resolution imaging, light intensity modulation, wide field of view, high light sensitivity, and efficient light management. A variety of different approaches in the broad field of science and technology have been tried and succeeded to duplicate the functions of natural eyes and develop bioinspired photonic devices for various applications. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of bioinspired artificial eyes and photonic devices that mimic functions of natural eyes. After we briefly introduce visual systems in nature, we discuss optical components inspired by the mammal eyes, including tunable lenses actuated with different mechanisms, curved image sensors with low aberration, and light intensity modulators. Next, compound eye inspired photonic devices are presented, such as microlenses and micromirror arrays, imaging sensor arrays on curved surfaces, self-written waveguides with microlens arrays, and antireflective nanostructures (ARS). Subsequently, compound eyes with focal length tunability, photosensitivity enhancers, and polarization imaging sensors are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Jun Kim
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, United States of America
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5
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Lombardo D, Shah P, Sarangan A. Single step fabrication of nano scale optical devices using binary contact mask deep UV interference lithography. OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 27:22917-22922. [PMID: 31510575 DOI: 10.1364/oe.27.022917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Interference Lithography (IL) is a powerful and inexpensive tool for large area precision nanoscale patterning of periodic structures. In this work we extend IL's capability to create features in arbitrary shapes and locations through the use of binary contact masks with wavefront division deep-UV interference lithography. Grating couplers for use in a streak measurement system and a focal plane division polarimeter are created to demonstrate the viability and versatility of the technique. Simultaneous fabrication of 90nm and 20μm features proves the potential of this process to simplify and streamline common fabrication processes in research and in industrial applications.
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6
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Dupeyroux J, Viollet S, Serres JR. Polarized skylight-based heading measurements: a bio-inspired approach. J R Soc Interface 2019; 16:20180878. [PMID: 30958149 PMCID: PMC6364636 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many insects such as desert ants, crickets, locusts, dung beetles, bees and monarch butterflies have been found to extract their navigation cues from the regular pattern of the linearly polarized skylight. These species are equipped with ommatidia in the dorsal rim area of their compound eyes, which are sensitive to the angle of polarization of the skylight. In the polarization-based robotic vision, most of the sensors used so far comprise high-definition CCD or CMOS cameras topped with linear polarizers. Here, we present a 2-pixel polarization-sensitive visual sensor, which was strongly inspired by the dorsal rim area of desert ants' compound eyes, designed to determine the direction of polarization of the skylight. The spectral sensitivity of this minimalistic sensor, which requires no lenses, is in the ultraviolet range. Five different methods of computing the direction of polarization were implemented and tested here. Our own methods, the extended and AntBot method, outperformed the other three, giving a mean angular error of only 0.62° ± 0.40° (median: 0.24°) and 0.69° ± 0.52° (median: 0.39°), respectively (mean ± standard deviation). The results obtained in outdoor field studies show that our celestial compass gives excellent results at a very low computational cost, which makes it highly suitable for autonomous outdoor navigation purposes.
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7
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Zhu Q, Fu Y, Liu Z. A bio-inspired model for bidirectional polarisation detection. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2018; 13:066002. [PMID: 30156563 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/aadd64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated a novel polarisation detection model based on the microstructure of rhabdom in mantis shrimp eyes, in which a single unit can detect two directions of orthogonal polarisation. The bionic model incorporated multi-layered orthogonal Si wire grids, and the finite-difference time-domain method was used to simulate light absorption. A single-layer Si wire grid was simulated to study the effects of thickness and duty cycle on extinction ratios. A multi-layer orthogonal wire grid was simulated to study the effects of distance between adjacent layers. The simulations revealed that the bionic model can achieve orthogonal polarisation detection. Additionally, for 600 coupled layers, the extinction ratios in both directions were greater than 60, and light absorption in the absorptive directions exceeded 96%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qifan Zhu
- School of Opto-Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China. Key Laboratory of Opto-electronic Measurement and Optical Information Transmission Technology, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China
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8
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Cronin TW, Garcia M, Gruev V. Multichannel spectrometers in animals. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2018; 13:021001. [PMID: 29313524 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/aaa61b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Multispectral, hyperspectral, polarimetric, and other types of multichannel imaging spectrometers are coming into common use for a variety of applications, including remote sensing, material identification, forensics, and medical diagnosis. These instruments are often bulky and intolerant of field abuse, so designing compact, reliable, portable, and robust devices is a priority. In contrast to most engineering designs, animals have been building compact and robust multichannel imaging systems for millennia-their eyes. Biological sensors arise by evolution, of course, and are not designed 'for' a particular use; they exist because the creatures that were blessed with useful mutations were better able to survive and reproduce than their competitors. While this is an inefficient process for perfecting a sensor, it brings unexpected innovations and novel concepts into visual system design-concepts that may be useful in the inspiration of new engineered solutions to problematic challenges, like the ones mentioned above. Here, we review a diversity of multichannel visual systems from both vertebrate and invertebrate animals, considering the receptor molecules and cells, spectral sensitivity and its tuning, and some aspects of the higher-level processing systems used to shape spectral (and polarizational) channels in vision. The eyes of mantis shrimps are presented as potential models for biomimetic multichannel imaging systems. We end with a description of a bioinspired, newly developed multichannel spectral/polarimetric imaging system based on mantis shrimp vision that is highly adaptable to field application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Cronin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, United States of America
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9
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Xu C, Ke C, Ma J, Huang Y, Zeng Z. Full-Stokes polarization imaging method based on the self-organized grating array in fused silica. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2331. [PMID: 29402906 PMCID: PMC5799200 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19942-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
A full-Stokes polarization imaging method based on the self-organized grating array was presented. By focusing the ultra-fast laser with moderate fluence into fused silica, the self-organized grating array was fabricated, featuring the optical properties similar to wave plates. A set of four independent polarization measurements were simultaneously acquired with designed grating array mounted in the focal plane of an imaging detector. Experimental results including the device fabrication, calibration and optimization were presented. Finally, a principle verification experiment was implemented for our polarization imaging method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canhua Xu
- College of Physics and Information Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Chaozhen Ke
- College of Physics and Information Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Jing Ma
- College of Physics and Information Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Yantang Huang
- College of Physics and Information Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Zhiping Zeng
- College of Physics and Information Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
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10
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Xu C, Ma J, Ke C, Huang Y, Zeng Z, Weng W. Numerical study of a DoFP polarimeter based on the self-organized nanograting array. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:2517-2527. [PMID: 29401790 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.002517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The self-organized nanograting manufactured by irradiating the transparent materials with the femtosecond laser has aroused wide interests in photonic applications in recent years. Although the mechanism of nanograting formatting has not yet been fully understood, the essential property of the optical birefringence can be precisely acquired by controlling the energy fluence of the femtosecond laser. In this paper, we proposed a novel application of the self-organized nanograting in a division-of-focal-plane polarimeter. Based on the rigid-coupled-wave algorithm, the optical characteristics of the nanograting and the polarimeter were comprehensively analyzed and discussed.
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11
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Han G, Hu X, Lian J, He X, Zhang L, Wang Y, Dong F. Design and Calibration of a Novel Bio-Inspired Pixelated Polarized Light Compass. SENSORS 2017; 17:s17112623. [PMID: 29135927 PMCID: PMC5713120 DOI: 10.3390/s17112623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Animals, such as Savannah sparrows and North American monarch butterflies, are able to obtain compass information from skylight polarization patterns to help them navigate effectively and robustly. Inspired by excellent navigation ability of animals, this paper proposes a novel image-based polarized light compass, which has the advantages of having a small size and being light weight. Firstly, the polarized light compass, which is composed of a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) camera, a pixelated polarizer array and a wide-angle lens, is introduced. Secondly, the measurement method of a skylight polarization pattern and the orientation method based on a single scattering Rayleigh model are presented. Thirdly, the error model of the sensor, mainly including the response error of CCD pixels and the installation error of the pixelated polarizer, is established. A calibration method based on iterative least squares estimation is proposed. In the outdoor environment, the skylight polarization pattern can be measured in real time by our sensor. The orientation accuracy of the sensor increases with the decrease of the solar elevation angle, and the standard deviation of orientation error is 0.15∘ at sunset. Results of outdoor experiments show that the proposed polarization navigation sensor can be used for outdoor autonomous navigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoliang Han
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
| | - Junxiang Lian
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
| | - Xiaofeng He
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
| | - Lilian Zhang
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
| | - Yujie Wang
- College of Mechatronics and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China.
| | - Fengliang Dong
- Nanofabrication Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.
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12
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York T, Powell SB, Gao S, Kahan L, Charanya T, Saha D, Roberts NW, Cronin TW, Marshall J, Achilefu S, Lake SP, Raman B, Gruev V. Bioinspired Polarization Imaging Sensors: From Circuits and Optics to Signal Processing Algorithms and Biomedical Applications: Analysis at the focal plane emulates nature's method in sensors to image and diagnose with polarized light. PROCEEDINGS OF THE IEEE. INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS 2014; 102:1450-1469. [PMID: 26538682 PMCID: PMC4629637 DOI: 10.1109/jproc.2014.2342537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we present recent work on bioinspired polarization imaging sensors and their applications in biomedicine. In particular, we focus on three different aspects of these sensors. First, we describe the electro-optical challenges in realizing a bioinspired polarization imager, and in particular, we provide a detailed description of a recent low-power complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) polarization imager. Second, we focus on signal processing algorithms tailored for this new class of bioinspired polarization imaging sensors, such as calibration and interpolation. Third, the emergence of these sensors has enabled rapid progress in characterizing polarization signals and environmental parameters in nature, as well as several biomedical areas, such as label-free optical neural recording, dynamic tissue strength analysis, and early diagnosis of flat cancerous lesions in a murine colorectal tumor model. We highlight results obtained from these three areas and discuss future applications for these sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy York
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA ( )
| | - Samuel B Powell
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA ( )
| | - Shengkui Gao
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA ( )
| | - Lindsey Kahan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA ( )
| | - Tauseef Charanya
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA ( )
| | - Debajit Saha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA ( )
| | - Nicholas W Roberts
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UG, U.K. ( )
| | - Thomas W Cronin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250 USA ( )
| | - Justin Marshall
- Sensory Neurobiology Group, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld. 4072, Australia ( )
| | - Samuel Achilefu
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110 USA ( )
| | - Spencer P Lake
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA ( )
| | - Baranidharan Raman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA ( )
| | - Viktor Gruev
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA
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13
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Zhao X, Pan X, Fan X, Xu P, Bermak A, Chigrinov VG. Patterned dual-layer achromatic micro-quarter-wave-retarder array for active polarization imaging. OPTICS EXPRESS 2014; 22:8024-34. [PMID: 24718177 DOI: 10.1364/oe.22.008024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we present a liquid-crystal-polymer (LCP)-based dual-layer micro-quarter-wave-retarder (MQWR) array for active polarization image sensors. The proposed MQWRs, for the first time, enable the extraction of the incident light's circularly polarized components in the whole visible regime, which correspond to the fourth parameter of Stokes vector. Compared with the previous implementations, our proposed MQWRs feature high achromaticity, making their applications no longer limited to monochromatic illumination. In addition, the presented thin structure exhibits an overall thickness of 2.43μm, leading to greatly alleviated optical cross-talk between adjacent photo-sensing pixels. Moreover, the reported superior optical performance (e.g. minor transmittance, extinction ratio) validates our optical design and optimization of the proposed MQWRs. Furthermore, the demonstrated simple fabrication recipe offers a cost-effective solution for the monolithic integration between the proposed MQWR array and the commercial solid-state image sensors, which makes the multi-spectral full Stokes polarization imaging system on a single chip feasible.
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14
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Powell SB, Gruev V. Calibration methods for division-of-focal-plane polarimeters. OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 21:21039-55. [PMID: 24103976 DOI: 10.1364/oe.21.021039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Division-of-focal plane (DoFP) imaging polarimeters are useful instruments for measuring polarization information for a variety of applications. Recent advances in nanofabrication have enabled the practical manufacture of DoFP sensors for the visible spectrum. These sensors are made by integrating nanowire polarization filters directly with an imaging array, and size variations of the nanowires due to fabrication can cause the optical properties of the filters to vary up to 20% across the imaging array. If left unchecked, these variations introduce significant errors when reconstructing the polarization image. Calibration methods offer a means to correct these errors. This work evaluates a scalar and matrix calibration derived from a mathematical model of the polarimeter behavior. The methods are evaluated quantitatively with an existing DoFP polarimeter under varying illumination intensity and angle of linear polarization.
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15
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Karman SB, Diah SZM, Gebeshuber IC. Bio-inspired polarized skylight-based navigation sensors: a review. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2012; 12:14232-61. [PMID: 23202158 PMCID: PMC3522911 DOI: 10.3390/s121114232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Revised: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Animal senses cover a broad range of signal types and signal bandwidths and have inspired various sensors and bioinstrumentation devices for biological and medical applications. Insects, such as desert ants and honeybees, for example, utilize polarized skylight pattern-based information in their navigation activities. They reliably return to their nests and hives from places many kilometers away. The insect navigation system involves the dorsal rim area in their compound eyes and the corresponding polarization sensitive neurons in the brain. The dorsal rim area is equipped with photoreceptors, which have orthogonally arranged small hair-like structures termed microvilli. These are the specialized sensors for the detection of polarized skylight patterns (e-vector orientation). Various research groups have been working on the development of novel navigation systems inspired by polarized skylight-based navigation in animals. Their major contributions are critically reviewed. One focus of current research activities is on imitating the integration path mechanism in desert ants. The potential for simple, high performance miniaturized bioinstrumentation that can assist people in navigation will be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salmah B. Karman
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; E-Mails: (S.Z.M.D.); (I.C.G.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - S. Zaleha M. Diah
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; E-Mails: (S.Z.M.D.); (I.C.G.)
| | - Ille C. Gebeshuber
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; E-Mails: (S.Z.M.D.); (I.C.G.)
- Institute of Applied Physics, Vienna University of Technology, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 8-10/134, 1040 Vienna, Austria
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16
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Gao S, Gruev V. Bilinear and bicubic interpolation methods for division of focal plane polarimeters. OPTICS EXPRESS 2011; 19:26161-73. [PMID: 22274203 DOI: 10.1364/oe.19.026161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents bilinear and bicubic interpolation methods tailored for the division of focal plane polarization imaging sensor. The interpolation methods are targeted for a 1-Mega pixel polarization imaging sensor operating in the visible spectrum. The five interpolation methods considered in this paper are: bilinear, weighted bilinear, bicubic spline, an approximated bicubic spline and a bicubic interpolation method. The modulation transfer function analysis is applied to the different interpolation methods, and test images as well as numerical error analyses are also presented. Based on the comparison results, the full frame bicubic spline interpolation achieves the best performance for polarization images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengkui Gao
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis 63130, Missouri, USA.
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Gruev V. Fabrication of a dual-layer aluminum nanowires polarization filter array. OPTICS EXPRESS 2011; 19:24361-9. [PMID: 22109463 DOI: 10.1364/oe.19.024361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we present a procedure for fabricating an array of micropolarization filter array via an optimized interference lithography and microfabrication procedure. The filter array is composed of two linear polarization filters offset by 45 degrees with pixel pitch of 18 microns. The individual polarization filters are composed of aluminum nanowires with 140 nm pitch, 140 nm height and 70 nm width. The maximum extinction ratio of the pixelated filters is measured to be 95 at 700 nm wavelength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Gruev
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.
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Zhao X, Boussaid F, Bermak A, Chigrinov VG. High-resolution thin "guest-host" micropolarizer arrays for visible imaging polarimetry. OPTICS EXPRESS 2011; 19:5565-5573. [PMID: 21445195 DOI: 10.1364/oe.19.005565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We report a micropolarizer array technology exploiting "guest-host" interactions in liquid crystals for visible imaging polarimetry. We demonstrate high resolution thin micropolarizer arrays with a 5 μm×5 μm pixel pitch and a thickness of 0.95 μm. With the "host" nematic liquid crystal molecules photo-aligned by sulfonic azo-dye SD1, we report averaged major principal transmittance, polarization efficiency and order parameter of 80.3%, 0.863 and 0.848, respectively across the 400 nm-700 nm visible spectrum range. The proposed fabrication technology completely removes the need for any selective etching during the fabrication/integration process of the micropolarizer array. Fully CMOS compatible, it is simple and cost-effective, requiring only spin-coating followed by a single ultraviolet-exposure through a "photoalignment master". This makes it well suited to low cost polarization imaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojin Zhao
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Perkins R, Gruev V. Signal-to-noise analysis of Stokes parameters in division of focal plane polarimeters. OPTICS EXPRESS 2010; 18:25815-25824. [PMID: 21164926 DOI: 10.1364/oe.18.025815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
An analysis of the temporal noise in the Stokes parameters computed by division of focal plane polarimeters is presented. Theoretical estimations of the Stokes parameter signal-to-noise ratios for CCD polarization imaging sensors with both 4-polarizer and 2-polarizer micropolarization filter arrays are derived. The theoretical derivation is verified with measurements from an integrated polarization imaging sensor composed of a CCD imaging array and aluminum nanowire polarization filters. The measured data obtained from the CCD polarimeters matches the theoretical derivations of the temporal noise model of the Stokes parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Perkins
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, One Brookings Drive, Box 1045 Washington University, St Louis, Missouri 63130, USA
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Gruev V, Perkins R, York T. CCD polarization imaging sensor with aluminum nanowire optical filters. OPTICS EXPRESS 2010; 18:19087-94. [PMID: 20940803 DOI: 10.1364/oe.18.019087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
We report an imaging sensor capable of recording the optical properties of partially polarized light by monolithically integrating aluminum nanowire optical filters with a CCD imaging array. The imaging sensor, composed of 1000 by 1000 imaging elements with 7.4 μm pixel pitch, is covered with an array of pixel-pitch matched nanowire optical filters with four different orientations offset by 45°. The polarization imaging sensor has a signal-to-noise ratio of 45 dB and captures intensity, angle and degree of linear polarization in the visible spectrum at 40 frames per second with 300 mW of power consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Gruev
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, One Brookings Drive, Box 1045, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
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Gruev V, Van der Spiegel J, Engheta N. Dual-tier thin film polymer polarization imaging sensor. OPTICS EXPRESS 2010; 18:19292-19303. [PMID: 20940825 DOI: 10.1364/oe.18.019292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Traditional imaging systems capture and replicate the imaged environment in terms of color and intensity. One important property of light, which the human eye is blind to and is ignored by traditional imaging systems, is polarization. In this paper we present a novel, low power imaging sensor capable of recording the optical properties of partially linearly polarized light in real-time. The imaging sensor combines polymer polarization filters with a CMOS image sensor in order to compute the first three Stokes parameters at the focal plane. The imaging array contains 100 x 100 pixels and consumes 48 mW at 30 fps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Gruev
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.
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Zhao X, Bermak A, Boussaid F, Chigrinov VG. Liquid-crystal micropolarimeter array for full Stokes polarization imaging in visible spectrum. OPTICS EXPRESS 2010; 18:17776-17787. [PMID: 20721165 DOI: 10.1364/oe.18.017776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we describe the design, modeling, fabrication, and optical characterization of the first micropolarimeter array enabling full Stokes polarization imaging in visible spectrum. The proposed micropolarimeter is fabricated by patterning a liquid-crystal (LC) layer on top of a visible-regime metal-wire-grid polarizer (MWGP) using ultraviolet sensitive sulfonic-dye-1 as the LC photoalignment material. This arrangement enables the formation of either micrometer-scale LC polarization rotators, neutral density filters or quarter wavelength retarders. These elements are in turn exploited to acquire all components of the Stokes vector, which describes all possible polarization states of light. Reported major principal transmittance of 75% and extinction ratio of 1100 demonstrate that the MWGP's superior optical characteristics are retained. The proposed liquidcrystal micropolarimeter array can be integrated on top of a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor for real-time full Stokes polarization imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojin Zhao
- Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Tokuda T, Yamada H, Sasagawa K, Ohta J. Polarization-Analyzing CMOS Image Sensor With Monolithically Embedded Polarizer for Microchemistry Systems. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS 2009; 3:259-266. [PMID: 23853264 DOI: 10.1109/tbcas.2009.2022835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This paper proposes and demonstrates a polarization-analyzing CMOS sensor based on image sensor architecture. The sensor was designed targeting applications for chiral analysis in a microchemistry system. The sensor features a monolithically embedded polarizer. Embedded polarizers with different angles were implemented to realize a real-time absolute measurement of the incident polarization angle. Although the pixel-level performance was confirmed to be limited, estimation schemes based on the variation of the polarizer angle provided a promising performance for real-time polarization measurements. An estimation scheme using 180 pixels in a 1deg step provided an estimation accuracy of 0.04deg. Polarimetric measurements of chiral solutions were also successfully performed to demonstrate the applicability of the sensor to optical chiral analysis.
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Gruev V, Ortu A, Lazarus N, Van der Spiegel J, Engheta N. Fabrication of a dual-tier thin film micropolarization array. OPTICS EXPRESS 2007; 15:4994-5007. [PMID: 19532748 DOI: 10.1364/oe.15.004994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A thin film polarization filter has been patterned and etched using reactive ion etching (RIE) in order to create 8 by 8 microns square periodic structures. The micropolarization filters retain the original extinction ratios of the unpatterned thin film. The measured extinction ratios on the micropolarization filters are approximately 1000 in the blue and green visible spectrum and approximately 100 in the red spectrum. Various gas combinations for RIE have been explored in order to determine the right concentration mix of CF(4) and O(2) that gives optimum etching rate, in terms of speed and under-etching. Theoretical explanation for the optimum etching rate has also been presented. In addition, anisotropic etching with 1 microm under cutting of a 10 microm thick film has been achieved. Experimental results for the patterned structures under polarized light are presented. The array of micropolarizers will be deposited on top of a custom made CMOS imaging sensor in order to compute the first three Stokes parameters in real time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Gruev
- Electrical and Systems Engineering Department, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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