Speckle reduction methods in laser-based picture projectors

Laser sources have been promised for many years to be better light sources as compared to traditional lamps or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for projectors, which enable projectors having wide colour gamut for vivid image, super brightness and high contrast for the best picture quality, long lifetime for maintain free operation, mercury free, and low power consumption for green environment. A major technology obstacle in using lasers for projection has been the speckle noise caused by to the coherent nature of the lasers. For speckle reduction, current state of the art solutions apply moving parts with large physical space demand. Solutions beyond the state of the art need to be developed such as integrated optical components, hybrid MOEMS devices, and active phase modulators for compact speckle reduction. In this article, major methods reported in the literature for the speckle reduction in laser projectors are presented and explained. With the advancement in semiconductor lasers with largely reduced cost for the red, green and the blue primary colours, and the developed methods for their speckle reduction, it is hoped that the lasers will be widely utilized in different projector applications in the near future.     

Verification of speckle contrast measurement interrelation with observation distance

The speckle contrasts of two types of laser projectors were measured at various observation distances and observation lens pinhole diameters using a quantitative measurement technique. We found that the speckle contrast as a function of the observation numerical aperture varies with the projection architecture. In a full-frame projector, it is proportional to the numerical aperture, but it is proportional to its square root in a raster-scanned projector. The difference in speckle contrast as a function of the numerical aperture was analyzed based on Goodman’s speckle theory. The obtained results were found to be very useful and applicable for speckle evaluation and display qualifications in an arbitrary observer’s position.     

微型激光光学引擎中光学噪音的抑制

分析了微型激光投影引擎的两种主要光学噪音|干涉网格和激光散斑产生的基理|提出采用振动的随机位相板同时实现干涉网格和激光散斑抑制的方法并进行了理论分析|自行设计了微型激光投影引擎,利用微型电控马达带动随机位相板振动,用CCD相机在不同的F#及曝光时间下对投影图像进行了采集,并对图像的散斑对比度行了测试.结果表明,通过静止的随机位相板可以很好地抑制干涉网格噪音|通过使随机位相板以大于视觉暂留效应形成的融合频率进行振动,可以同时抑制干涉网格和激光散斑,使得散斑对比度小于5%,达到投影观察的要求.     

Research on DMD infrared scene projector with a high contrast ratio infrared prism design

In this paper a single-DMD infrared scene projector with a high contrast ratio prism design of the illumination optical system is presented. By using the innovative infrared three-element TIR prism group, the off-state and flat-state light that reflected by the DMD could be all steered away from the projection lens. The contrast ratio and optical efficiency has been improved with this three-element TIR prism as the light-separator. This DMD infrared scene projector also features low-profile and compact structure. The illumination and projection optical systems are proved to be of great efficient light utilization. In this letter we analyze the impacts of optical efficiency on temperature simulation. This architecture with three-element TIR prism added could be used in IRSP based single-DMD to improve contrast and optical efficiency.     

Nonuniform intensity distribution of the scattered light by moving diffuser across projection lens pupil and its influence in speckle reduction

The measurement of the nonuniform intensity distribution of scattered light by a moving diffuser using an integrating sphere, which lowers the effective numerical aperture of the projection lens and affects the lowest speckle contrast, is reported. A comparison of the effective numerical apertures realized by several diffusers revealed that JIS #600 or #800 diffusers are most appropriate for efficient speckle reduction     

用于中小型飞行模拟器的球带幕投影镜头的光学设计

针对现有沉浸式飞行模拟器进一步小型化和低成本化的需求,设计了一款应用于中小型飞行模拟器的球带幕投影镜头。论文确定了投影方案中各部件(球带幕、投影机、投影物镜)的关键参数,设计的球带幕投影镜头具有172°的视场角和6∶1的反远比,将一台装有该镜头的投影机置于银幕上沿就可以将画面投满整个球带幕。文中给出了大视场、大反远比光学系统的构造方法,对大视场非相似成像系统中的畸变、场曲和相对照度进行了分析和讨论,并给出了改善照度均匀性的有效途径。该镜头以8片透镜的低成本结构满足了4 k分辨率的高质量投影需求,在奈奎斯特频率185 lp/mm处全部视场的MTF值均达到了0.4以上,且具有良好的工艺性。     

利用振动光纤减弱激光散斑的研究

在激光投影显示技术中,引入振动光纤的方法能够以较小的能量损失减弱激光散斑.本文利用广义范西特-泽尼克定理对激光投影显示中采用振动光纤抑制散斑做了理论分析.结果表明,散斑衬比度的大小取决于光纤的模式数和投影系统的光瞳大小,对于相同大小的像面,收集更多的光纤模式数和增大孔径均可减弱散斑衬比度.用两种不同的多模光纤所做的对比...     

利用振动光纤减弱激光散斑的研究

在激光投影显示技术中,引入振动光纤的方法能够以较小的能量损失减弱激光散斑.本文利用广义范西特-泽尼克定理对激光投影显示中采用振动光纤抑制散斑做了理论分析.结果表明,散斑衬比度的大小取决于光纤的模式数和投影系统的光瞳大小,对于相同大小的像面,收集更多的光纤模式数和增大孔径均可减弱散斑衬比度.用两种不同的多模光纤所做的对比实验定性证实了这一结论.研究结果对光纤的选择和投影系统的设计有一定的指导意义.     

Resolution improvement in optical projection tomography by the focal scanning method

Optical projection tomography (OPT) requires the depth of field (DOF) of the lens to cover at least half of the sample. There is a trade-off between obtaining high resolution with a high-NA lens and obtaining large DOF with a low-NA lens. The DOF of a high-NA objective lens can be extended by scanning its focal plane through the sample. We call this extended DOF image a "pseudoprojection." Images reconstructed from these pseudoprojections have isometric resolution, which can be the same as the lateral resolution of the high-NA objective. The focal scanning method produces an over 10× improvement in OPT resolution.     

小口径双通道球幕投影镜头的设计

为提高球幕投影成像质量,提出了双通道球幕投影方案,并基于此方案,为3.05 cm(1.2英寸)3DMD芯片技术投影机设计了双通道球幕投影镜头。根据投影方案确定了设计指标,对初始结构的选型做出了合理的分析,阐述了光学设计过程,给出了像差优化及设计结果的评价。为避免镜头口径过大引起的重心不稳,通过合理控制光线入射高度,将镜头首片透镜的口径进行了大幅度的压缩,最终口径仅为102 mm。设计的成像质量高、像质均匀的球幕双拼投影镜头F#为2.5,反远比为6:1,1.0视场在38 lp/mm的Nyquist频率处MTF值为0.5,0.85以内视场的MTF值达到0.65以上,最大横向色差为4.7 μm,小于0.5 pixel。     

形貌与微变形全场光学同时测量方法

在实际工程应用中,对材料形貌和结构变形等参量的检测是必不可少的,而且往往需要进行多参量同时测量。针对该背景,采用数字散斑干涉与数字条纹投影相结合的测量方法, 设计了一种集成光路,通过在数字散斑干涉实验光路中引入一个投影设备,实现物体表面形貌和微变形的同时测量。所提出的方法具有全场非接触测量的优点,且测量光路简单、操作方便、效率高、可靠性强。该方法的形貌测量分辨率优于10 μm,形变测量分辨率优于30 nm。     

行星光学远程着陆模拟器光学系统设计

为了实现对行星光学远程着陆过程的光学模拟以及满足行星光学远程着陆系统导航算法的地面测试需求,提出了以商用投影仪显示系统为基础的模拟器光学系统方案,重点阐述了系统的光学设计思想,并给出了设计结果.首先,介绍了模拟器的工作原理和系统组成,在此基础上,由技术要求及所选择的投影仪和CCD参数确定了投影镜头和成像镜头的光学系统指标,最后给出了投影镜头、成像镜头及系统对接的光学结构图,像差曲线、点列图和MTF曲线图.仿真分析结果表明:系统的点列图中的弥散斑对称性都很好,有利于模拟器系统的后续图像处理和判读,同时系统在Nyquist频率(91 lp/mm)处的MTF设计值接近0.6,系统整体成像性能良好.设计结果可作为研制行星光学远程着陆模拟器系统的基础.     

非全息衍射投影（英文）

提出了一种无需全息计算和相干照明的衍射投影方法和投影系统,利用非相干的准直LED光源和傅里叶变换透镜取代全息迭代计算获得被投影图像的空间频谱,再利用空间频谱在自由空间中的瑞利索墨菲衍射实现了小投射比、无限景深的图像投影.详细推导了投影方法的成像过程,解析了投影系统的强度脉冲响应函数.实验搭建了一套非全息衍射投影系统,对投影过程中产生的像差和亮度不均匀进行矫正,获得了无相干噪音的高品质衍射图像,实现了投射比为0.87的无限景深的衍射投影.在相距大于800 mm的不同深度平面上同时获得了清晰的投影图像,从而验证了方法的可行性.该投影方法和系统在球幕投影、任意曲面屏幕投影和增强现实投影等领域具有潜在的应用.     

Lens distortion elimination for improving measurement accuracy of fringe projection profilometry

Fringe projection profilometry (FPP) is a powerful method for three-dimensional (3D) shape measurement. However, the measurement accuracy of the existing FPP is often hindered by the distortion of the lens used in FPP. In this paper, a simple and efficient method is presented to overcome this problem. First, the FPP system is calibrated as a stereovision system. Then, the camera lens distortion is eliminated by correcting the captured images. For the projector lens distortion, distorted fringe patterns are generated according to the lens distortion model. With these distorted fringe patterns, the projector can project undistorted fringe patterns, which means that the projector lens distortion is eliminated. Experimental results show that the proposed method can successfully eliminate the lens distortions of FPP and therefore improves its measurement accuracy.     

用于投影机的发光二极管照明单元

目前的投影机光源——高压汞灯存在寿命短、色温高、存在有害光线、发热集中等缺点,严重制约了投影机进入家庭应用领域。发光二极管的最近发展为其作为高压汞灯的替代光源提供了可能性。提出了一种由一个发光二极管、一个准直镜、一个前蝇眼透镜和一个后蝇眼透镜组成的用于投影机的发光二极管照明单元,由数个照明单元加上会聚透镜则构成一个基本的照明系统。发光二极管的发光经准直镜压缩光束发散角后被前蝇眼透镜分割为多个细光束,会聚透镜将每个细光束都叠加会聚到显示芯片上,实现光能量的会聚和光场再分布．以满足投影机对光通量和光场均匀性等方面的要求,后蝇眼透镜用于与后续光路的匹配。作为照明单元的一个应用实例,文中分析了一种单片式硅上液晶投影机。     

通用型短焦投影镜头的设计

为设计一款可用于不同规格的投影机的通用型短焦投影镜头,整合了应用较为广泛的几款主流机型的光学特征参数,以不同机型内部光学引擎的的不同尺寸的分色合色棱镜作为镜头的一部分,建立多重结构,并根据不同机型参数合理确定了镜头的像高、分辨率、后工作距等设计指标,设计了一款短焦投影镜头,可用于0.63英寸（1.6 cm）~0.8英寸(2.03 cm)芯片且基于单DMD或3LCD技术的投影机,投射比为0.8:1~0.95:1。分析了短焦投影镜头中较难处理的照度和畸变问题,最后给出了可行的解决办法,并对光学系统进行了公差分析。     

采用大口径投影光学系统监测远场散斑特征参数

大口径投影光学系统采用低成本、大口径菲涅耳透镜制作,可将远场散斑强度分布投影到CCD成像探测器上。通过CCD图像处理,能够对给定孔径上的接收功率、闪烁指数进行量化评估;在接收孔径足够大、保障散斑不会因为光束漂移效应而脱离菲涅耳透镜的条件下,该系统还可以对光束漂移和特征半径进行量化评估。同时讨论了CCD像元响应非均匀性误差及其影响、CCD辐照响应函数和图像几何投影系数的定标方法。实验表明,系统能够对激光大气传输过程中的远场散斑特征参数进行监测。特别对自由空间激光通信系统而言,可以为大气衰减和多种大气湍流效应综合作用下的中值电平慢衰落研究和检测阈值优化设计提供实验数据支撑。     

Flexible digital projector calibration method based on per-pixel distortion measurement and correction

When a digital projector is applied in high precision applications, the intrinsic parameters and distortion characteristics should be calibrated precisely. In this paper, a flexible full-field projector calibration method is proposed without any approximate distortion model. With planar homography theory and fringe projection technique, the projector distortion characteristic on each pixel can be measured independently and an initial distortion map is generated. The intrinsic parameters are calibrated afterwards. Then, the initial distortion map can be refined by correcting the non-perpendicularity between the optical axis and image plane. The original pattern to be projected is corrected with the refined distortion map. Thus, the calibrated projector can be regarded as an ideal projector conforming to the pinhole model. Experimental results show a nearly ideal residual map for the corrected projection pattern. In addition, the proposed calibration method is flexible without any sophisticated ancillary equipment or complicated procedure.     

中波红外景象投影光学系统消热差设计

针对红外成像系统性能测试与评估的应用需求,设计了一套基于数字微镜器件的消热差的中波红外景象投影光学系统.探讨了红外视景仿真用投影光学系统的像差特性和设计方法,并对投影系统的无热化进行了分析.采用分光板和补偿板方案,解决了大相对孔径条件下投影系统的远心照明分光和像差平衡问题,提高了分辨率和均匀性,增大了视场.系统由远心投...     

Understanding the exposure-time effect on speckle contrast measurements for laser displays

To evaluate the influence of exposure time on speckle noise for laser displays, speckle contrast measurement method was developed observable at a human eye response time using a high-sensitivity camera which has a signal multiplying function. The nonlinearity of camera light sensitivity was calibrated to measure accurate speckle contrasts, and the measuring lower limit noise of speckle contrast was improved by applying spatial-frequency low pass filter to the captured images. Three commercially available laser displays were measured over a wide range of exposure times from tens of milliseconds to several seconds without adjusting the brightness of laser displays. The speckle contrast of raster-scanned mobile projector without any speckle-reduction device was nearly constant over various exposure times. On the contrary to this, in full-frame projection type laser displays equipped with a temporally-averaging speckle-reduction device, some of their speckle contrasts close to the lower limits noise were slightly increased at the shorter exposure time due to the noise. As a result, the exposure-time effect of speckle contrast could not be observed in our measurements, although it is more reasonable to think that the speckle contrasts of laser displays, which are equipped with the temporally-averaging speckle-reduction device, are dependent on the exposure time. This discrepancy may be attributed to the underestimation of temporal averaging factor. We expected that this method is useful for evaluating various laser displays and clarify the relationship between the speckle noise and the exposure time for a further verification of speckle reduction.