This disclosure relates generally to imaging elements, and more particularly to holographic imaging elements, hybrid lenses, and hybrid zone plates.
An example of a conventional refractive lens is an optical device which transmits light and refracts light, and may converge of diverge a light beam, depending on its configuration. Conventional lenses also include reflective lenses. In some imaging applications, conventional refractive or reflective lenses can be replaced with holographic lenses that serve the same or similar functions.
One area where holographic lenses have found broad use is in short-wavelength imaging. At short wavelengths (e.g., extreme ultraviolet (EUV), soft x-ray, x-ray, etc.), high-quality conventional lenses are often prohibitively difficult or are expensive to fabricate. In contrast, the technology for fabricating holographic lenses has steadily improved.
Originally, holograms were created photographically by interfering light fields from a single coherent light source. Today, holographic optical elements (HOE) may be created from lithographically fabricated fine patterns that modify the impinging light field in specific ways, operating either in transmission or in reflection. One familiar example of these holographic lenses is a zone plate, which can replicate the behavior of a single lens objective in numerous EUV, soft x-ray, and x-ray microscopes around the world; that is, a zone plate is a device used to focus light or other electromagnetic radiation. Unlike conventional lenses, however, zone plates use diffraction instead of refraction.
In some imaging applications, bright field and dark field images may be recorded. The concepts of bright field and dark field imaging have been known to microscope makers and users for decades. Pupil size (i.e., solid angle) and shape control the imaging properties of lenses in an imaging system, including, for example, microscopes used in a broad range of light wavelengths. When a microscope design uses a conventional pupil shape (e.g., circular) and illumination aligned with the central axis of the pupil, the imaging mode is known as bright field (BF); these image forming properties are familiar to many people. However, when the center portion of such a pupil is intentionally blocked, the lowest spatial frequencies of the image (i.e., large feature sizes) are suppressed, and the higher spatial frequencies in the image (i.e., small features) can be enhanced. This imaging mode, which accentuates the edges and smaller features of the object, is called dark field (DF).
In some other imaging applications, in particular those relevant for research in photolithography, a standard mode of data collection is to record images through-focus, meaning that a series of images is generated with a small relative focal shift applied to each. For example, in EUV photomask imaging applications, capturing through-focus series may be used to help guarantee that a best focus image has been recorded for each feature of interest. In addition, the image contrast and behavior of the aerial image in and out of focus are primary areas of interest in evaluating mask properties.
In some embodiments, a hybrid zone plate holographically combines the features of two zone plates with different pupil properties, enabling the simultaneous collection of bright field and dark field images. Although the image intensity of each of the images is reduced as the beam is divided, this advance can improve the sensitivity and versatility of microscopes, which typically operate in one mode or the other. Short-wavelength microscopes, which often use one mode or the other, may use both imaging modes simultaneously. In some embodiments, a hybrid zone plate has the potential to utilize a large detector area, which may include unused, out of focus portions of the field of view due to a tilted focal plane in an off-axis geometry.
In some embodiments, a hybrid zone plate holographically combines the features of multiple zone plates with various properties into the same pupil, thus enabling multiple images to be projected and recorded at once. In some embodiments, a hybrid zone plate simultaneously projects multiple images with different, independent defocus values. Although the intensity scales downward with the number of image divisions, a hybrid zone plate can speed up data collection and minimize the uncertainties that arise from illumination non-uniformities and other motion-related effects. In some embodiments, a hybrid zone plate has the potential to make full use of the large detector area, which may include unused portions of the field of view that serve for navigation.
One innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented an optical device including an imaging element configured to interact with electromagnetic radiation of specific wavelengths and configured to divide a first wavefront of the electromagnetic radiation into a plurality of separate wavefronts. Each of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes imaging information of an object configured to generate an image of the object. Each of the images of the object has different properties compared to other images.
In some embodiments, each of the plurality of separate wavefronts is spatially separated when projected onto a detector. In some embodiments, a first of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes bright field imaging information configured to generate a bright field image of the object, and a second of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes dark field imaging information configured to generate a dark field image of the object. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes imaging information at different defocus values configured to generate a plurality of images of the object at different defocus values. In some embodiments, one image of the plurality of images is in focus.
In some embodiments, the imaging element comprises a holographic imaging element. In some embodiments, the imaging element comprises a holographic imaging element combined with a lens in a single device. In some embodiments, the imaging element comprises a hybrid zone plate. In some embodiments, the hybrid zone plate includes a plurality of overlapping lens patterns. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of overlapping lens patterns generates one of the plurality of separate wavefronts.
Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented a system including an electromagnetic radiation source, a detector, and an imaging element. The electromagnetic radiation source is configured to generate electromagnetic radiation. The imaging element is configured to simultaneously project a plurality of images of an object onto the detector after the electromagnetic radiation interacts with the object. Each of the plurality of images of the object has different properties from others of the plurality of images.
In some embodiments, the imaging element is configured to divide a first wavefront of the electromagnetic radiation into a plurality of separate wavefronts. Each of the plurality of separate wavefronts generates each of the plurality of images of the object. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes different imaging information of the object. In some embodiments, a first of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes bright field imaging information configured to generate a bright field image of the object on the detector, and a second of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes dark field imaging information configured to generate a dark field image of the object on the detector. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes imaging information at a different defocus value configured to generate a plurality of images of the object at different defocus values on the detector.
In some embodiments, the imaging element is incorporated with a zone plate or a lens in a single element. In some embodiments, the imaging element comprises a zone plate and includes a plurality of overlapping lens patterns. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of overlapping lens patterns generates one of the plurality of images of the object.
In some embodiments, the imaging element is configured to project each of the plurality of images of the object onto a separate region of the detector. In some embodiments, the detector comprises a charge coupled device or a micro-channel plate detector.
In some embodiments, the plurality of images includes a bright field image and a dark field image of the object. In some embodiments, each image of the plurality of images is at a different defocus value. In some embodiments, one image of the plurality of images is in focus.
Details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn to scale.
Reference will now be made in detail to some specific examples of the invention including the best modes contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Particular example embodiments of the present invention may be implemented without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process operations have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
Various techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be noted that some embodiments include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless noted otherwise.
A lens is an optical element that can project an image of an illuminated object. For example, if the object is a single point of light, the lens may project a point-like image. A holographic lens does the same thing that a conventional lens does, but it uses the properties of diffraction to bend and focus light, rather than refraction (e.g., with glass lenses) or reflection (e.g., with curved mirrors).
Holographic lenses with specific patterns (i.e., specific lens patterns) can be designed and produced with high accuracy using nanofabrication. They can be small and thin, and they can be used in combination with other imaging elements, such as filters and other lenses, for example. In some applications, such as EUV applications, for example, a holographic lens can cost much less a conventional lens of similar quality. Holographic lenses, however, have a wavelength-dependence and may be less efficient than conventional lenses.
For example, a lens pattern of a holographic lens may be a pattern in a material that blocks electromagnetic radiation of specific wavelengths and defines open regions that allow transmission of electromagnetic radiation, with the pattern being specified such that the electromagnetic radiation constructively interferes at a focal point, creating an image there. Each lens pattern may have its own focal point. A holographic lens can also operate in a reflective mode, with a lens pattern being a pattern in a material that reflects electromagnetic radiation of specific wavelengths and defines open regions that allow absorption of electromagnetic radiation, with the pattern being specified such that the electromagnetic radiation constructively interferes at a focal point
Because the lens pattern of a holographic lens may be specified, multiple lens patterns may be included with a single holographic lens. The multiple lens patterns can be combined in a single, overlapping design pattern, with the multiple lens patterns occupying the same pupil. Such a holographic lens that includes multiple lens patterns may project an image of a single point of light as multiple, spatially separate images, with each of the images having different properties. That is, a holographic lens including a plurality of lens patterns may have a plurality of focal points, with each lens pattern having a separate focal point.
An imaging element configured to simultaneously project multiple images of a single object such that each image includes different information is described herein. The images generated by such an imaging element can be analyzed either as a group or individually. Such an imaging element can be used with different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, including infrared light (wavelengths of about 1 mm to 700 nm), visible light (wavelengths of about 740 nm to 380 nm), ultraviolet light (UV, wavelengths of about 400 nm to 10 nm), extreme ultraviolet radiation (EUV, wavelengths of about 120 nm to 10 nm), and x-rays (wavelengths of about 10 nm to 0.1 nm, including soft x-rays).
An imaging element may be used in which different views or properties of the same object can be simultaneous imaged. For example, in some embodiments, an imaging element may be used to simultaneously generate a bright field image and a dark field image. In some embodiments, this may enhance detection sensitivity or data analysis. As another example, in some embodiments, an imaging element may be used to simultaneously generate multiple images with a varying amount of defocus in each image.
In some embodiments, the imaging element 120 may an integral part of the imaging system 100. In some embodiments, the imaging element 120 may be able to be removed from the imaging system 100 so that an image or images may be formed without using the imaging element 120. In some embodiments, the lens 125 may include a plurality of separate lenses.
In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation source 105 may generate EUV radiation, soft x-rays, or x-rays. In some embodiments, for EUV, soft x-ray, or x-ray wavelength imaging, the imaging element 120 may include a holographic imaging element which may include lens patterns formed in a thin film of metal of sheet of metal, such as gold or nickel, for example. The thin film of metal can block the EUV radiation, soft x-rays, and x-rays, and open regions in the thin film of metal allow for transmission of the EUV radiation, soft x-rays, or x-rays. In some embodiments, the thin film of metal may be about 100 nm to 1 micron thick, depending in part on the wavelength of radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation source 105. In some embodiments, the imaging element 120 may include a support membrane comprising silicon or silicon nitride, for example. In some embodiments, the support membrane may be about 50 nm to 150 nm thick, or about 100 nm thick. The thin film of metal may be disposed on the support membrane, which may impart mechanical strength or rigidity to the thin film of metal. A support membrane may also aid in the fabrication of the imaging element 120 comprising a thin film of metal.
In some embodiments, for EUV, soft x-ray, and x-ray wavelength imaging, the lens 125 may comprise a zone plate. The characteristics of a zone plate are known by a person having ordinary skill in the art.
In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation source 105 may generate infrared light or visible light. In some embodiments, for visible light, the imaging element 120 may comprise a holographic imaging element comprising an optical glass or an optical plastic. The optical glass or optical plastic may include a lens pattern on a surface of the optical glass or optical plastic. The optical glass or optical plastic allows for transmission of the electromagnetic radiation used by the imaging system 100. The lens pattern may be absorbing or reflective to the electromagnetic radiation used by the imaging system 100.
In some embodiments, for visible light, the lens 125 may comprise a conventional lens (e.g., a concave lens or a convex lens) comprising an optical glass or an optical plastic. In some embodiments, for visible light, the lens 125 may comprise a holographic lens or a zone plate. In some embodiments, a holographic lens may be configured to replicate the performance of a conventional lens, using diffraction rather than refraction to focus the incident light.
In some embodiments, the detector 130 may include a charge coupled device (CCD) or a micro-channel plate detector. In some embodiments, the detector 130 may include a spatially sensitive recording media (e.g., film) that is sensitive to the wavelength of radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation source. In some embodiments, the detector 130 may include a plurality of detectors.
In the imaging system 100, the lens 125 may be used for focusing (e.g., imaging) electromagnetic radiation and the imaging element 120 may be used for wavefront division, as described further below. In some embodiments, the imaging element 120 is configured to simultaneously project a plurality of images of an object onto the detector 130 after the electromagnetic radiation interacts with the object. Each of the plurality of images of the object may have different properties from others of the plurality of images.
In some embodiments, an imaging element 120 may include lens patterns of different pupil shapes for bright field and dark field imaging. In some embodiments, an imaging element 120 may include lens patterns of different defocus values for simultaneously imaging an object at the different defocus values.
For example, in some embodiments, the imaging element 120 may be configured to divide a first wavefront of the electromagnetic radiation into a plurality of separate wavefronts. Each of the plurality of wavefronts may generate each of the plurality of images of the object. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes different imaging information of the object. A wavefront including imaging information will generate a specific image of an object; different images (e.g., bright field images, dark field images, images at different defocus values) will generated by wavefronts including different imaging information.
In some embodiments, a first of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes bright field imaging information configured to generate a bright field image of the object on the detector 130. A second of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes dark field imaging information configured to generate a dark field image of the object on the detector 130. Thus, such an imaging element 120 can simultaneously generate bright field and dark field images of an object.
In some embodiments, each of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes imaging information at a different defocus value configured to generate a plurality of images of the object at different defocus values on the detector 130. Thus, such an imaging element 120 can simultaneously generate a plurality of images of an object at different focus values. In some embodiments, one image of the plurality of images is in focus.
In some embodiments, the imaging system 200 may include components similar to the components of the imaging system 100. For example, in some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation source 205 may generate infrared light, visible light, EUV radiation, soft x-rays, or x-rays. In some embodiments, the detector 230 may include a CCD or a micro-channel plate detector. In some embodiments, the detector 230 may include a spatially sensitive recording media (e.g., film) that is sensitive to the wavelength of radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation source. In some embodiments, the detector 230 may include a plurality of detectors.
In some embodiments, the imaging element 220 may be a hybrid lens or a hybrid zone plate. The hybrid lens or hybrid zone plate may include features of the imaging element 120 and features of the lens 125, as described with respect to
In some embodiments, an imaging element 220 including a hybrid zone plate may combine zone plates of different pupil shapes into a single zone plate for bright field and dark field imaging. In some embodiments, an imaging element 220 including a hybrid zone plate may combine zone plates of different defocus values into a single zone plate for simultaneously imaging of an object at the different defocus values.
In some embodiments, a hybrid zone plate may include a plurality of overlapping lens patterns. A lens pattern formed by a plurality of overlapping lens patterns may be determined using the formula described in Example 1 and Example 2, below. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of overlapping lens patterns generates one of a plurality of images of the object.
In some embodiments, a hybrid zone plate may include lens patterns formed in a thin film of metal or a sheet of metal, such as gold or nickel, for example. The thin film of metal can block the EUV radiation, soft x-rays, or x-rays, and open regions in the thin film of metal allow for transmission of the EUV radiation, soft x-rays, or x-rays. In some embodiments, the thin film of metal may be about 100 nm to 1 micron thick, depending in part on the wavelength of radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation source 205. In some embodiments, the imaging element 220 may include a support membrane of comprising silicon or silicon nitride, for example. In some embodiments, the support membrane may be about 50 nm to 150 nm thick, or about 100 nm thick. The thin film of metal may be disposed on the support membrane, which may impart mechanical strength or rigidity to the thin film of metal. A support membrane may also aid in the fabrication of a hybrid zone plate comprising a thin film of metal.
In some embodiments, an imaging element 220 including a hybrid lens may combine a conventional lens and a holographic imaging element in a single element. In some embodiments, the hybrid lens may comprise an optical glass or an optical plastic. In some embodiments, the optical glass or an optical plastic may form a converging lens (e.g., a biconvex lens or a plano-convex lens). In some embodiments, the optical glass or optical plastic may include a lens pattern on a surface or a curved surface of the optical glass or optical plastic. The optical glass or optical plastic allows for transmission of the electromagnetic radiation used by the imaging system. The lens pattern may be absorbing or reflective to the electromagnetic radiation used by the imaging system.
In some embodiments, the imaging element 220 may be configured to divide a first wavefront of the electromagnetic radiation into a plurality of separate wavefronts. Each of the plurality of wavefronts may generate each of the plurality of images of the object. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes different imaging information of the object.
In some embodiments, a first of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes bright field imaging information configured to generate a bright field image of the object on the detector 230. A second of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes dark field imaging information configured to generate a dark field image of the object on the detector 230. Thus, such an imaging element 220 can simultaneously generate bright field and dark field images of an object.
In some embodiments, each of the plurality of separate wavefronts includes imaging information at a different defocus value configured to generate a plurality of images of the object at different defocus values on the detector 230. Thus, such an imaging element 220 can simultaneously generate a plurality of images of an object at different focus values. In some embodiments, one image of the plurality of images is in focus.
As known by one of ordinary skill in the art, holographic lenses/zone plates can be lithographically fabricated using, for example, electron-beam lithography. The pattern design of a zone plate may be drawn or laid out in a specific manner. The pattern design may include regions opaque to the electromagnetic radiation used in the imaging system and regions transparent to the electromagnetic radiation used in the imaging system. A holographic imaging element may also be lithographically fabricated using, for example, electron-beam lithography.
The following examples are intended to be examples of embodiments disclosed herein, and are not intended to be limiting. The principles set forth in the examples below are applicable to imaging systems and imaging elements (i.e., holographic imaging elements, hybrid lenses, and hybrid zone plates) configured to operate at wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., from infrared light to x-rays).
A hybrid zone plate for mask blank inspection using the Actinic Inspection Tool (AIT) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is described below. The AIT is an EUV (13 nm wavelength) photomask microscope that operates at the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and uses a zone plate as a high-magnification objective lens. One function of a hybrid zone plate described below is to image defects using bright field imaging and dark field imaging simultaneously with the charge-coupled device (CCD) camera geometry used in the AIT. Previous investigations have shown the importance of both bright field and dark field imaging in the detection of amplitude defects and phase defects on EUV masks. Pairing these two modes of operation, however, has been a challenging aspect of system design, and most planned or operating systems choose one mode or the other. With a hybrid zone plate, both modes are used simultaneously, enhancing the potential defect detection sensitivity of mask inspection tools.
For heuristic purposes, two related concepts are presented to describe variations of a hybrid lens. Imagine that a lens with a circular pupil is divided into two regions: a smaller-diameter circular portion at the center of the original pupil, and an annular ring that surrounds it. The original lens is the superposition of these two sub-lenses, and its performance can be described by adding the properties of both lenses together. Yet individually, the imaging properties of the two sub-lenses would be quite different than when they are combined. The inner section performs like a BF lens with a smaller numerical aperture, while the annular portion performs like a DF lens, with a central obscuration equal to the smaller circular lens.
Now suppose that each sub-lens is given a different angular deviation produced by a phase-wedge or tilt. It is then possible to spatially separate the images produced by the BF lens and the DF lens so that they do not overlap. The two lens images may then be projected onto a single detector (e.g., a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera), enabling side-by-side BF and DF images to be recorded simultaneously. Alternatively, two lens images may then be projected onto two separated detectors.
More specifically, a hybrid zone plate as described in this example is a holographic lens that includes two or more overlapping lens patterns, A and B, where each lens pattern can project a spatially separate image onto one or more detectors. Lens A is a BF lens (which in the absence of lens B may be a conventional zone plate). Lens B is a DF lens, with its center portion obscured. The two lenses focus light in separate directions so the images do not overlap on the detector, and they can be analyzed either separately or together. One aspect of such a hybrid zone plate is that the two lenses occupy the same full pupil diameter, and they rely on the holographic principle to exist simultaneously.
Consider the schematic pupil designs shown in
In the measurement of a bright, reflective surface, such as an EUV mask blank, BF images are expected to have a much higher peak intensity than DF images. When both images are projected onto the same detector, there could be some difficulty finding an exposure time or signal level that is appropriate. For this reason, the transmission amplitude of lens A may be reduced by adjusting its duty cycle, for example.
Some holographic imaging elements may be generated with complex mathematical algorithms. In contrast, a hybrid zone plate pattern may be calculated deterministically, based on the object and image positions, and the desired pupil shapes. Following the holographic principle, the calculation mathematically determines the interference pattern that would be formed in the lens plane if each of the projected images were back-propagated to that plane and were allowed to interfere with a single spherical wave emanating from the object position. The relative weighting (i.e., amplitude) of the object wave can be selected to optimize the image intensity. Once the interference has been calculated, the pattern can be binarized (i.e., made black and white, or transparent and opaque) for fabrication, if needed.
To illustrate the calculation method, consider the example of the schematic drawing of an on-axis version of the hybrid zone plate shown in
Mathematically, if spherical waves from the object point and from the various image points were allowed to interfere in the lens plane, the intensity of the interference pattern, I(r), with a lens-plane spatial coordinate r could be written as
For generality, weighting factors wn have been included in the formulation. In a simple formulation that produces high contrast, w0=N, and wn=1 for all n greater than 0. Other weightings, however, may be useful in different circumstances.
The following calculations were made for a visible-light analog of the AIT, using smaller magnification ratios, to demonstrate the hybrid zone plate concept. Calculations assume monochromatic, coherent illumination.
Each of the following examples includes three images: (1) the hybrid zone plate pattern; (2) the image formed from a point source (i.e., the object), and (3) the image intensity raised to the 0.25 power, to reveal the low-level features.
From a study of the above-images from the respective hybrid zone plates, there are several considerations that may improve the imaging performance or quality:
Grid displacement. In cases where there are more than two image points (as in
Phase randomization. Each image can have its own constant phase term, which affects the appearance of the holographic optical elements (HOEs), but does not significantly change the projected image. However, where images do overlap, the phase differences between adjacent images can be controlled to affect the constructive and destructive interferences.
Intensity optimization. As described above regarding the calculation of a hybrid zone plate pattern, when calculating the interference among the various waves, the wave amplitudes should be considered as free parameters subject to optimization. Furthermore, the HOE binarization process can be set as a threshold at an arbitrary intensity level. These free parameters may be optimized, for example, to produce the highest total image flux.
A hybrid zone plate for EUV mask blank inspection using the AIT at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is described below. One function of the hybrid zone plate described below is to simultaneously project multiple images of a single object on a detector in such a way that each image contains different information. The images can be analyzed either as a group or individually.
For the AIT in particular, one limitation of the through-focus data series quality comes from illumination non-uniformities. As the mask is moved longitudinally (through focus), the mask position within the illumination pattern shifts, changing the illumination in the vicinity of the features being imaged. This issue may be addressed by introducing a hybrid zone plate that replaces the zone plate.
In general, given a known illumination pattern, a holographic lens can be designed to project nearly arbitrary fields onto a detector. The zone plate is one simple case of how a holographic lens can operate. One concept described in this example is to change the holographic lens to simultaneously project multiple images onto the detector with some lateral displacement between each image. When the illumination pattern is restricted to a small area around a feature of interest, then the separation between the multiple projected images can help guarantee that the images do not overlap.
The desired properties of each image can be separately designed into the holographic element. For example, when each separate image is assigned a varying amount of defocus, then the projected images will represent a through-focus series captured in just one exposure. In this case the hologram is designed to be the superposition of multiple lenses with slightly different focal lengths (e.g., to generate the focal series) and tilts (e.g., to separate the images on the detector). Each of the sub-lenses can share the same numerical aperture of the full pupil because rather than existing side-by-side in the lens area, they fully overlap.
Such a hybrid zone plate has several benefits for EUV mask inspection, including:
A. Illumination uniformity or consistency. Since the multiple images projected by the hybrid zone plate all come from a single illuminated object, the data in the through-focus series is much less susceptible to the variations in illumination uniformity that occur when the series is collected mechanically. That is, the image-to-image illumination non-uniformities that arise in manual or automatic through-focus data collection can be overcome.
B. Data collection throughput. In principle, the hybrid zone plate could increase the data throughput by almost 2 times in the AIT, or more. This is because it removes the current need for a waiting time during which the mechanical stages settle and stabilize between images. However, the conservation of energy principle dictates that as the image is split into multiple parts, the intensity of each sub-image will scale accordingly. Image intensity with a hybrid zone plate scales as the reciprocal of the number of individual sub-images projected. Therefore, hybrid zone plate that projects 10 images, for example, would require a 10 times longer exposure time to achieve the same signal level.
C. Field of view considerations. In the AIT, a small region within the full images is used for data analysis. The current configuration of the AIT projects a field of view that is about 30 microns wide; however, various considerations limit the usable field of view to about 2 microns to 5 microns near the center of the image. The rest of the image is not considered except for navigation.
For a hybrid zone plate, the illuminated area can be restricted to a few microns. The hybrid zone plate projects multiple displaced images onto the detector in such a way that they are physically separate and do not overlap across the region of interest. The pattern could be a grid, as shown in
Some holographic elements require complex mathematical algorithms to produce. In contrast, a hybrid zone plate pattern may be calculated deterministically, based on the object and image positions and the desired defocus magnitudes. Following the holographic principle, the calculation mathematically determines the interference pattern that would be formed in the lens plane if each of the projected images were back-propagated to that plane and were allowed to interfere with a single spherical wave emanating from the object position. The relative weighting (i.e., amplitude) of the object wave can be selected to optimize the image intensity. Once the interference has been calculated, the pattern can be binarized for fabrication, if needed.
Mathematically, if spherical waves from the object point and from the various image points were allowed to interfere in the lens plane, the intensity of the interference pattern, I(r), could be written as
For generality, weighting factors wn have been included in the formulation. In a simple formulation that produces high contrast, w0=N, and wn=1 for all n greater than 0. However, other weightings may prove useful in different circumstances. The weighting factors can be complex values that impart a constant phase term to the wave.
While there may be numerous variations on a hybrid zone plate, there are a few configurations relating to the positions and angles of the three primary elements: object, hybrid zone plate, and detector. Two examples are shown
The off-axis geometry of the AIT, as shown in
The following calculations were made for a visible-light analog of the AIT, using smaller magnification ratios, as a means to demonstrate a hybrid zone plate. The calculations assume monochromatic, coherent illumination. The same optical parameters as used in the calculations in EXAMPLE 1 were used in these calculations. Each of the following examples includes three images: (1) the hybrid zone plate pattern; (2) the image formed from a point source (object), and (3) the image intensity raised to the 0.25 power, to reveal the low-level features.
From a study of the above-images from the respective hybrid zone plates, there are several considerations that may improve the imaging performance or quality:
Grid displacement. As described with respect to
Phase randomization. Each image can have its own constant phase term, which affects the appearance of the HOE, but does not significantly change the projected image. However, where images do overlap, the phase differences between adjacent images can be controlled to affect the constructive and destructive interferences.
Intensity optimization. When calculating the interference among the various waves, the wave amplitudes should be considered as free parameters, subject to optimization. Furthermore, the intensity threshold level used in the hybrid zone plate binarization process can also be optimized. The merit function used in the optimization may be selected in any desired manner, for example, to produce the highest image intensity.
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of invention.
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2013/056644, filed Aug. 26, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/695,933, filed Aug. 31, 2012, both of which are herein incorporated by reference. This application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,963,395, which is herein incorporated by reference.
This invention was made with government support under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in this invention.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61695933 | Aug 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US2013/056644 | Aug 2013 | US |
Child | 14627180 | US |