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Samsung patents camera system using liquid crystals to control light

This patent describes an imaging system that uses liquid crystal layers to control how light passes through a meta-lens. By applying different voltages to the liquid crystals before and after the lens, the system can adjust the polarization of the light hitting the image sensor.

Why it mattersThis technology could help improve image quality or enable new inspection tools by giving engineers more precise control over light behavior in cameras.

In the filing’s own words

An imaging system that includes a first polarization structure that polarizes light provided from a light source into first polarized light, a first power supply connected to the first polarization structure and that applies a first voltage to the first polarization structure, a meta-lens on which the first polarized light is incident, a second polarization structure that converts the first polarized light that passes through the meta-lens into second polarized light, a second power supply connected to the second polarization structure and that applies a second voltage to the second polarization structure, and an image sensor that senses the second polarized light. The first voltage and the second voltage are different from each other.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An imaging system comprising: a first polarization structure configured to polarize light provided from a light source into first polarized light responsive to a first voltage; a first power supply connected to the first polarization structure, and the first power supply is configured to apply the first voltage to the first polarization structure; a meta-lens on which the first polarized light is incident; a second polarization structure configured to convert the first polarized light that passes through the meta-lens into second polarized light responsive to a second voltage; a second power supply connected to the second polarization structure, and the second power supply configured to apply the second voltage to the second polarization structure; and an image sensor configured to sense the second polarized light, wherein the first voltage and the second voltage are different from each other, the first polarization structure includes a first polarizing plate and a first liquid crystal, the first power supply is connected to the first liquid crystal, and the first power supply is configured to apply the first voltage to the first liquid crystal, and the second polarization structure includes a second polarizing plate and a second liquid crystal, the second power supply is connected to the second liquid crystal, and the second power supply is configured to apply the second voltage to the second liquid crystal.

Facts

Company
Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
Official title
Imaging system and imaging inspection apparatus including the same
Patent number
US12742737B2
Application number
18623629
Filed
Apr 1, 2024
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Inventors
7
Claims
20

Classified under

G01N 21/8806 Physics & computingG01N 21/21 Physics & computingG01N 21/8851 Physics & computingG01N 2021/8848 Physics & computingG01N 2201/069 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.