Light source system for fluorescence microscope and fluorescence microscope

Abstract

The invention provides a light source system for a fluorescence microscope and the fluorescence microscope, and relates to the technical field of light sources. The light source system for the fluorescence microscope comprises a light source module, a collimating lens and a light mixing lens group, the light source module, the collimating lens and the light mixing lens group are arranged in sequence, the light source module comprises a substrate and a plurality of light-emitting chips arranged on the substrate, the collimating lens is of a total reflection structure, and the light-emitting chips are arranged on the substrate. The light source system for the fluorescence microscope can reduce occupied space and reduce cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of light source technology, and in particular to a light source system for a fluorescence microscope and a fluorescence microscope. Background Art

[0002] Early light sources for fluorescence microscopes were mainly mercury lamps or mercury arc lamps, which can provide light of various wavelengths from ultraviolet to infrared, but the intensity is relatively weak. With the development of technology, modern fluorescence microscopes usually use more advanced solid-state light sources LED, more precisely, integrated light sources coupled with multi-band LEDs.

[0003] For the optical path design of multi-band LED fluorescence microscope light sources, a refractive lens group is usually used to adjust the collimated light, and a binocular mirror is used to achieve light coupling of different wavelengths. This solution played a significant role in improving the brightness of early LEDs when they were insufficient. However, this design also brings some challenges, such as the large overall structure space of the light source, the inconvenience of the light inlet of the external microscope, and the increase in cost. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present application includes, for example, providing a light source system for a fluorescence microscope, which can solve the problems mentioned in the background technology.

[0005] The purpose of the present application also includes providing a fluorescence microscope that can solve the problems mentioned in the background technology.

[0006] The embodiments of the present application can be implemented as follows:

[0007] An embodiment of the present application provides a light source system for a fluorescence microscope, which includes a light source module, a collimating lens and a mixing lens group. The light source module, the collimating lens and the mixing lens group are arranged in sequence. The light source module includes a substrate and a plurality of light-emitting chips arranged on the substrate. The collimating lens has a total reflection structure.

[0008] Optionally, the light source module further includes packaging glass, and the packaging glass is packaged on the same side surface of the plurality of light-emitting chips.

[0009] Optionally, a frosted area is provided in the middle of the surface of the encapsulation glass facing away from the light-emitting chip, and the frosted area is circular in shape. Along the arrangement direction of the light source module, the collimating lens and the mixing lens group, the projection of the frosted area overlaps with multiple parts of the light-emitting chips at the same time.

[0010] Optionally, the number of the light-emitting chips is four, and the four light-emitting chips are arranged in a matrix, with any two adjacent light-emitting chips being spaced apart.

[0011] Optionally, the collimating lens simultaneously satisfies:

[0012]

[0013] n·OA+n 0 OB = constant value;

[0014] in, is the normal vector at the incident point, is the normal vector at the total reflection point, is the vector from the center point O of the bottom surface of the collimating lens to the incident point A, is the vector from the incident point A to the total reflection point B, is the vector from the total reflection point B to the emission point R, n 0 is the refractive index of air, and n is the refractive index of the lens material.

[0015] Optionally, the collimating lens is a rotationally symmetric structure.

[0016] Optionally, the light mixing lens group includes two micro-array lenses, the two micro-array lenses are arranged at an interval, and the interval between the two micro-array lenses is consistent with the focal length of any one of the micro-array lenses.

[0017] Optionally, the microarray lens is an aspherical lens.

[0018] Optionally, the light source system for a fluorescence microscope further includes an optical sensor, which is disposed on the substrate and is used to detect light reflection intensity.

[0019] The present application also provides a fluorescence microscope, including the light source system for the fluorescence microscope.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the light source system for a fluorescence microscope and the fluorescence microscope provided in the embodiments of the present application include, for example: the light source system for a fluorescence microscope includes a light source module, a collimating lens and a mixing lens group, the light source module, the collimating lens and the mixing lens group are arranged in sequence, the light source module includes a substrate and a plurality of light-emitting chips arranged on the substrate, and the collimating lens has a total reflection structure.

[0021] The light source system for the fluorescence microscope uses a single collimating lens with a total reflection structure to optically control multiple light-emitting chips, omits binocular mirrors and other light-splitting elements, reduces the overall structural space of the light source system, makes it easy to hang on the light entrance of the microscope, and reduces the cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present application, and thus should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other relevant drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the light source system in the embodiments of the present application;

[0024] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the first perspective of the light source module in the embodiments of the present application;

[0025] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the second perspective of the light source module in the embodiments of the present application;

[0026] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing the light path in the collimating lens in the embodiments of the present application.

[0027] Icons: 100 - light source module; 110 - substrate; 120 - light-emitting chip; 130 - encapsulation glass; 131 - frosted area; 200 - collimating lens; 300 - light mixing lens group; 310 - microarray lens. Detailed implementation manners

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. Usually, the components of the embodiments of the present application described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0029] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present application to be protected, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0030] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings.

[0031] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that if the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", etc. appear to indicate an orientation or position relationship, it is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, or is the orientation or position relationship in which the product of the invention is usually placed when used. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0032] In addition, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., if used, are merely used to distinguish between the descriptions and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the features in the embodiments of the present application may be combined with each other.

[0034] In the field of fluorescence microscopy, the choice of light source and lighting method are extremely important to the image quality of the microscope, which is mainly reflected in the following aspects: 1) Improving the image quality. A suitable light source can provide excitation light of sufficient intensity and monochromaticity, thereby ensuring that the fluorescent substance can be fully excited and produce a strong fluorescence signal, which helps to improve the contrast and clarity of the image; 2) Protecting the sample. When selecting a light source, its potential impact on the sample needs to be considered; 3) Expanding the scope of application. With the continuous development of light source technology, the application scope of fluorescence microscopy is also expanding. Based on the above requirements, for different imaging objects, the wavelength, brightness, and spot quality of the required light source will have corresponding requirements and standards.

[0035] Early light sources for fluorescence microscopes were mainly mercury lamps or mercury arc lamps, which can provide light of various wavelengths from ultraviolet to infrared, but the intensity is relatively weak. With the development of technology, modern fluorescence microscopes usually use more advanced solid-state light sources LED, more precisely, integrated light sources coupled with multi-band LEDs.

[0036] For the optical path design of multi-band LED fluorescence microscope light sources, a refractive lens group is usually used to adjust the collimated light, and a binocular mirror is used to achieve light coupling of different wavelengths. This solution played a significant role in improving the brightness of early LEDs when they were insufficient. However, this design also brings some challenges, such as the large overall structural space of the light source, the inconvenience of the light inlet of an external microscope, and the increase in cost. The embodiments of the present application provide a light source system for a fluorescence microscope, which is at least used to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 1-4The light source system for a fluorescence microscope provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a light source module 100, a collimating lens 200 and a mixing lens group 300. The light source module 100, the collimating lens 200 and the mixing lens group 300 are arranged in sequence. The light source module 100 includes a substrate 110 and a plurality of light-emitting chips 120 arranged on the substrate 110. The collimating lens 200 has a total reflection structure.

[0038] Each light-emitting chip 120 adopts an independent pulse width modulation (PWM) driving mode, and the multiple light-emitting chips 120 have different bands, so that the light source system can be suitable for different application scenarios (such as spectral analysis, biomedical research, lighting, etc.) to meet different lighting requirements.

[0039] The light emitted by the plurality of light emitting chips 120 is optically regulated by the collimating lens 200 and then emitted by the collimating lens 200 to the light mixing lens group 300. The collimating lens 200 with a total reflection structure is an optical element designed based on the total reflection principle, and is mainly used to collimate the light emitted by the light source module 100 into a parallel beam.

[0040] The light source system for the fluorescence microscope uses a single collimating lens 200 with a total reflection structure to optically control multiple light-emitting chips 120, omits binocular mirrors and other light-splitting elements, reduces the overall structural space of the light source system, makes it easy to hang on the light entrance of the microscope, and reduces the cost.

[0041] In this embodiment, the light source module 100 further includes an encapsulation glass 130 , and the encapsulation glass 130 is encapsulated on the same side surface of the plurality of light emitting chips 120 .

[0042] The plurality of light emitting chips 120 are all disposed on the surface of the substrate 110 facing the collimating lens 200 , and the encapsulation glass 130 is encapsulated on the surface of the plurality of light emitting chips 120 facing the collimating lens 200 .

[0043] A frosted area 131 is provided in the middle of the surface of the encapsulation glass 130 facing away from the light-emitting chip 120. The frosted area 131 is circular in shape. Along the arrangement direction of the light source module 100, the collimating lens 200 and the mixing lens group 300, the projection of the frosted area 131 overlaps with parts of multiple light-emitting chips 120 at the same time.

[0044] The frosted area 131 is formed by grinding the middle part of the surface of the encapsulation glass 130 away from the light-emitting chip 120. By providing the frosted area 131 in the middle part of the surface of the encapsulation glass 130 away from the light-emitting chip 120, and making the projection of the frosted area 131 overlap with parts of multiple light-emitting chips 120 at the same time, the light beams emitted by the multiple light-emitting chips 120 to the frosted area 131 are homogenized, effectively alleviating the shaping pressure of the rear-end homogenization component on this part of the light beam.

[0045] In other embodiments, the shape of the frosted area 131 may also be a polygon. For example, the shape of the frosted area 131 is a triangle, a square, or a hexagon.

[0046] In this embodiment, the number of the light-emitting chips 120 is four, and the four light-emitting chips 120 are arranged in a matrix, and any two adjacent light-emitting chips 120 are arranged at intervals.

[0047] The encapsulation glass 130 is encapsulated on the surfaces of the four light-emitting chips 120 facing the collimating lens 200, and the projection of the frosted area 131 coincides with a part of the four light-emitting chips 120 at the same time, so as to homogenize the light beams emitted by the four light-emitting chips 120 to the frosted area 131.

[0048] In other embodiments, the number of the light-emitting chips 120 may also be two, three, or more than five, and no limitation is imposed thereon.

[0049] In this embodiment, the collimating lens 200 simultaneously satisfies:

[0050]

[0051] n·OA + n 0 ·AB = constant value; where is the normal vector of the incident point, is the normal vector of the total reflection point, is the vector from the center point O of the bottom surface of the collimating lens 200 to the incident point A, is the vector from the incident point A to the total reflection point B, is the vector from the total reflection point B to the exit point R, n 0 is the air refractive index, and n is the refractive index of the lens material.

[0052] It should be noted that Figure 4 the direction indicated by the arrow in is the light transmission direction in the collimating lens 200, n·OA + n 0 ·AB = constant value, which represents that the optical path of the light emitted by the light source module 100 from O to A and then to B is conserved (that is, the sum of the products of the refractive index and the geometric path is constant), and this constant value corresponds to the equivalent optical path required for the light to reach the target plane, and its value is directly related to the lens aperture, the target illumination distance, etc.

[0053] The collimating lens 200 adopts a total reflection structure to regulate the high-angle light beams of the light-emitting body, and adopts a refractive light control method to regulate the low-angle light beams, and can realize zero-loss reflection of light energy, n·OA + n 0· When the formula ·AB = constant holds, the light travels in a total internal reflection (TIR) path inside the collimating lens 200, avoiding the coating absorption generated by using a traditional mirror (about 5%-15% of the light energy is lost). Implementing complex optics with a single collimating lens 200, when the collimating lens 200 satisfies the above formula, the light emitted by the light source module 100 directly completes the folding of the optical path along the total internal reflection path under the constraint of the collimating lens 200, and the tolerance of the light source system is improved.

[0054] In this embodiment, the collimating lens 200 has a rotationally symmetric structure. Of course, in other embodiments, the collimating lens 200 can also be a non-rotationally symmetric structure.

[0055] Both the total internal reflection surface and the refraction surface adopt free-form surfaces. Free-form surface optics is a new generation of optical technology following spherical and aspherical surfaces. Compared with traditional optics, due to the higher design freedom of free-form surface design, the beam control ability is greatly enhanced, which is ultimately reflected in the improvement of the consistency and uniformity of optical performance.

[0056] In this embodiment, the light mixing lens group 300 includes two microarray lenses 310. The two microarray lenses 310 are arranged at intervals, and the distance between the two microarray lenses 310 is the same as the focal length of any one of the microarray lenses 310.

[0057] The microarray lens 310 is an aspherical lens. A plurality of protrusions are provided on the surfaces of the two microarray lenses 310 facing away from each other. The two microarray lenses 310 can divide and superimpose the light emitted by the collimating lens 200, so that the light can be more evenly distributed on the target area after passing through the microarray lenses 310, the spot processing effect is more uniform, and the light energy utilization rate is improved.

[0058] In this embodiment, the light source system for a fluorescence microscope further includes an optical sensor. The optical sensor is disposed on the substrate 110 and is used to detect the light reflection intensity.

[0059] By disposing the optical sensor on the substrate 110, the optical sensor can detect the light reflection intensity in real time.

[0060] In this embodiment, the substrate 110 is a copper-aluminum substrate 110 or a ceramic substrate 110. Of course, in other embodiments, the substrate 110 can also be made of other materials, which is not limited herein.

[0061] The technical effects of the fluorescence microscope provided by the embodiment of the present application at least include: using a single collimating lens 200 with a total reflection structure to optically control multiple light-emitting chips 120, omitting the binocular mirror and other light-splitting elements, reducing the overall structural space of the light source system, making it convenient to hang on the light entrance of the microscope, and reducing the cost; by providing a frosted area 131 in the middle of the surface of the packaging glass 130 away from the light-emitting chip 120, and making the projection of the frosted area 131 overlap with the parts of the multiple light-emitting chips 120 at the same time, the light beams emitted by the multiple light-emitting chips 120 to the frosted area 131 are controlled. Light homogenization effectively alleviates the shaping pressure of the rear-end light homogenization component on this part of the light beam; the collimating lens 200 adopts a free-form surface design with higher design freedom, which greatly enhances the light beam control ability of the collimating lens 200 and helps to improve the consistency and uniformity of optical performance; the mixing lens group 300 can make the light more evenly distributed in the target area, improving the utilization rate of light energy; the spot quality output by a single light-emitting chip 120 is basically consistent with the spot quality output by multiple light-emitting chips 120 at the same time, and the final light output divergence angle and spot quality are not affected by the off-axis of each light-emitting chip 120.

[0062] The embodiment of the present application further provides a fluorescence microscope, including the above-mentioned light source system for fluorescence microscope. The technical effects of the fluorescence microscope and the light source system for fluorescence microscope are substantially the same, and no further description is given for this.

[0063] In summary, the embodiments of the present application provide a light source system for a fluorescence microscope and a fluorescence microscope. The light source system for a fluorescence microscope uses a single collimating lens 200 with a total reflection structure to optically control multiple light-emitting chips 120, omits binocular mirrors and other spectral elements, reduces the overall structural space of the light source system, makes it easy to hang on the light entrance of the microscope, and reduces the cost.

[0064] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A light source system for a fluorescence microscope, characterized in that: It comprises a light source module, a collimating lens and a light mixing lens group, wherein the light source module, the collimating lens and the light mixing lens group are arranged in sequence, the light source module comprises a substrate and a plurality of light emitting chips arranged on the substrate, and the collimating lens has a total reflection structure.

2. The light source system for a fluorescence microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source module further comprises packaging glass, and the packaging glass is packaged on the same side surface of the plurality of light emitting chips.

3. The light source system for a fluorescence microscope according to claim 2, characterized in that: A frosted area is provided in the middle of the surface of the encapsulation glass facing away from the light-emitting chip. The frosted area is circular in shape. Along the arrangement direction of the light source module, the collimating lens and the mixing lens group, the projection of the frosted area partially overlaps with multiple light-emitting chips at the same time.

4. The light source system for a fluorescence microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the light-emitting chips is four, and the four light-emitting chips are arranged in a matrix, with any two adjacent light-emitting chips spaced apart.

5. The light source system for a fluorescence microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The collimating lens satisfies simultaneously: n·OA+n0·AB=constant value; in, is the normal vector at the incident point, is the normal vector at the total reflection point, is the vector from the center point O of the bottom surface of the collimating lens to the incident point A, is the vector from the incident point A to the total reflection point B, is the vector from the total reflection point B to the exit point R, n0 is the refractive index of air, and n is the refractive index of the lens material.

6. The light source system for a fluorescence microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The collimating lens has a rotationally symmetrical structure.

7. The light source system for a fluorescence microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light mixing lens group includes two micro-array lenses, the two micro-array lenses are arranged at an interval, and the interval between the two micro-array lenses is consistent with the focal length of any one of the micro-array lenses.

8. The light source system for a fluorescence microscope according to claim 7, characterized in that: The microarray lens is an aspherical lens.

9. The light source system for a fluorescence microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light source system for a fluorescence microscope further includes an optical sensor, which is disposed on the substrate and is used to detect light reflection intensity.

10. A fluorescence microscope, characterized in that: A light source system for a fluorescence microscope comprising any one of claims 1 to 9.

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