External light source for annular illumination and microscope using same

Abstract

The utility model relates to an annular lighting external light source and a microscope using the same, the external light source comprises a light source assembly, an optical fiber coupler, a thick optical fiber, a thin optical fiber, a lighting unit and an annular frame, the light source assembly is connected with one end of the thick optical fiber through the optical fiber coupler; one end of the thick optical fiber is connected with one end of the light source assembly, the other end of the thick optical fiber is connected with one end of each thin optical fiber through an optical fiber connector, the other end of each thin optical fiber is connected with the lighting unit, the lighting units are evenly distributed on the annular frame, and focusing lenses are arranged on the lighting units. Then beam splitting is carried out through the thin optical fiber, the thin optical fiber after beam splitting is connected to the lighting units which are arranged in the circumferential direction, the focusing lens is used for focusing light emitted by the thin optical fiber to a sample, the light efficiency is improved by reducing the optical expansion amount, and then the brightness and the power of a light outlet of the objective lens are increased; a high-power lamp bead does not need to be used for improving the brightness, and a low-power lamp bead is low in cost, small in heat productivity and small in energy loss.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of microscopes, in particular to an external light source for annular lighting and a microscope using the same. Background Art

[0002] The external light source of a microscope refers to a light source installed outside the microscope to provide illumination for the microscope. Microscopes include dark field microscopes and phase contrast microscopes.

[0003] Darkfield microscopy: Darkfield microscopy uses a lighting method that makes the sample appear dark against a bright background, enhancing the visibility of edges and details. To achieve this effect, darkfield microscopy requires a specialized darkfield condenser that directs light at a specific angle. Highly sensitive detectors are also required to capture the faint light. Darkfield microscopy requires a stable, uniform light source of a certain intensity to ensure clear imaging of the sample.

[0004] Phase contrast microscopy: Phase contrast microscopy utilizes the principles of light interference and diffraction to enhance the visibility of transparent structures and details in a specimen. It requires the use of specialized phase contrast annuli or phase plates to alter the phase of light, thereby producing a contrast effect. Phase contrast microscopy also requires a stable, uniform light source, and the color temperature of the light source must be properly controlled to avoid adverse effects on interference and diffraction. Furthermore, the position and angle of the light source must be properly adjusted to ensure that light properly passes through the annulus or phase plate and produces optimal imaging.

[0005] In general, both darkfield and phase contrast microscopy require a stable, uniform, and sufficiently intense light source to meet their specific lighting needs. Furthermore, it's important to select the appropriate lighting method and adjust parameters, such as the intensity, height, and angle of the external light source, based on the specific microscope type and sample characteristics to achieve optimal imaging results.

[0006] However, the height and angle of the external light source of the microscope in the prior art are generally not adjustable. When a strong light source is needed, the power is generally increased by adding lamp beads. High-power lamp beads are more expensive, generate more heat, and have greater energy loss. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to improve the brightness of an external light source of a microscope, the utility model provides an external light source for annular lighting and a microscope using the same.

[0008] The utility model provides an external light source for annular lighting, which adopts the following technical solutions:

[0009] An external light source for annular lighting comprises a light source assembly, a fiber optic coupler, a thick optical fiber, a thin optical fiber, an illumination unit, and an annular frame. The light source assembly is connected to one end of the thick optical fiber via the fiber optic coupler. The other end of the thick optical fiber is connected to one end of multiple thin optical fibers via a fiber optic connector. The other end of each thin optical fiber is connected to the illumination unit. The illumination units are evenly distributed on the annular frame and are provided with focusing lenses.

[0010] The external light source of the utility model couples the light emitted by the light source component into a thick-diameter optical fiber through a fiber optic coupler, and then splits the light through a thin-diameter optical fiber. The thin-diameter optical fiber after splitting is connected to a circumferentially arranged lighting unit, and a focusing lens is used to focus the light emitted by the thin-diameter optical fiber onto the sample. By reducing the optical extension, the light efficiency is improved, and the brightness and power at the light outlet of the objective lens are increased. There is no need to use high-power lamp beads to increase the brightness. Low-power lamp beads have a lower cost, generate less heat, and have low energy loss.

[0011] Preferably, the external light source includes a light source bracket, the light source bracket includes a light source rod, the annular frame is movably provided on the light source rod, and the annular frame can move up and down along the light source rod.

[0012] Preferably, the lighting unit includes a barrel-shaped housing, the thin optical fiber extends into the barrel-shaped housing from one end of the barrel-shaped housing, and a focusing lens is provided at the other end of the barrel-shaped housing.

[0013] Preferably, the thick optical fiber contains a plurality of sub-optical fibers, and the number of the sub-optical fibers is the same as the number of the thin optical fibers.

[0014] Preferably, the number of the sub-optical fibers is 2 to 20.

[0015] Preferably, the number of the sub-optical fibers is 7.

[0016] Preferably, the annular frame is an annular frame with adjustable diameter.

[0017] Preferably, the lighting unit is fixed to the annular frame by screws.

[0018] The microscope provided by the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0019] A microscope comprises a microscope body and the external light source mentioned above.

[0020] The microscope of the present invention has an external light source that couples the light emitted by the light source assembly into a thick-diameter optical fiber through a fiber optic coupler, and then splits the light through a thin-diameter optical fiber. The thin-diameter optical fiber after splitting is connected to a circumferentially arranged lighting unit, and a focusing lens is used to focus the light emitted by the thin-diameter optical fiber onto the sample. The optical efficiency is improved by reducing the optical characteristic of optical extension, thereby increasing the brightness and power at the light outlet of the objective lens. There is no need to use high-power lamp beads to increase the brightness. Low-power lamp beads have a lower cost, generate less heat, and have low energy loss.

[0021] Preferably, the microscope is a dark field microscope or a phase contrast microscope. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of an external light source for annular lighting according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a single lighting unit structure of an external light source embodiment of an annular lighting according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thick and thin optical fiber connectors of an external light source embodiment of an annular lighting according to the present invention.

[0025] Description of reference numerals:

[0026] 1. Light source module; 2. Fiber coupler; 3. Thick fiber; 4. Thin fiber; 5. Illumination unit; 6. Focusing lens; 7. Ring frame; 8. Sample; 9. Thick and thin fiber connector; 10. Incident angle θ; 11. Illumination area; 12. Barrel-shaped housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this utility model more clear, the following Figure 1-3 And embodiments, the utility model is further described in detail. Example

[0028] An external light source for annular lighting in this embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, an external light source for annular lighting includes a light source assembly, a fiber optic coupler 2, a thick optical fiber 3, a thin optical fiber 4, a lighting unit 5 and a ring frame 7. The light source assembly is connected to one end of the thick optical fiber 3 through the fiber optic coupler 2, and the other end of the thick optical fiber 3 is connected to one end of multiple thin optical fibers 4 through a fiber optic connector. The other end of each thin optical fiber 4 is connected to the lighting unit 5, and the lighting units 5 are evenly distributed on the ring frame 7. Figure 2 As shown, the lighting unit 5 is provided with a focusing lens 6.

[0029] The external light source of this embodiment couples the light emitted by the light source assembly into the thick optical fiber 3 (thick-diameter optical fiber) through the optical fiber coupler 2, and then splits the light through the thin optical fiber 4 (thin-diameter optical fiber). The split thin-diameter optical fiber is connected to the circumferentially arranged lighting unit 5, and the focusing lens 6 is used to focus the light emitted by the thin-diameter optical fiber onto the sample 8. By reducing the optical characteristic of optical etendue, the light efficiency is improved, thereby increasing the brightness and power at the light outlet of the objective lens. There is no need to use high-power lamp beads to increase the brightness. Low-power lamp beads have a lower cost, generate less heat, and have low energy loss.

[0030] As a preferred embodiment, the external light source includes a light source bracket, which includes a light source rod. The annular frame 7 is movably mounted on the light source rod, and the annular frame 7 can move up and down along the light source rod. By adjusting the height of the annular frame 7, the light output angle of the lighting unit 5 on the annular frame 7 can be adjusted.

[0031] As a preferred embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the lighting unit 5 includes a barrel-shaped housing 12, the thin optical fiber 4 extends from one end of the barrel-shaped housing 12 into the barrel-shaped housing 12, and the other end of the barrel-shaped housing 12 is provided with a focusing lens 6. The focusing lens 6 can focus the light emitted by the thin optical fiber onto the sample 8.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the thick optical fiber 3 includes multiple sub-optical fibers, the number of which is equal to the number of the thin optical fibers 4. When the thick optical fiber 3 and the thin optical fibers 4 are connected using an optical fiber connector, each sub-optical fiber of the thick optical fiber 3 is connected one-to-one with a thin optical fiber 4. This allows for electrical connection between the thick optical fiber 3 and the thin optical fibers 4.

[0033] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the number of the sub-optical fibers is 7. As a preferred embodiment, the number of the sub-optical fibers can be optionally selected between 2 and 20.

[0034] As a preferred embodiment, the annular frame 7 is an annular frame 7 with an adjustable diameter. By adjusting the diameter of the annular frame 7, the light output angle of the lighting unit 5 can be adjusted.

[0035] As a preferred embodiment, the lighting unit 5 is fixed to the annular frame 7 by screws, which is convenient for assembly and disassembly. Other fixing methods can also be used.

[0036] In this embodiment, the light emitted by the light source is coupled into the thick-diameter optical fiber through the optical fiber coupler 2, and then split by the thin-diameter optical fiber. The thin-diameter optical fiber after splitting is connected to the circumferentially arranged lighting unit 5. The lighting unit 5 can be fixed and the angle can be adjusted by screws, and the focusing lens 6 is used to focus the light emitted by the thin-diameter optical fiber onto the sample 8. At the same time, the height and width of the annular lighting structure frame can be adjusted to achieve multi-angle oblique lighting.

[0037] Etendue is an important concept in non-imaging optics, used to describe the geometric characteristics of a beam with a certain aperture angle and cross-sectional area. It can be understood as the integral of the cross-sectional area through which the beam passes and its spatial solid angle.

[0038] ,

[0039] where θ is the angle between the normal of the surface element dA and the central axis of the solid angle dΩ,

[0040] Ring lighting can be designed with different oblique incident angles.

[0041] Incident angle: θ=atan(R / H), R is the ring radius, H is the ring height,

[0042] The incident angle is set according to θ=atan (R / H), and the annular illumination at this incident angle is achieved by adjusting the annular radius R and the annular height H.

[0043] Increase the size of lighting area 11:

[0044] The original optical fiber diameter d1 is divided into several optical fibers with a diameter of d2. After the annular illumination, the spot size D in the illumination area 11 is D = β * d2, where β is the magnification. Therefore, the R value can be adjusted to achieve different angles of illumination, and the H value can also be adjusted to achieve different angles of illumination. Example

[0045] The microscope provided in this embodiment adopts the following technical solution:

[0046] A microscope comprises a microscope body and the external light source described in Example 1.

[0047] As a preferred embodiment, the microscope is a dark field microscope or a phase contrast microscope, a dark field microscope or a phase contrast microscope.

[0048] In the microscope of this embodiment, the external light source couples the light emitted by the light source assembly into the thick-diameter optical fiber through the optical fiber coupler 2, and then splits the light through the thin-diameter optical fiber. The thin-diameter optical fiber after splitting is connected to the circumferentially arranged lighting unit 5, and the focusing lens 6 is used to focus the light emitted by the thin-diameter optical fiber onto the sample 8. By reducing the optical characteristic of optical etendue, the light efficiency is improved, thereby increasing the brightness and power at the light outlet of the objective lens. There is no need to use high-power lamp beads to increase the brightness. Low-power lamp beads have a lower cost, generate less heat, and have low energy loss.

[0049] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, any equivalent changes made based on the structure, shape, and principle of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An external light source for ring lighting, characterized in that: The invention comprises a light source assembly, an optical fiber coupler (2), a thick optical fiber (3), a thin optical fiber (4), an illumination unit (5), and an annular frame (7). The light source assembly is connected to one end of the thick optical fiber (3) via the optical fiber coupler (2). The other end of the thick optical fiber (3) is connected to one end of a plurality of thin optical fibers (4) via an optical fiber connector. The other end of each thin optical fiber (4) is connected to the illumination unit (5). The illumination units (5) are evenly distributed on the annular frame (7). A focusing lens (6) is provided on the illumination unit (5).

2. The external light source for annular lighting according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external light source comprises a light source bracket, the light source bracket comprises a light source rod, the annular frame (7) is movably arranged on the light source rod, and the annular frame (7) can move up and down along the light source rod.

3. The external light source for annular lighting according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lighting unit (5) comprises a barrel-shaped housing (12), the thin optical fiber (4) extends from one end of the barrel-shaped housing (12) into the barrel-shaped housing (12), and the other end of the barrel-shaped housing (12) is provided with a focusing lens (6).

4. The external light source for annular lighting according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thick optical fiber (3) contains a plurality of sub-optical fibers, and the number of the sub-optical fibers is the same as the number of the thin optical fibers (4).

5. The external light source for annular lighting according to claim 4, characterized in that: The number of the sub-optical fibers is 2 to 20.

6. The external light source for annular lighting according to claim 5, characterized in that: The number of the sub-optical fibers is 7.

7. The external light source for annular lighting according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular frame (7) is an annular frame (7) whose diameter can be adjusted.

8. The external light source for annular lighting according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lighting unit (5) is fixed to the annular frame (7) by screws.

9. A microscope, comprising a microscope body, characterized in that: It also includes the external light source for annular lighting according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The microscope according to claim 9, characterized in that: The microscope is a dark field microscope or a phase contrast microscope.

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