Method and system for adaptive lighting systems for imaging applications

Abstract

To provide a universal illumination system configured to meet demands for the size of an illumination zone, uniformity of an intensity distribution, and an angle of the illumination, in relation to illumination optics for transmission or fluorescence image systems.SOLUTION: An adaptive illumination system comprises an adaptive illuminator comprising at least three optical elements including a first optical element, a second optical element, and a third optical element, where a distance between the first optical element and the second optical element is adjustable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to an optical subsystem that is configured to adjust to improve its performance across different lighting applications without hardware modifications. [Background technology]

[0002] In some cases, illumination optics for transmission or fluorescence imaging systems are used to achieve the desired image quality. Different applications have different requirements for the size of the illumination zone, the uniformity of the intensity distribution, and the angle of illumination. For example, fluorescence imaging systems require higher irradiance, a large illumination zone, and a highly uniform intensity distribution that is independent of the illumination incident angle. Transmission imaging systems with objective lenses with large numerical apertures require a high illumination incident angle to support the high-resolution performance of the imaging system. In some situations, the illumination angle is reduced to increase the contrast of the final image. Therefore, a universal illumination system that can be configured to meet the various requirements of different applications is desirable. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In one example, at least some of the above challenges are at least partially addressed by an adaptive lighting system. The adaptive lighting system includes an adaptive illuminator. The adaptive illuminator includes at least three optical elements, including a first optical element, a second optical element, and a third optical element. A distance between the first optical element and the second optical element is adjustable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The adaptive illuminator is designed to adjust the distance between the first optical element and the second optical element to adjust one or more illumination characteristics of the adaptive lighting system. The adaptive illuminator is further configured to increase the beam waist of the light passing therethrough. This utilizes a light source with smaller focusing optics compared to optical systems that cannot increase the beam waist. Therefore, the package size and cost of the light source are reduced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] It should be understood that the foregoing brief description is provided to introduce in a simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed invention, the scope of which is uniquely defined by the claims that follow the detailed description. Moreover, the claimed invention is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] The present disclosure will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an illumination system using a conventional example of Kohler illumination.

[0008] [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A shows a convergent beam that includes a larger cone angle.

[0009] [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B shows a converging beam with a smaller cone angle.

[0010] [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A shows a first layout of the optical system of the adaptive illumination system.

[0011] [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B shows a projected image of the back aperture of the focus lens of the first layout of the adaptive illumination system.

[0012] [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C shows the simulated illumination zones of the first layout on the target surface.

[0013] [Figure 3D] FIG. 3D shows a cross section of the irradiance intensity of the illumination zones of the first layout.

[0014] [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A shows a second layout of the optical system of the adaptive illumination system.

[0015] [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B shows a projected image of the back aperture of the focusing lens of the second layout of the adaptive illumination system.

[0016] [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C shows the simulated illumination zones of the second layout on the target surface.

[0017] [Figure 4D] FIG. 4D shows a cross section of the irradiance intensity of the illumination zones of the second layout.

[0018] [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A shows a third layout of the optical system of the adaptive illumination system.

[0019] [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B shows a projected image of the back aperture of the focus lens of the third layout of the adaptive illumination system.

[0020] [Figure 5C]FIG. 5C shows the simulated illumination zones of the third layout on the target surface.

[0021] [Figure 5D] FIG. 5D shows a cross section of the irradiance intensity of the illumination zones of the third layout.

[0022] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of a multi-channel LED light source incorporating an adaptive lighting system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The following description relates to a system and method for an illumination system that includes a movable lens. The movable lens moves to adjust the illumination zone size and illumination incidence angle for different applications. The adaptive illumination system receives a smaller beam waist from an upstream light source to provide similar performance of an input light with a larger beam waist. By doing this, the size of the upstream light source is reduced, thereby reducing the cost and physical size of the system.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a conventional example of an illumination system with limited adjustability. FIG. 2A shows a convergent beam tilt with a large cone angle. A convergent beam lens with a small cone angle is shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 3A shows a first layout of an adaptive illumination system. FIG. 3B shows a projection image of the back aperture of a focus lens of the first layout of the adaptive illumination system. FIG. 3C shows a simulated illumination zone of the first layout at a target plane. FIG. 3D shows a cross-section of irradiance intensity of the illumination zone of the first layout. FIG. 4A shows a second layout of the optical system of the adaptive illumination system. FIG. 4B shows a projection image of the back aperture of a focus lens of the second layout of the adaptive illumination system. FIG. 4C shows a simulated illumination zone of the second layout at a target plane. FIG. 4D shows a cross-section of irradiance intensity of the illumination zone of the second layout. FIG. 5A shows a third layout of the optical system of the adaptive illumination system. FIG. 5B shows a projection image of the back aperture of a focus lens of the third layout of the adaptive illumination system. Figure 5C shows simulated illumination zones of the third layout at the target surface. Figure 5D shows a cross-section of irradiance intensity of the illumination zones of the third layout. Figure 6 shows an example embodiment of a multi-channel LED light source incorporating an adaptive lighting system.

[0025] In one embodiment, an adaptive illumination system receives a semi-collimated input beam with a smaller beam waist and outputs a converging cone of light with a variable larger beam waist, focal length, and cone angle. A first negative optical element and a second positive optical element (e.g., from input to output) work together to expand the input semi-collimated beam to a desired larger beam waist to achieve the desired output beam. This includes achieving the desired beam convergence angle and effective focal length. The output beam waist is controlled by an air gap between the negative and positive optical elements.

[0026] The final optical element in the adaptive lighting system provides a neutral focal length for the final effective focal length of the adaptive lighting system. In one example, this is near the midpoint of the adjustable range of the effective focal length. The effective focal length of the adaptive lighting system is decreased or increased via an air gap disposed between the first two elements.

[0027] Reducing the air gap between the two optical elements creates a slower converging light cone with a smaller initial beam waist. The corresponding cone of light passes through an illumination focusing lens (e.g., an objective lens or condenser lens in a Köhler illumination scheme), creating a smaller illumination zone with a larger maximum illumination angle. The larger illumination angle supports a high-numerical aperture imaging lens to provide high-resolution images.

[0028] Increasing the air gap between the two optical elements creates a faster converging light cone with a larger initial beam waist. The corresponding cone of light passing through the objective or condenser lens in a Köhler illumination scheme creates a larger illumination zone with a smaller maximum illumination angle. The smaller illumination angle supports a more desirable configuration for fluorescence imaging applications.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 1, a conventional example of an illumination system using Kohler illumination is shown. Kohler illumination schemes are used in imaging optical systems, such as microscope optical systems. In this scheme, the target illumination plane 102 is positioned away from a conjugate position of the light source plane, thus reducing spatial variations or undesired intensity structures created within the light source.

[0030] The light source 104, which may be a light-emitting diode (LED), includes finite and / or fixed dimensions with some intensity distribution pattern (e.g., a Lambertian distribution). The light from the light source 104 passes through a condenser lens 106, which collects the radiation from the light source 104 and projects the light toward an illumination lens 108. The condenser lens 106 is a small lens with a threshold near the emission surface of the light source 104. The emission surface may be a hemispherical lens within an encapsulated LED, a single individual lens, or a combination of multiple lenses. In this way, the condenser lens reduces chromatic aberrations and / or semi-collimates the output beam to meet the desired characteristics of the imaging application.

[0031] Illumination lens 108 is used to collect light from condenser lens 106 into a region at the back aperture of focus lens 110. This may be a condenser lens in transmission mode imaging optics, or an objective lens in fluorescence mode of imaging optics using an epi-illumination scheme.

[0032] As shown in the conventional example of FIG. 1 , the target plane 102 of the illumination optics is not conjugate with the source plane so that the conditions for Kohler illumination are satisfied. The focused beam 112, shown by a solid line, includes a cone angle α generated through the illumination lens 108, which determines the size of the illumination zone at the target plane 102. In some examples, it is desirable to illuminate the illumination zone evenly. Illumination conditions include those in which the intensity uniformity includes a threshold intensity variation (e.g., 10%) or less. In some examples, the threshold intensity variation is additionally or alternatively 5%, 2%, or less. The cone angle α is determined by the beam waist 116 measured from the focused beam 112 to the marginal ray 114, shown by the dotted line, and the back focal length of the illumination lens.

[0033] In a transmission imaging system, an additional focusing lens (e.g., an objective lens) is located behind the target surface 102 relative to the direction of light travel from the light source 104 along the axis. The objective lens receives the transmitted light through the sample at the target surface. In such an example, the maximum illumination angle β must be large enough to satisfy the high-numerical aperture objective lens to provide high-resolution imaging performance. The maximum illumination angle β is based on marginal rays 114, which originate from the edge of the light source 104 to the edge of its projected image at the back focal plane of the focusing lens 110. As a result, a larger projected light source image at the back aperture plane of the focusing lens 110 generates a larger illumination angle. This is determined by the focal length of the illumination lens 108 and does not provide a sufficiently large illumination zone at the target surface 102. Therefore, the conventional example of FIG. 1 is not suitable for various illumination schemes.

[0034] 2A and 2B, which respectively show a first ray trace 200 and a second ray trace 250 of a converging beam focused at the back focal plane of a focusing lens having two different configurations. In the first ray trace 200, a converging beam 202 with a large cone angle α generates a first illumination zone 204 at the target surface 102. In the second ray trace 250, a converging beam 252 with a small cone angle α generates a second illumination zone 254 that is smaller than the first illumination zone 204. Correspondingly, the LED image length 212 measured from the converging beam 202 to the marginal ray 214 in the first ray trace 200 is smaller than the LED image length 262 measured from the converging beam 252 to the marginal ray 264 in the second ray trace 250. Therefore, the illumination optics of the first ray trace 200 projects a smaller LED image at the back focal plane of the focusing lens 110. This results in a smaller maximum illumination angle β for the illumination angles shown in the second ray trace 250.

[0035] As shown in the examples of Figures 2A and 2B, the size of the illumination zone (e.g., illumination zone 204 in Figure 2A and illumination zone 254 in Figure 2B) and illumination angle are adjusted by adjusting the convergence cone angle and the size of the LED image at the back aperture of the focus lens 210. In the examples of Figures 3A through 5D, the optical system includes an adaptive illumination lens that provides various illumination zone sizes and illumination angles to match different illumination schemes, which cannot be achieved in the conventional example of Figure 1.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3A, a first layout 300 of an adaptive lighting system 310 is shown. The adaptive lighting system 310 includes an adaptive illuminator 320 including at least three optical elements configured to provide various illumination schemes. The first optical element 322 of the adaptive illuminator 320 is a negatively powered optical element configured to expand an incoming power beam waist 332. The second optical element 324 is a positively powered optical element configured to cooperate with the first optical element 322 to produce the desired beam waist variation effect. In one example, the first optical element 322 is concave and the second optical element 324 is convex. The first and second optical elements are further configured to determine collimation specifications for the output beam, which may be slightly diverging, semi-collimated, or convergent. In the first layout 300, a first distance 336 is disposed between the first optical element 322 and the second optical element 324 and corresponds to an air gap. The first distance 336 sets a particular exit beam waist (e.g., outgoing beam waist 334) and an effective back focal length of the adaptive illuminator 320.

[0037] In one example, the first distance 336 in FIG. 3A is intermediate to the distances shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A. The first distance 336 in FIG. 3A provides a “middle” value for convergence of the output beam of light rays originating from the on-axis portion of the light source 104. In such a configuration, the focal length of the adaptive illuminator 320 assembly is approximately equal to the focal length of the lens 326, the last element in the assembly. The distance between the second optical element 324 and the third optical element 326 has little effect on the output beam waist and beam collimation. Therefore, the distance may be minimized and / or reduced to zero for packaging reasons.

[0038] Using the first layout as an example, the exit beam waist 334 formed by the adaptive illuminator 320 is calculated based on Equation 1 below:

[0039] TIFF0007810392000001.tif995

[0040] In Equation 1, W1 and W2 correspond to the input beam waist 332 and the output beam waist 334, respectively, outside the adaptive illuminator 320. neg corresponds to the numerical aperture of the first optical element 322.

[0041] In the example of FIG. 3A, the diameter of the optical elements of the adaptive illuminator 320 is 50 mm or less. However, optical elements may have diameters greater than 50 mm. The first distance 336 is equal to 25 mm. The numerical aperture of the first optical element is equal to 0.17. Therefore, based on Equation 1, the beam waist increases by 8.6 mm. The focal length of the adaptive illuminator is approximately 150 mm, which is approximately the same as the last element. The first layout 300 further includes a configuration in which the convergent beam cone angle 342 is approximately 8 degrees. The light source 104 is a 1 mm circular LED with an angular intensity distribution that follows Lambert's cosine law. The projected image at the back focal plane of the focusing lens is approximately 8.5 mm in diameter, as shown in FIG. 3B. The illumination incidence angle 344 is approximately 25 degrees, which equates to an illumination numerical aperture of approximately 0.42. The simulated illumination zone at the target surface 102 is shown in FIG. 3C. The cross-sectional irradiance intensity of the illumination zone is plotted in Figure 3D. In the plot of Figure 3D, the cross-section shows a uniformly flat region encompassing a diameter of approximately 1.8 mm.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 4A , a second layout 400 of the adaptive lighting system 310 is shown. The second layout 400 includes a second distance 436 between the first optical element 322 and the second optical element 324. As discussed above, the distance between the second optical element 324 and the third optical element 326 has little effect on the lighting conditions. For example, the distance between the second optical element and the third optical element in the second layout 400 is equal to the distance in FIG. 3A . In one example, the second distance 436 is greater than the first distance 336 in FIG. 3A . In one example, the first optical element 322 is moved to a second position away from the first position in the first layout 300. The second position represents a position in the range of positions of the first optical element 322 that corresponds to the maximum distance between the first optical element 322 and the second optical element 324. In one example, the second distance 436 is equal to 65 mm.

[0043] The adaptive illuminator 320 generates a convergent beam with a larger cone angle 442 equal to 29 degrees, which is larger than the cone angle 342 of the first layout 300 of FIG. 3A. The larger cone angle 442 is due to both the increased exit beam waist 434 and the decreased focal length. The exit beam waist 434 is equal to 40 mm, which is larger than the entrance beam waist 432, and the focal length is reduced to 65 mm for the first layout 300 of FIG. 3A. The illumination zone increases from 1.8 mm in the first layout 300 of FIG. 3A to 5.8 mm, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D. The LED image projected onto the back focal plane of the focusing lens 110 is reduced in diameter from 8.5 mm to 1 mm, as shown in FIG. 4B. Therefore, the illumination angle of incidence decreases from 25 degrees to 13 degrees, which corresponds to a numerical aperture of 0.22.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 5A, a third layout 500 of the adaptive lighting system 510 is shown. The third layout 500 includes a third distance 536 between the first optical element 322 and the second optical element 324. The first optical element 322 is moved to a third position corresponding to a second extreme position in the range of positions of the first optical element 322. The difference between the input beam waist 532 and the output beam waist 534 is the smallest difference relative to all other positions of the first optical element 322. That is, the second position shown in FIG. 4A is the first extreme position with the largest distance between the first optical element and the second optical element (e.g., second distance 436). Thus, the second extreme position corresponds to the smallest distance between the first optical element and the second optical element, represented by the third distance 536. In one example, the third distance is 15 mm. In this way, the first position of the first layout 300 in FIG. 3A is closer to the third position than the second position, despite the first position providing lighting conditions between the second layout 400 and third layout 500 conditions.

[0045] The third layout 500 includes a configuration in which the adaptive illuminator 320 produces a convergent beam cone angle 542 of 4.2 degrees. The illumination zone at the target surface 102 is 0.8 mm in diameter, as shown in Figures 5C and 5D. The projected LED image size increases to 16 mm in diameter, as shown in Figure 5B. This produces a maximum illumination angle of 50 degrees with a numerical aperture of 0.77.

[0046] Thus, the examples in FIGS. 3A, 4A, and 5A illustrate different exemplary positions of the adaptive illuminator 320 of the adaptive lighting system 310. The adaptive lighting system is configured to balance the illumination zone size at the maximum incidence angle based on etendue conservation. The illumination characteristics are adjusted by adjusting the distance and / or air gap between two or more optical elements of the adaptive illuminator 320. More specifically, the air gap between a first optical element (e.g., a negatively powered element) and a second optical element (e.g., a positively powered element) is adjusted so that different operating modes of the adaptive lighting system 310 are achieved without replacing optical elements. The first optical element is adjusted to a first extreme position (shown in FIG. 4A), a second extreme position (shown in FIG. 5A), or multiple positions therebetween, depending on the desire to adjust the illumination zone size or illumination zone angle. Operating the first optical element toward the first extreme position increases the illumination zone size and decreases the illumination incidence angle. In contrast, adjusting the first optical element towards the second extreme position reduces the size of the illumination zone and increases the illumination incidence angle.

[0047] The first optical element 322 or the second optical element 324 is manually adjusted by a user until the desired characteristics are achieved. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, an actuator of the adaptive lighting system 310 is configured to operate either the first optical element 322 or the second optical element 324 toward or away from the other within a range covering the second and third positions described above. The actuator may be electrically or manually operated.

[0048] In one embodiment, the adaptive lighting system 310 includes an interface. The interface includes multiple options corresponding to various lighting modes. A user selects one or more desired lighting characteristics, which are input to a controller of the adaptive lighting system 310. The controller comprises instructions stored in its non-transitory memory. When executed, the controller can adjust the distance between the first optical element and the second optical element based on the user-selected input. In this manner, the adaptive lighting system quickly adjusts lighting characteristics to provide different lighting modes without replacing optical elements.

[0049] As described above, the adaptive illumination system 310 increases the output beam waist. By doing so, the upstream optics can be designed with smaller optics for a smaller beam waist. Therefore, the size of the light source unit can be reduced. This allows for a larger number of light sources of different wavelengths to be placed within the light source. A multi-channel LED light source 600 is shown in FIG. 6, in which wavelength-selective components (e.g., dichroic mirrors or filters) are used for channel combination. By using a smaller beam, the cost of the dichroic mirror can be reduced, thereby further reducing the cost of the adaptive illumination system 310. Furthermore, the physical size of the light source assembly is reduced, which allows it to be integrated with other components to form a variety of fully functional systems.

[0050] More specifically, multi-channel LED light source 600 in a multi-light configuration includes a first light source 610, a second light source 620, a third light source 630, a fourth light source 640, and a fifth light source 650. In one example, multi-channel LED light source 600 is used in place of light source 104 of Figures 3A, 4A, and 5A with adaptive lighting system 310.

[0051] The first light source 610 includes a first LED 612, a first LED lens 614, and a first filter 616. The LED lens 614 may be a single lens, a doublet lens, or a multi-element lens. The filter 616 provides further refinement of the LED emission spectrum and is optional. One or more of the following LED lenses and filters are optional. The first light source 610 emits light of a first wavelength toward multiple dichroic mirrors 660. The light is reflected by a first dichroic mirror 662, a second dichroic mirror 664, a third dichroic mirror 666, and then a fourth dichroic mirror 668 before reaching an output 670.

[0052] The second light source 620 includes a second LED 622, a second LED lens 624, and a second filter 626. The second light source 620 emits light at a second wavelength toward a plurality of dichroic mirrors 660. The light traverses a first dichroic mirror 662, reflects off a second dichroic mirror 664, reflects off a third dichroic mirror 666, and reflects off a fourth dichroic mirror 668 before reaching an output 670.

[0053] The third light source 630 includes a third LED 632, a third LED lens 634, and a third filter 636. The third light source 630 emits light at a third wavelength toward a plurality of dichroic mirrors 660. The light traverses a third dichroic mirror 666 and reflects off a fourth dichroic mirror 668 before reaching an output 670.

[0054] The fourth light source 640 includes a fourth LED 642, a fourth LED lens 644, and a fourth filter 646. The fourth light source 640 emits light at a fourth wavelength toward a plurality of dichroic mirrors 660. The light traverses a second dichroic mirror 664, reflects off a third dichroic mirror 666, and reflects off a fourth dichroic mirror 668 before reaching an output 670.

[0055] The fifth light source 650 includes a fifth LED 652, a fifth LED lens 654, and a fifth filter 656. The fifth light source 650 emits light at a fifth wavelength toward a plurality of dichroic mirrors 660. The red light traverses a fourth dichroic mirror 668 and reaches an output 670.

[0056] In one example, the first through fifth wavelengths are between 350 and 750 nm. Each of the first through fifth wavelengths is configured to emit a different color of light, such that each of the first through fifth wavelengths is different. In one example, the first wavelength is 385 nm, the second wavelength is 475 nm, the third wavelength is 635 nm, the fourth wavelength is 550 nm, and the fifth wavelength is 730 nm. Other wavelengths (and therefore colors) may be emitted without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As shown, output 670 aligns light rays linearly with axis 699. The light rays may deviate from axis 699 before reaching the target surface (e.g., target surface 102 in FIGS. 3A, 4A, and 5A).

[0057] In the multi-channel LED light source 600, dichroic mirrors form a linear waveguide, bouncing light beams from each light source to the output light guide. Light beams for all channels except the lowest wavelength channel pass through one dichroic mirror at a 45° angle of incidence within the waveguide and are then reflected by the remaining downstream dichroic mirrors. For example, 730 nm light passes through a 700 nm long-pass (LP) dichroic mirror and enters the light guide. 550 nm light passes through a 500 nm LP dichroic mirror and is then reflected by the 600 nm and 700 nm dichroic mirrors. 385 nm light enters the waveguide without transmission and then undergoes four reflections before entering the light guide. This still experiences less loss than a single transmission loss.

[0058] In addition to improved optical efficiency, this straight waveguide arrangement of dichroic mirrors allows new channels to be added with minimal disturbance to existing configurations and performance.

[0059] The above figures illustrate example configurations involving relative positioning of various components. When shown in direct contact or directly coupled to one another, such elements are, in at least one example, referred to as being in direct contact or directly coupled, respectively. Similarly, elements shown adjacent to or near one another are, in at least one example, adjacent to or near one another. As one example, components in surface-sharing contact with one another are referred to as surface-sharing contact. As another example, in at least one example, elements positioned apart from one another with only a space between them and no other components are referred to as such. As yet another example, elements shown above / below one another, opposite one another, or to the left / right of one another are referred to as such relative to one another. Furthermore, as shown in the figures, in at least one example, the topmost element or point of an element is referred to as the “top” of the component. The bottommost element or point of an element is referred to as the “bottom” of the component. As used herein, top / bottom, upper / lower, and upper / lower are relative to the vertical axis of the drawing and are used to describe the position of elements in the drawing relative to one another. Thus, in one example, elements shown above other elements are positioned perpendicularly above the other elements. As yet another example, the shapes of elements shown in the drawings are referred to as having those shapes (e.g., circular, rectilinear, flat, curved, rounded, chamfered, angled, etc.). Furthermore, elements shown to intersect one another are, in at least one example, referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting one another. Furthermore, elements shown within or outside of another element are, in one example, referred to as such.

[0060] The technical effect of the adaptive lighting system is to provide various illumination modes by adjusting the distance and / or gap between optical elements of the adaptive illuminator. The optical elements include at least one negatively powered optical element and at least one positively powered optical element. The adaptive lighting system is further configured to increase the beam waist so that a smaller beam waist is used as the light source. This allows the light source to provide light of various wavelengths. This reduces the cost and packaging size of the light source. In this manner, the adaptive lighting system provides an illumination system configured to implement multiple illumination modes by adjusting the optical elements therein, without replacing or exchanging elements therein. By doing so, operating costs can be reduced and efficiency can be increased.

[0061] An example of an adaptive lighting system includes an adaptive illuminator including at least three optical elements, including a first optical element, a second optical element, and a third optical element. The distance between the first optical element and the second optical element is adjustable. The first example of the adaptive lighting system further includes a configuration in which the first optical element has negative optical power and the second optical element has positive optical power. The second example of the adaptive lighting system optionally includes the first example. The second example further includes a configuration in which the third optical element has positive optical power. The third example of the adaptive lighting system optionally includes one or more of the preceding examples. The third example further includes a configuration in which the first optical element is movable through a predetermined range. The range includes a first extreme position and a second extreme position. The fourth example of the adaptive lighting system optionally includes one or more of the preceding examples. The fourth example further includes a configuration in which the first extreme position includes a maximum distance. A fifth example of an adaptive lighting system optionally includes one or more of the preceding examples. The fifth example further includes a configuration in which the second extreme position includes a case in which the distance is a minimum distance. A sixth example of an adaptive lighting system optionally includes one or more of the preceding examples. The sixth example further includes an intermediate position between the first extreme position and the second extreme position. The intermediate position is between the first extreme position and the second extreme position. A seventh example of an adaptive lighting system optionally includes one or more of the preceding examples. The seventh example further includes a light source. The light source includes multiple light sources (e.g., incandescent light, gas discharge lamp, light emitting diode, laser light source, halogen light, mercury lamp, etc.) configured to emit beams of light of different wavelengths toward one or more of the multiple light focuses and a beam of reflected light that guides the optical component.

[0062] An example of an adaptive illuminator of an adaptive lighting system includes a light source, a condenser lens, a focusing lens, and a target surface. The adaptive illuminator includes a first optical element including a negatively powered optic, a second optical element including a positively powered optic, and a third optical element including a positively powered optic. The first optical element is movable along an axis along which light is emitted from the light source. The first example of the adaptive illuminator further includes a configuration in which the first optical element is configured to move to a first extreme position in response to a request to increase the size of the illumination zone and decrease the maximum illumination incidence angle. The second example of the adaptive illuminator optionally includes the first example. The second example includes a configuration in which the first optical element is configured to move to a second extreme position in response to a request to decrease the size of the illumination zone and increase the maximum illumination incidence angle. The third example of the adaptive illuminator optionally includes one or more of the preceding examples. The third example further includes a configuration in which the first optical element is moved by an electric or manual actuator. A fourth example of an adaptive illuminator optionally includes one or more of the preceding examples. The fourth example includes a configuration in which the first optical element is movable along an axis between the second optical element and the condenser lens. The first optical element is moved to adjust the distance between the first optical element and the second optical element. A fifth example of an adaptive illuminator optionally includes one or more of the preceding examples. The fifth example further includes a configuration in which increasing the distance increases the illumination zone size and decreases the maximum illumination incidence angle, and decreasing the distance decreases the illumination zone size and increases the maximum illumination incidence angle. A sixth example of an adaptive illuminator optionally includes one or more of the preceding examples. The sixth example further includes a configuration in which the second optical element and the third optical element are stationary.

[0063] The adaptive lighting system includes a light source configured to emit light along an axis toward a target surface through a first lens and a second lens of the adaptive illuminator, and an adaptive illuminator disposed between the first lens and the second lens. The adaptive illuminator includes a first optical element movable along the axis to adjust the gap, and a second optical element spaced apart to adjust the gap. The adaptive illuminator further includes a third optical element disposed within the adaptive illuminator after the second optical element. A first example of an adaptive lighting system includes a configuration in which the first optical element is movable between a first extreme position, a second extreme position, and multiple positions therebetween. When the first optical element is in the first extreme position, the gap is maximum. And when the first optical element is in the second extreme position, the gap is minimum. The second example of an adaptive lighting system optionally includes the first example. A second example includes a configuration in which the first optical element has negative optical power, the second optical element has positive optical power, and the third optical element has positive optical power. The light source provides a beam having a first beam waist. The first optical element, the second optical element, and the third optical element output a beam having a second beam waist. The second beam waist is larger than the first beam waist. A third example of an adaptive lighting system optionally includes one or more of the preceding examples. The third example further includes a configuration in which the light source includes a plurality of light sources. Each of the plurality of light sources includes a light source (e.g., an incandescent light, a gas discharge lamp, a light emitting diode, or a laser source) configured to emit a light beam toward one or more of a plurality of spectrally selective optical components identically oriented relative to one another. The plurality of spectrally selective optical components are configured to direct the light beam along the axis. The third example of an adaptive lighting system optionally includes one or more of the preceding examples. The third example further includes a configuration in which the plurality of spectrally selective optical components are dichroic mirrors.

[0064] As used herein, an element or step described in the singular and followed by the word "a" or "an" is understood not to exclude a plurality of elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated, embodiments "comprising," "including," or "having," an element, or a plurality of elements having a particular characteristic, may include additional elements that do not have that characteristic. The terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-language equivalents of the terms "comprising" and "wherein," respectively. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements or a particular positional order on their objects.

[0065] This specification uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and examples to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. This includes making and using any device or system, and performing any incorporating methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and will include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from those recited in the claims, or if they contain equivalent structural elements that vary insubstantially from those recited in the claims.

Claims

1. A light source and a condenser lens that collects light from the light source; an adaptive illuminator including at least three optical elements including a first optical element, a second optical element, and a third optical element, on which the light from the collecting lens is incident; a focus lens onto which the light from the adaptive illuminator is incident; a target surface onto which the light from the focus lens is irradiated, the distance between the first optical element and the second optical element is adjustable; light is emitted from the light source along an axis, and the first optical element is movable along the axis; the second optical element and the third optical element are immovable along the axis; the light from the light source travels directly from the condenser lens to the first optical element, directly from the first optical element to the second optical element, and further directly from the second optical element to the third optical element; the adaptive illuminator receives a semi-collimated input beam and outputs a converging cone of light; the first optical element has a negative optical power; the second optical element has a positive optical power; The adaptive illumination system according to claim 1, wherein the third optical element has a positive optical power.

2. the first optical element is movable through a predetermined range; The adaptive lighting system of claim 1 , wherein the range includes a first extreme position and a second extreme position.

3. The adaptive lighting system of claim 2 , wherein the first extreme position comprises a configuration in which the distance is a maximum distance.

4. The adaptive lighting system of claim 2 , wherein the second extreme position comprises a configuration in which the distance is a minimum distance.

5. further comprising an intermediate position between the first extreme position and the second extreme position; 3. The adaptive lighting system of claim 2, wherein the intermediate position is between the first extreme position and the second extreme position.

6. the light source comprises a plurality of light sources including an incandescent light, a gas discharge lamp, a light emitting diode, a laser light source, a halogen light, and a mercury lamp; 10. The adaptive lighting system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are configured to emit beams of light of different wavelengths toward one or more of a plurality of light concentrations and beams of reflected light that guide optical components.

7. a light source configured to emit light along an axis through a first lens and a second lens of the adaptive illuminator toward a target surface; a condenser lens that collects the light from the light source; an adaptive illuminator disposed between the first lens and the second lens, the adaptive illuminator receiving the light from the condenser lens; a focusing lens disposed between the adaptive illuminator and the target surface, the focusing lens receiving the light from the adaptive illuminator and illuminating the light onto the target surface; the adaptive illuminator includes a first optical element movable along the axis to adjust a gap, a second optical element spaced apart from the first optical element to adjust the gap, and a third optical element positioned on the adaptive illuminator behind the second optical element; the second optical element and the third optical element are immovable along the axis; the light from the light source travels directly from the condenser lens to the first optical element, directly from the first optical element to the second optical element, and further directly from the second optical element to the third optical element; the adaptive illuminator receives a semi-collimated input beam and outputs a converging cone of light; the first optical element has a negative optical power; the second optical element has a positive optical power; The adaptive illumination system according to claim 1, wherein the third optical element has a positive optical power.

8. the first optical element is movable between a first extreme position, a second extreme position, and a plurality of positions therebetween; the air gap is maximum when the first optical element is in the first extreme position; 8. The adaptive lighting system of claim 7, wherein the air gap is at a minimum when the first optical element is in the second extreme position.

9. The light source providing a beam having a first beam waist; the first optical element, the second optical element, and the third optical element output a beam having a second beam waist; The adaptive lighting system of claim 7 , wherein the second beam waist is larger than the first beam waist.

10. the light source includes a plurality of light sources; each of the plurality of light sources comprises a light source such as an incandescent light, a gas discharge lamp, a light emitting diode, or a laser light source, and is configured to emit light rays toward one or more of a plurality of spectrally selective optical components that are identically oriented relative to one another; The adaptive lighting system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of spectrally selective optical components are configured to direct the light rays along the axis.

11. The adaptive lighting system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of spectrally selective optical components are dichroic mirrors.

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