Support structure and method for adjusting focusing

Abstract

One embodiment of a support structure for adjusting the position of a plurality of optical elements is described, the support structure comprising: a base plate having a centering pin, a first translation slot, and a second translation slot; and a translatable plate operably coupled to the plurality of optical elements and configured to move relative to the base plate, the translatable plate comprising a centering slot configured to engage the centering pin, a first cam configured to engage the first translation slot and control movement of the translatable plate along a first axis, and a second cam configured to engage the second translation slot and control movement of the translatable plate along a second axis.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 156,499, filed Mar. 4, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a support structure having a translation assembly configured to facilitate substantially optimal focusing and alignment of an optical beam onto a spectrometer detector.

Background Art

[0003] It is generally understood that the problems associated with many embodiments of spectrometers include the ability to easily and accurately adjust the focusing and alignment of an optical beam onto a detector. This task is particularly difficult for those who perform adjustments in the field where technicians do not have access to special resources. For example, in many embodiments of spectrometers, the detector is mounted at a fixed position on a base plate within the spectrometer using fasteners configured to hold the detector in a fixed position as a permanent assembly for storing the focusing position. In these embodiments, when it is desirable to adjust the focusing, the technician at least partially disassembles the assembly by loosening the fasteners enough to move the position of the detector on the plate. In this example, while monitoring the signal from the detector, the position of the detector can be adjusted over one or more degrees of freedom (e.g., forward / backward and left / right) (e.g., in the case of a Raman spectrometer, monitoring the neon spectrum to achieve the best full width at half maximum).

[0004] This approach has several drawbacks, including the need to return the spectrometer to the factory for adjustment if problems related to the detector that require replacement are identified in the field. This is because service engineers cannot quickly or efficiently refocus a new detector outside of a factory environment.

[0005] Therefore, a configuration is needed that allows for easy and precise adjustment of focusing and alignment without the use of special tools or resources. [Overview of the project]

[0006] Systems, methods, and products addressing these and other needs are described herein in terms of exemplary, non-limiting implementations. Various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents are possible.

[0007] An embodiment of a support structure for adjusting the positions of multiple optical elements is described, comprising: a support structure for adjusting the positions of multiple optical elements, a base plate having a centering pin, a first translation slot, and a second translation slot; and a translationable plate configured to be operably coupled to the multiple optical elements and to move relative to the base plate, wherein the translationable plate comprises a centering slot configured to engage with the centering pin, a first cam configured to engage with the first translation slot and to control the movement of the translationable plate along a first axis, and a second cam configured to engage with the second translation slot and to control the movement of the translationable plate along a second axis.

[0008] In some cases, the optical elements may include optical mirrors, and the movement of a translatable plate along a first axis may be configured to allow alignment of the spectrometer. The movement of the translatable plate along a second axis may include linear movement of a centering pin within a centering slot, and the first axis may be substantially parallel to the centering slot and / or substantially parallel to the second translation slot and / or substantially perpendicular to the first translation slot.

[0009] In some implementations, the movement of a translationable plate along a second axis is configured to focus the light beam over the length of the array detector and may include rotation around a centering pin.

[0010] Furthermore, the first and second cams may each have a cam pin that, in some cases, can be offset from the center of the bodies of the first and second cams. The rotation of the first cam around the cam pin can generate a force between the first cam and the first opening in the translationable plate, causing the translationable plate to move along the first axis relative to the base plate. In some applications, about 1 / 10 of a full rotation defines the entire range of motion, which may be about 2.25 mm.

[0011] One embodiment of a system for adjusting the characteristics of a light beam is described, comprising: an aperture through which a light beam enters; a detector configured to generate a signal in response to the light beam; and a support structure, the support structure comprising: a base plate comprising a centering pin; a first translation slot; a second translation slot; and a translationable plate operably coupled to a plurality of optical elements and configured to direct a light beam from the aperture to the detector and move it relative to the base plate, the translationable plate comprising: a centering slot configured to engage with the centering pin; a first cam configured to engage with the first translation slot and to control the movement of the translationable plate along a first axis; and a second cam configured to engage with the second translation slot and to control the movement of the translationable plate along a second axis.

[0012] In some cases, the optical elements may include optical mirrors, and the movement of a translatable plate along a first axis may be configured to align the spectrometer. The movement of the translatable plate along a second axis may include the linear movement of a centering pin within a centering slot, and the first axis may be substantially parallel to the centering slot and / or substantially parallel to the second translation slot and / or substantially perpendicular to the first translation slot.

[0013] In some implementations, the movement of a translationable plate along a second axis is configured to focus the light beam over the length of the array detector and may include rotation around a centering pin.

[0014] Furthermore, the first and second cams may each have a cam pin that, in some cases, can be offset from the center of the bodies of the first and second cams. The rotation of the first cam around the cam pin can generate a force between the first cam and the first opening in the translationable plate, causing the translationable plate to move along the first axis relative to the base plate. In some applications, about 1 / 10 of a full rotation defines the entire range of motion, which may be about 2.25 mm.

[0015] A method for adjusting the characteristics of a light beam is described, which includes moving a translatable plate relative to a base plate, the translatable plate being operably coupled to a plurality of optical elements configured to direct a light beam from an aperture to a detector, the base plate comprising a centering pin, a first translation slot, and a second translation slot, the translatable plate comprising a centering slot configured to engage with the centering pin, a first cam configured to engage with the first translation slot and to control the movement of the translatable plate along a first axis, and a second cam configured to engage with the second translation slot and to control the movement of the translatable plate along a second axis.

[0016] In some cases, movement of a translatable plate along the first axis allows for the alignment of the spectrometer. In other cases, movement of a translatable plate along the second axis allows for the focusing of the light beam over the length of the array detector.

[0017] Furthermore, rotating the first cam around the cam pin can generate a force between the first cam and the first opening in the translationable plate, causing the translationable plate to move along the first axis relative to the base plate.

[0018] The embodiments and implementations described above are not necessarily exclusive or inclusive of one another, and can be combined in any way that is non-contradictory and otherwise possible, whether presented in relation to the same or different embodiments or implementations. The description of one embodiment or implementation is not intended to limit it to other embodiments and / or implementations. Furthermore, any one or more functions, steps, operations, or techniques described elsewhere in this specification can be combined in alternative implementations with any one or more functions, steps, operations, or techniques described in the summary of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments and implementations described above are illustrative, not limiting. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] The above and further features will be more clearly understood from the following detailed explanation when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. In the drawings, similar reference numbers indicate similar structures, elements, or method steps, and the number at the left of the reference number indicates the drawing number in which the reference element first appears (for example, element 110 first appears in Figure 1). However, all of these rules are intended to be typical or illustrative, not limiting. [Figure 1] This is a functional block diagram of one embodiment of a microscope device that communicates with a computer. [Figure 2] This is a simplified graphical representation of one embodiment of an optical assembly comprising a base plate and a translationable plate. [Figure 3] This is a simplified graphical representation of one embodiment of the base plate shown in Figure 2, which includes a centering pin, a first translational slot, and a second translational slot. [Figure 4] This is a simplified graphical representation of one embodiment of the translatable plate shown in Figure 2, which includes a slot and two cam elements. [Figure 5] This is a simplified graphical representation of one embodiment of the cam element in Figure 4, which includes a cam pin. [Figure 6]A simplified graphical representation of an embodiment of a translatable plate of FIGS. 2 and 4, comprising a first cam opening and a second cam opening, through which the cam pins of each cam engage one of the translational slots of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] A simplified graphical representation of an embodiment of a first translational slot engaged with a cam pin.

[0020] The same reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout several views of the drawings.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] As will be described in more detail below, embodiments of the present invention include a support structure having a translational assembly configured to facilitate substantially optimal focusing and alignment of an optical beam onto a spectrometer detector. More specifically, the translational assembly includes cam elements that allow for fine adjustment of the position of the translatable plate in two degrees of freedom.

[0022] FIG. 1 provides a simplified, exemplary embodiment of a user 101 that can interact with a computer 110 and a microscope 120. Embodiments of the microscope 120 can include a variety of commercially available microscopes. For example, the microscope 120 can include a DXR confocal-compatible Raman microscope available from Thermo Fisher Scientific. FIG. 1 also shows a network connection between the computer 110 and the microscope 120, but it is intended to be exemplary and it will be understood that additional or fewer network connections may be included. Further, network connections between elements can include “direct” transmission of wired or wireless data (e.g., represented by a lightning bolt) or “indirect” communication through other devices (e.g., switches, routers, controllers, computers, etc.). Thus, the example of FIG. 1 should not be considered limiting.

[0023] Computer 110 may include any type of computing platform, such as a workstation, personal computer, tablet, "smartphone", one or more servers, compute cluster (local or remote), or other current or future computer or computer cluster. A computer typically includes known components such as one or more processors, an operating system, system memory, memory storage devices, input / output controllers, input / output devices, and display devices. It will also be understood that more than one implementation of computer 110 may be used to perform various operations in different embodiments, and thus the representation of computer 110 in FIG. 1 should not be considered limiting.

[0024] In some embodiments, computer 110 may employ a computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium storing control logic (e.g., a computer software program including program code). When executed by the processor, the control logic causes the processor to perform some or all of the functions described herein. In other embodiments, some functions are implemented primarily in hardware, for example, using a hardware state machine. Implementations of hardware state machines for performing the functions described herein will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also in the same or other embodiments, computer 110 may employ an internet client, which may include dedicated software applications enabled to access remote information over a network. The network may include one or more of the various types of networks well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the network may include a local or wide area network that may employ what is commonly called the TCP / IP protocol suite for communication. The network may include a global interconnected computer network system commonly referred to as the Internet, or it may include various intranet architectures. Those skilled in the art will also understand that some users within a network environment may prefer to employ what is commonly called a "firewall" (also called a packet filter or boundary protection device) to control information traffic entering and leaving hardware and / or software systems. For example, a firewall may include hardware or software elements, or a combination thereof, and is typically designed to enforce security policies set by a user, such as a network administrator.

[0025] As described herein, embodiments of the invention described include a support structure comprising a base plate and a translational plate that moves relative to the base plate, the translational plate including an optical component that directs a light beam to a spectrometer detector.

[0026] Figure 2 provides a simplified explanatory example of an optical assembly 200 including multiple optical elements in a “triple spectrometer” configuration, as described in U.S. Patent No. 7,345,760, which is incorporated herein by reference in whole for all purposes. For example, the optical assembly 200 includes an input aperture 203 that introduces a light beam onto the optical path 210 to a primary mirror 205. The light beam is reflected from the primary mirror 205 and proceeds to a grating 235 that adjusts the light beam, and is reflected again along the optical path 210 to a secondary mirror 217, the position of which relative to the optical path 210 affects the focusing of the light beam across the array of elements of the detector 240 (for example, the characteristics of the grating 235 may be selectable by rotating the desired embodiment within the optical path 210). The light beam is then reflected from the secondary mirror 217 and directed along the optical path 210 to a secondary mirror 219, the position of which relative to the optical path 210 affects the focusing of the light beam onto the detector 240.

[0027] Figure 2 also shows a base plate 260 having a centering pin 265 and a translatable plate 250 having a slot 253 that engages with the centering pin 265, allowing the centering pin 265 to move along the axis of the slot 253. The translatable plate 250 also includes two embodiments of a cam 205 that can be used to move the translatable plate 250 very precisely relative to the base plate 260.

[0028] Figure 3 provides a simplified explanatory example of the base plate 260, which more clearly shows the centering pin 265, as well as the first translation slot 305 and the second translation slot 307. As will be described in more detail below, the first translation slot 305 and the second translation slot 307 are used to control the position of the translatable plate 250 relative to the base plate 260.

[0029] Figure 4 provides a simplified explanatory example of a translationable plate 250 with two mounting configurations of slot 253 and cam 205. Figure 5 provides a simplified explanatory example of a cam 205 having a handle 510 attached to the cam body 515, the handle 510 providing a lever action to the user 101 to provide rotational force to the cam 205. Figure 5 also shows a cam pin 520 attached to the base of the cam body 515. For example, the base of the cam body 515 may be substantially circular (for example, when viewed from below), and the cam pin 520 may be positioned offset from the center of the circle.

[0030] Figure 6 provides a simplified explanatory example of the translatable plate 250, where the centering pin 265 is located within the base plate 260 as close as possible to the focusing plane and optical axis 610 of the detector 240. The slot 253 within the base plate 260 is substantially parallel to the optical axis 610, and sliding the translatable plate 250 along the direction of the movement axis 625 (e.g., along the slot 253) results in a substantially "focusing" motion, which is the primary motion required to align the detector 240. The use of the slot 253 and the centering pin 265 enables this "focusing" motion while allowing a second degree of freedom, rotation around the centering pin 265 along the tilt rotation 627. The tilt rotation 627 allows for optimizing the quality of focusing not just at a single point, but over the length of the array detector.

[0031] Figure 6 further illustrates embodiments of a cam pin 520 engaged with a first translation slot 305 and embodiments of a cam pin 520 engaged with a second cam slot 307. For example, in one embodiment of the cam 205, the cam pin 520 is inserted through a first cam opening 605 of the translatable plate 250 so as to engage with the first translation slot 305 of the base plate 260. Similarly, in an embodiment of the cam 205, the cam pin 520 is inserted through a second cam opening 607 of the translatable plate 250 so as to engage with the second translation slot 307 of the base plate 260. Because the cam pin 520 is offset from the center position within the cam body 515, the rotation of the cam 205 within the first translation slot 305 and / or the second translation slot 307 generates a force between the cam body 515 and the walls of the first cam opening 605 and / or the second cam opening 607, resulting in the translationable plate 250 moving relative to the base plate 260.

[0032] Figure 7 provides a simplified explanatory example of how a displacement of angle θ703 results in a displacement X705 given by the following equation. X = Rsin(θ)

[0033] Here, distance R707 is the distance from the center of the pin to the central axis of the cam 205. For example, the actual value of distance R707 provides a function that determines the lever action or mechanical advantage of the cam 205. It may be desirable that distance R707 be selected such that approximately ±1 / 10 of a rotation of a perfect circle provides the total amount of advance required for adjustment. In this example, the optical tolerance may produce a variation of approximately 1% of the focusing distance of the detector 240, preferably about 225 mm, and therefore requires an advance of about 2.25 mm, and thus distance R707 should be about 3.8 mm.

[0034] For example, returning to Figure 6, the cam 205 positioned within the first cam opening 605 may be substantially aligned with the optical axis 610 (e.g., the optical axis 610 is substantially parallel to the slot 253), and the cam pin 520 engages with the first translational slot 305 which is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis 610. Thus, rotating the cam in the first cam opening 605 pushes the plate back and forth along the optical axis 610, making a "focusing" adjustment. Because the first translational slot 305 is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis 610, the translatable plate 250 can freely rotate around the centering pin 265 along the length of the first translational slot 305 (e.g., tilt rotation 627).

[0035] Continuing in this example, the second implementation of the cam 205, positioned within the second cam opening 607, performs "tilt" adjustment. The second translation slot 307 may be substantially parallel to the optical axis 610 and therefore does not restrict "focusing" adjustment. However, the rotating cam 205 within the second cam opening 607 drives the translatable plate 250 to an orientation that restricts its "tilt" axis, while still allowing further "focusing" adjustment.

[0036] While various embodiments and implementations have been described, those skilled in the art should understand that the above are merely illustrative and not limiting, but simply presented as examples. Many other systems are possible for distributing functionality among the various functional elements of the illustrated embodiments. The functionality of any element can be performed in various ways in alternative embodiments.

Claims

1. A support structure for supporting multiple optical elements and for adjusting the positions of the multiple optical elements, A base plate comprising a centering pin, a first translation slot, and a second translation slot, A translationable plate configured to be operably coupled to a plurality of optical elements and to move relative to the base plate, comprising: a centering slot configured to engage with a centering pin; a first cam configured to engage with the first translation slot and to control the movement of the translationable plate along a first axis; and a second cam configured to engage with the second translation slot and to control the movement of the translationable plate along a second axis, A support structure in which the longitudinal axis of the centering slot is substantially parallel to the optical axis.

2. The optical element includes a mirror. The support structure according to claim 1.

3. The spectrometer is configured to be able to be aligned by the movement of the translationable plate along the first axis. The support structure according to claim 1.

4. The movement of the translationable plate along the second axis includes the linear movement of the centering pin within the centering slot. The support structure according to claim 3.

5. The first axis is substantially parallel to the centering slot. The support structure according to claim 3.

6. The first axis is substantially parallel to the second translation slot. The support structure according to claim 3.

7. The first axis is substantially perpendicular to the first translation slot. The support structure according to claim 3.

8. The movement of the translationable plate along the second axis is configured to focus a light beam over the length of the array detector, and the movement of the translationable plate along the second axis includes rotation around the centering pin. The support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The first cam and the second cam each have a cam pin that is offset from the center of the body of the first cam and the second cam. The support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The rotation of the first cam around the cam pin generates a force between the first cam and the first opening in the translationable plate, causing the translationable plate to move along the first axis relative to the base plate. The support structure according to claim 9.

11. A system for adjusting the characteristics of a light beam, An aperture through which the light beam enters, A detector configured to generate a signal in response to the aforementioned light beam, A support structure is provided, and the support structure is A base plate comprising a centering pin, a first translation slot, and a second translation slot, A translationable plate operably coupled to a plurality of optical elements and configured to direct the light beam from the aperture to the detector and move it relative to the base plate, comprising: a centering slot configured to engage with a centering pin; a first cam configured to engage with the first translation slot and to control the movement of the translationable plate along a first axis; and a second cam configured to engage with the second translation slot and to control the movement of the translationable plate along a second axis, The longitudinal axis of the centering slot is substantially parallel to the optical axis in the system.

12. The spectrometer is positioned by the movement of the translationable plate along the first axis. The system according to claim 11.

13. The movement of the translationable plate along the second axis includes the linear movement of the centering pin within the centering slot to focus the light beam over the length of the array detector. The system according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The movement of the translationable plate along the second axis includes rotation around the centering pin. The system according to claim 13.

15. A method for adjusting the characteristics of a light beam, This includes moving a translationable plate relative to a base plate, The translationable plate is operably coupled to a plurality of optical elements configured to direct a light beam from the aperture to the detector, The base plate comprises a centering pin, a first translation slot, and a second translation slot, and the translatable plate comprises a centering slot configured to engage with the centering pin, a first cam configured to engage with the first translation slot and to control the movement of the translatable plate along a first axis, and a second cam configured to engage with the second translation slot and to control the movement of the translatable plate along a second axis. A method wherein the longitudinal axis of the centering slot is substantially parallel to the optical axis.

16. The movement of the translationable plate along the first axis allows for alignment of the spectrometer, and the movement of the translationable plate along the second axis allows for focusing the light beam over the length of the array detector. The method according to claim 15.

17. The rotation of the first cam around the cam pin generates a force between the first cam and the first opening in the translationable plate, thereby moving the translationable plate along the first axis relative to the base plate. The method according to claim 15 or 16.

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