Transmitted illumination system, and microscope

Abstract

A transmitted illumination system and a microscope. The microscope is provided with an objective lens (600) or a plurality of objective lenses (600) of different magnifications. The transmitted illumination system comprises a light source (100), a light condensing module (200), and a diffuser (300), the light condensing module (200) being arranged downstream of the light path of the light source (100) and configured to converge the light emitted by the light source (100), and the diffuser (300) being arranged downstream of the light condensing module (200) and configured to diffuse the light emitted by the light condensing module (200), wherein different diffusers (300) are selected at the downstream of the light condensing module (200) corresponding to the objective lenses (600) of different magnifications; or the diffuser (300) is a diffuser (300) having a preset scattering range, and the objective lenses (600) of different magnifications share the diffuser (300).

Description

Transmitted illumination system and microscope Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of microscopes, and in particular to a transillumination system and a microscope. Background Art

[0002] Microscopes are one of the main technical means of microscopic observation, with a wide range of applications. In order to expand the application scenarios, a microscope is usually equipped with multiple objective lenses of different magnifications to meet the observation needs of samples of different scales. However, the numerical apertures of different objective lenses are different. Generally speaking, the numerical aperture of high-magnification objective lenses is much larger than that of low-magnification objective lenses. When the numerical aperture output by the transmitted illumination system cannot meet the numerical aperture of the objective lens, the aperture diaphragm of the objective lens will not be fully filled, reducing the observation effect. Usually, the industry uses multiple sets of condensers to match different objective lenses. For example, when switching from a low-magnification objective lens to a high-magnification objective lens, the condenser in the transmitted illumination system is also replaced simultaneously to make the numerical aperture output by the transmitted illumination system match the numerical aperture of the objective lens as much as possible, but this method will increase the cost of equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main purpose of the present disclosure is to propose a transillumination system, aiming to enable the output light of the transillumination system to fill the aperture stop of each objective lens at a low cost.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the transmitted illumination system proposed in the present disclosure is applied to a microscope, wherein the microscope is equipped with an objective lens or multiple objective lenses with different magnifications. The transmitted illumination system includes: a light source; a focusing module, arranged downstream of the optical path of the light source, for converging the output light of the light source; and a scatterer, arranged downstream of the focusing module, for diffusing the output light of the focusing module; wherein the scatterers are provided in plurality, corresponding to the objective lenses with different magnifications, and different scatterers are selected downstream of the focusing module; or, the scattering angle of the scatterer matches the numerical aperture of the objective lens with the maximum magnification of the microscope.

[0005] Optionally, at least one of the scatterers is configured as a Lambertian scatterer.

[0006] Optionally, a scattering angle of at least one of the scatterers is greater than or equal to 60 degrees.

[0007] Optionally, there are multiple scatterers, and the multiple scatterers can be rotatably arranged on the light-emitting side of the focusing module.

[0008] Optionally, the transmission illumination system includes a rotatable turntable, and the plurality of scatterers are distributed at intervals around the rotation axis of the turntable.

[0009] Optionally, the turntable can be arranged to rotate with damping.

[0010] Optionally, the turntable is driven manually or electrically.

[0011] Optionally, a plurality of the scatterers are stacked and arranged flippably, so that each of the scatterers can be switched between a position relative to the light path of the focusing module and a position avoiding the light path of the focusing module.

[0012] Optionally, the light source is configured as a planar LED and / or a white light LED.

[0013] Optionally, the light source is configured as a hemispherical LED, and a diffusion plate is further provided between the light source and the focusing module.

[0014] Optionally, the diffusion plate is configured as a frosted glass plate, a semi-transparent plate, or a micro-lens array.

[0015] Optionally, the focusing module includes a first focusing lens and a second focusing lens.

[0016] Optionally, the first focusing lens is configured as a meniscus lens.

[0017] Optionally, the second condensing lens is configured as a biconvex lens.

[0018] Optionally, the light divergence angle of the light emitting side of the focusing module is less than 10 degrees.

[0019] Optionally, the light source is arranged at an entrance pupil of the transillumination system.

[0020] The present disclosure also provides a microscope comprising the aforementioned transmitted illumination system.

[0021] In the disclosed technical solution, the light emitted by the light source has a small divergence angle after passing through the focusing module, forming a relatively uniform spatial illumination spot. This spot then illuminates the scatterer, diffuses through the scatterer, and exits toward the objective lens. The divergence angle of the transmitted illumination system is approximately the root mean square of the sum of the squares of the divergence angles of the focusing module and the scatterer. This spatial illumination spot can produce different scattering effects when irradiated on different scatterers.

[0022] On the one hand, the scatterer is a scatterer with a preset scattering range, so that after the outgoing light of the focusing module is diffused by the scatterer, the angle of the output light of the transmitted illumination system can match the numerical aperture of the maximum magnification objective lens of the microscope. In this way, the scatterer with a preset scattering range is compatible with other low-magnification objective lenses. Objective lenses of different magnifications share a scatterer, and the angle of the output light of the transmitted illumination system can also match the numerical aperture of any objective lens installed on the microscope. Specifically, a scatterer with a preset scattering range can be configured for the transmitted illumination system. The divergence angle of this scatterer is large enough. After the scatterer diffuses the light, the output light of the transmitted illumination system can fill the aperture diaphragm of all objective lenses. Compared with the related art of adding or replacing the condenser, the cost of the scatterer designed in this application is relatively low. Therefore, the output light of the transmitted illumination system can be filled with the aperture diaphragm of each objective lens at a low cost to ensure the observation effect of the microscope on the sample.

[0023] Furthermore, different scatterers are selected downstream of the focusing module to correspond to objective lenses of different magnifications. This allows the transillumination system to be configured with multiple scatterers with varying scattering angles. When switching between objective lenses of varying magnifications, adaptively switching between different scatterers in the optical path downstream of the focusing module allows the divergence angle of the transillumination system to change, thereby matching the output light angle of the transillumination system to the numerical aperture of the objective lens and fully utilizing the light efficiency. Since the adjustment process only involves switching between scatterers, the focusing module does not need to be switched accordingly. This means that only multiple scatterers with varying scattering angles need to be configured, resulting in very low cost and convenient operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0025] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a transmissive illumination system disclosed herein;

[0026] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an observation image of an embodiment of a transmissive illumination system disclosed herein;

[0027] FIG3 is an angular spectrum of a Lambertian scatterer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG4 is a diagram showing the light field intensity distribution of a light-emitting surface of an embodiment of a transmissive illumination system disclosed herein;

[0029] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of a partial structure of an embodiment of a transmissive illumination system disclosed herein;

[0030] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the system structure of an embodiment of the microscope disclosed herein.

[0031] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0032] The realization of the objectives, functional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with the embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0034] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present disclosure involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0035] In this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "connect," "fix," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "fix" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean internal communication between two elements or an interaction between two elements, unless otherwise expressly specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this disclosure based on specific circumstances.

[0036] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, if the meaning of "and / or" appearing in the full text is to include three parallel schemes, taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes scheme A, or scheme B, or a scheme in which A and B are satisfied at the same time. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in this field to implement. When the combination of technical solutions is mutually contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present disclosure.

[0037] This disclosure provides a transillumination system for use in microscopes. Without loss of generality, the transillumination system is a brightfield transillumination system. Light from a light source 100 illuminates a translucent sample from bottom to top. The illumination light passes through the sample and directly enters the objective lens, where it is captured by a camera.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Figures 1 and 6 , the transillumination system includes: a light source 100; a focusing module 200, disposed downstream of the optical path of the light source 100, for converging the light emitted by the light source 100; and a scatterer 300, disposed downstream of the focusing module 200, for diffusing the light emitted by the focusing module 200. The microscope is equipped with one objective lens 600 or multiple objective lenses 600 of different magnifications.

[0039] Wherein, corresponding to the objective lenses 600 of different magnifications, different scatterers 300 are selected downstream of the focusing module 200; or, the scatterer 300 is a scatterer with a preset scattering range, and the objective lenses 600 of different magnifications share the scatterer 300.

[0040] In the disclosed technical solution, the light emitted by the light source 100 has a small divergence angle after passing through the focusing module 200, forming a relatively uniform spatial illumination spot. The light is then irradiated on the scatterer 300, diffused by the scatterer 300, and emitted in the direction of the objective lens 600. The light emitted by the scatterer 300 passes through the sample 500 placed on the stage 400, forming a transmitted light, and enters the objective lens 600, and is finally captured by the imaging system 700 as an image. To meet the needs of different observation magnifications, the observation magnification of the system can be adaptively adjusted by replacing the objective lens 600.

[0041] The surface of the scatterer 300 is covered with particles of varying sizes, or is formed from a scattering colloid material. The random scattering of the particles, or the inherent scattering effect of the colloid material, deflects the angle of light incident on the surface, resulting in light scattering. The divergence angle of the transmitted illumination system is approximately the root mean square of the sum of the squares of the divergence angles of the focusing module 200 and the divergence angles of the scatterer 300. The aforementioned spatial illumination spot illuminates different scatterers 300, resulting in different scattering effects.

[0042] On one hand, the scatterer 300 has a preset scattering range, so that after the outgoing light from the focusing module is diffused by the scatterer 300, the angle of the output light from the transillumination system can match the numerical aperture of the microscope's maximum magnification objective lens 600. In this way, this scatterer with a preset scattering range is compatible with other low-magnification objective lenses 600. Objective lenses 600 of different magnifications can share a single scatterer 300, and the angle of the output light from the transillumination system can also match the numerical aperture of any objective lens installed in the microscope. Specifically, the transillumination system can be equipped with a scatterer 300 with a preset scattering range. The divergence angle of this scatterer 300 is sufficiently large that, after the scatterer 300 diffuses the light, the output light from the transillumination system can fill the aperture of all objective lenses. When the microscope is equipped with only one objective lens, the scatterer's effect allows the outgoing light from the transillumination system to fill the aperture of this objective lens. When the microscope is equipped with multiple objective lenses of different magnifications, this scatterer is compatible with the other low-magnification objective lenses of the microscope. Compared to the related art of adding or replacing a condenser, the cost of the scatterer 300 designed in this application is relatively low. Therefore, the output light of the transillumination system can be made to fill the aperture stop of each objective lens at a low cost to ensure the observation effect of the microscope on the sample. As shown in Figure 2, this figure also shows that when the transillumination system is equipped with a scatterer 300 whose divergence angle matches the numerical aperture of the objective lens with the maximum magnification, only the objective lens is switched without performing other operations (i.e., without replacing the components of the transillumination system). As can be seen from the figure, under the premise that the divergence angle of the scatterer 300 matches the numerical aperture of the objective lens with the maximum magnification, the observation image of the fiber filament can be provided with good effect corresponding to the objective lenses of different magnifications.

[0043] Without loss of generality, the scatterer configured by the transillumination system is a Lambert type scatterer. It is understood that the relationship between the angle and intensity of the light emitted by the Lambert type scatterer 300 satisfies the Lambert distribution, and its angular spectrum is shown in Figure 3. Lambert distribution, also known as cosine distribution, refers to the light emitted at different angles, and its intensity is approximately equal to the cosine value of the emission angle (the intensity in the vertical direction (0 °) is the maximum, the normalized value is 1, and at ± 60 ° angular position, the light intensity is approximately equal to 0.5). For the scatterer 300 with a Lambert type scattering pattern, when emitting light forward, the light intensity is the maximum, and the outgoing light energy of the focusing module 200 retains good spatial uniformity on the surface of the scatterer 300, as shown in Figure 4, and the divergence angle is greatly increased, and the aperture stop of all objective lenses with a numerical aperture value below 0.9 can be filled to meet its observation needs. Of course, in other embodiments, the scatterer can also be configured as a common light homogenizer, and the scattering angle is greater than or equal to 60 degrees, so that the angle of the output light of the transillumination system can be matched to the numerical aperture of any objective lens installed by the microscope.

[0044] On the other hand, different scatterers are selected downstream of the focusing module to correspond to objective lenses of different magnifications. In this way, the transillumination system can be configured with multiple scatterers with different scattering angles. When switching between objective lenses of different magnifications, adaptively switching between different scatterers 300 in the optical path downstream of the focusing module 200 can change the divergence angle of the transillumination system, thereby matching the output light angle of the transillumination system to the numerical aperture of the objective lens and fully utilizing the light efficiency. For example, for an objective lens with an NA of 0.5, switching to a scatterer 300 with a scattering angle of 25° or approximately 25° can adjust the output numerical aperture of the transillumination system to match the objective lens, allowing the objective lens to more effectively receive light from the transillumination system.

[0045] It is understandable that large-angle illumination light that exceeds the numerical aperture of the objective lens is essentially unable to effectively participate in imaging. Therefore, in some application scenarios, such as when the light source power is insufficient, or when observing thick sample slices, or when the sample transmission coefficient is low, the light intensity after the illumination light path passes through the sample will be low. At this time, the numerical aperture output by the transmitted illumination system is too large, which will lead to a waste of light energy.

[0046] Therefore, in order to match the observation requirements of objectives with different magnifications, it is necessary to adaptively adjust the light divergence angle output by the transmitted illumination system according to the numerical aperture of the objective.

[0047] In the present disclosure, different scatterers can be switched to match different objective lenses to fully utilize light energy. Since the adjustment process only involves switching the scatterers 300, the focusing module 200 does not need to be switched accordingly. In other words, only multiple scatterers 300 with different scattering angles need to be configured, which is very low cost and very convenient to operate.

[0048] Specifically, a plurality of the scatterers 300 are switchably arranged on the light-emitting side of the focusing module 200, and different scatterers 300 are configured to have different scattering angles, and at least one of the scatterers 300 is selected to be arranged downstream of the optical path of the focusing module. In this way, corresponding to different objective lenses, different scatterers 300 can be adaptively adjusted to the optical path downstream of the focusing module 200. Among them, corresponding to one objective lens, one scatterer 300 can be selected to be adjusted to the optical path downstream of the focusing module 200, or two or more scatterers 300 can be selected to be stacked and arranged downstream of the optical path of the focusing module 200. Furthermore, among the plurality of scatterers 300, at least one scatterer 300 is configured as a Lambertian scatterer to meet the aperture stop of the objective lens with the maximum magnification.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the plurality of scatterers 300 are rotatably disposed on the light-emitting side of the light-concentrating module 200. This allows for convenient switching between different scatterers 300 by rotating the scatterers 300. Of course, in other embodiments, the scatterers 300 may be retractably disposed on the light-emitting side of the light-concentrating module 200. To switch scatterers 300, simply remove the old scatterer 300 and insert the new one.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG5 , the transillumination system includes a rotatable turntable 800, with the plurality of scatterers 300 spaced apart along the circumference of the turntable 800. It will be appreciated that the central axis of the turntable 800 is also its rotational axis, and the plurality of scatterers 300 are arranged around the rotational axis of the turntable 800. Thus, by rotating the turntable 800, the matching scatterer 300 can be moved downstream of the optical path of the focusing module 200 and opposite the objective lens. The turntable 800 can be mounted on the microscope in a damped rotational configuration. In the absence of external forces, the turntable 800 can remain in its original position, facilitating observation of the sample. When the operator needs to switch scatterers 300, applying a certain force can cause the turntable 800 to rotate. Alternatively, the turntable 800 can be driven by a motor, with the operator pressing a button or inputting a corresponding command on a display panel to drive the motor to move the matching scatterer 300 downstream of the optical path of the focusing module 200. Of course, in other embodiments, a plurality of scatterers 300 may be flipped and stacked so that each of the scatterers 300 can be switched between a position relative to the optical path of the focusing module 200 and a position avoiding the optical path of the focusing module 200. When switching the scatterers 300, the unused scatterers 300 are flipped and stood up to avoid the outgoing optical path of the focusing module 200, and the required one or more scatterers 300 are set relative to the outgoing optical path of the focusing module 200.

[0051] In one embodiment, the light source 100 is configured as a planar LED (Light Emitting Diode). This allows the light source 100 to provide a highly uniform illumination light field and facilitates a compact design of the transillumination system, thereby reducing the space occupied by the transillumination system. Of course, in other embodiments, the light source 100 may also be an LCD or Micro LED.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light source 100 is configured as a white light LED. This ensures the service life of the light source 100 and reduces heat generation, which helps ensure the stability of the transillumination system. Of course, in other embodiments, the light source 100 may be configured as a light source 100 of other colors.

[0053] In one embodiment, the light source 100 is disposed at the entrance pupil of the transillumination system. This eliminates the light source image, and the light beam emitted by each point of the light source 100 can be filled to different coordinate positions of the aperture stop of the transillumination system, thereby ensuring the imaging effect of the microscope.

[0054] In one embodiment, the light source 100 is configured as a hemispherical LED, and a diffuser plate is disposed between the light source 100 and the focusing module 200. In this embodiment, the planar diffuser plate eliminates the spherical aberration of the hemispherical LED, allowing the diffuser plate to serve as the second sub-light source 100 and planarize the light emitted by the light source 100. This also provides high illumination field uniformity and facilitates a compact design of the transmissive illumination system, thereby reducing its footprint. Specifically, the diffuser plate is configured as a frosted glass plate. Of course, in other embodiments, the diffuser plate can also be a translucent plate or a microlens array.

[0055] In one embodiment, the focusing module 200 includes a first focusing lens 210 and a second focusing lens 220. Thus, the light emitted by the light source 100 can be converged by at least two focusing lenses, ensuring that the divergence angle of the light on the light-emitting side of the focusing module 200 is sufficiently small so that it can be fully received by the scatterer 300, thereby avoiding light waste. Of course, in other embodiments, the focusing module 200 may also include diverging lenses, as long as the focusing module 200's light converging capability meets the requirements.

[0056] Specifically, the first condenser lens 210 is configured as a meniscus lens, which can collect light at a large angle to ensure the effective use of the light emitted by the light source 100. The first condenser lens 210 can provide a large positive focal length to ensure the convergence of the light emitted by the light source 100; the second condenser lens 220 is configured as a biconvex lens, which can collimate the large-angle light in the edge field of view so that its main light is as parallel to the optical axis as possible. In this way, the light can be fully utilized and the imaging quality of the microscope can be guaranteed. Of course, in other embodiments, the first condenser lens 210 and the second condenser lens 220 can also be configured as lenses of other surface shapes, such as plano-convex lenses.

[0057] In one embodiment, the light divergence angle of the light emitting side of the light concentrating module 200 is less than 10 degrees, so as to ensure that the light emitted by the light concentrating module 200 can be projected onto the scatterer 300 to avoid light waste.

[0058] The present disclosure also proposes a microscope, which includes a transmitted illumination system. The specific structure of the transmitted illumination system refers to the above-mentioned embodiments. Since this microscope adopts all the technical solutions of all the above-mentioned embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought by the technical solutions of the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be described one by one here.

[0059] The above descriptions are merely optional embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure. All equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present disclosure and the drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, within the scope of protection of the present disclosure, are included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A transillumination system, applied to a microscope, wherein the microscope is equipped with one objective lens or multiple objective lenses of different magnifications, characterized in that: The transillumination system comprises: Light source (100); A light focusing module (200), disposed downstream of the light path of the light source, for converging the light emitted by the light source; and a scatterer (300), arranged downstream of the light-concentrating module, for diffusing the light emitted by the light-concentrating module; Wherein, corresponding to the objective lenses of different magnifications, different scatterers are selected downstream of the focusing module; or, the scatterer is a scatterer with a preset scattering range, and the objective lenses of different magnifications share the scatterer.

2. The transillumination system according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the scatterers is configured as a Lambertian scatterer; and / or a scattering angle of at least one of the scatterers is greater than or equal to 60 degrees.

3. The transillumination system according to claim 1, wherein There are multiple scatterers, and each of the scatterers is rotatably arranged on the light-emitting side of the light-concentrating module.

4. The transillumination system according to claim 3, wherein: The transmission illumination system comprises a rotatable turntable (800), and a plurality of the scatterers are distributed at intervals around the rotation axis of the turntable.

5. The transillumination system according to claim 4, wherein: The turntable can be arranged to rotate with damping; and / or the turntable is driven manually or electrically.

6. The transillumination system according to claim 3, wherein: The plurality of scatterers are stacked and arranged flippably, so that each of the scatterers can be switched between a position relative to the light path of the focusing module and a position avoiding the light path of the focusing module.

7. The transillumination system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The light source is configured as a planar LED and / or a white light LED.

8. The transillumination system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The light source is configured as a hemispherical LED, and a diffusion plate is provided between the light source and the focusing module.

9. The transillumination system according to claim 8, wherein: The diffusion plate is configured as a frosted glass plate, a semi-transparent plate, or a micro-lens array.

10. The transillumination system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The focusing module includes a first focusing lens (210) and a second focusing lens (220).

11. The transillumination system according to claim 10, wherein: The first focusing lens is configured as a meniscus lens; And / or, the second focusing lens is configured as a biconvex lens.

12. The transillumination system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The light divergence angle of the light emitting side of the focusing module is less than 10 degrees.

13. The transillumination system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The light source is arranged at the entrance pupil of the transillumination system.

14. A microscope comprising the transmitted illumination system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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