Microscope System Using Acoustic Mode Scrambling for Uniform Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber-illumination type microscopes often suffer from non-uniform illumination intensity and patchy noise due to light interference in multimode fibers, which existing mode scrambling techniques like curvature, pressure, or vibrations cannot fully address, leading to suboptimal image quality.

Innovation Solution

A microscope system that employs a mode-scrambling device within the optical fiber to form elastic wave interference fringes, using transducers to generate ultrasonic waves that propagate through the fiber, ensuring uniform illumination by controlling the frequency and phase of these waves to adjust the refractive index, thus reducing spectral noise and mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional mode scrambling techniques (curvature, pressure, vibrations) are used on the optical fiber, then uniform illumination is achieved, but the optical fiber suffers mechanical stress and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of illuminationVSAvoidmechanical integrity of optical fiber

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical mode scrambling methods (curvature, pressure, vibrations) with an acoustic wave-based method. Transducers generate acoustic waves that propagate through the optical fiber, creating refractive index changes via the acousto-optic effect. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical stress on the fiber while achieving mode scrambling through acoustic field interactions, thereby resolving the contradiction between uniform illumination and fiber mechanical integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the optical fiber by inducing acoustic waves that create dynamic refractive index variations. Instead of permanently deforming the fiber through curvature or pressure, the system uses time-varying acoustic fields to temporarily modify the refractive index distribution. This parameter change approach achieves mode scrambling without sustained mechanical stress, protecting the fiber's mechanical strength while ensuring uniform illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If vibrations are applied to the optical fiber for mode scrambling, then uniform illumination is achieved, but audible sounds and vibrations are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of illuminationVSAvoidaudible sound and vibration noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses controlled mechanical vibrations in the form of acoustic waves generated by transducers. These acoustic waves propagate through the optical fiber at frequencies that create effective mode scrambling while remaining below the audible range. The vibrations are confined to the fiber core and do not radiate significantly to the surroundings, thus achieving uniform illumination without generating harmful audible noise or external vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach achieves high-precision, uniform illumination and reduces damage to the optical fiber, enabling improved image quality by suppressing audible sounds and vibrations, and allowing for adjustable mode-scrambling effects tailored to specific observation conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an interference-fringes forming portion that causes elastic waves to propagate in the optical fiber to form interference fringes of the elastic waves in the optical fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic wave propagation: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

forming interference fringes, which scramble light modes and uniformize illumination intensity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcousto-optic effect: Acousto-optic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10324280B2Microscope system

Publication Date: 2019.06.18 EVIDENT CORP

AI summary

Provided is a microscope system including: an optical fiber in which laser light emitted from a light-source apparatus propagates; a microscope that irradiates a specimen with the laser light propagated in the optical fiber and that obtains an image of the specimen; a mode-scrambling device portion that causes elastic waves to propagate in the optical fiber to form elastic wave interference fringes in the optical fiber; and a control device that controls the driving of the mode-scrambling device.