Acousto-Optical Beam Combiner for Scanning Microscope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopes face challenges in efficiently combining light beams of the same wavelength but different polarization, as previous solutions like dichroic beam splitters are inflexible and complex, and acousto-optical beam combiners with multiple mechanical waves suffer from thermal issues and frequency overlap problems.
Innovation Solution
An acousto-optical beam combiner using a crystal with a single mechanical wave, where the crystal and mechanical wave alignment allow both light bundles to be diffracted onto a common optical axis, enabling quick switching and flexible wavelength adaptation without spatial splitting, utilizing a computer-optimized design to achieve collinearity and polarization-specific deflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dichroic beam splitters are used to combine light beams, then light beams of different wavelengths can be combined, but the device is fixed to specific wavelengths and requires cumbersome exchange of components for wavelength changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an acousto-optical beam combiner where the diffraction grating properties are dynamically controlled by acoustic waves rather than being fixed structurally. By adjusting the acoustic frequency and polarization state, the device can adapt to different wavelengths without physical component exchange, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters (acoustic frequency, polarization angle) of the acousto-optical modulator to achieve wavelength selection and beam combining. This parameter-based control replaces the mechanical component exchange approach, enabling flexible wavelength adaptation while maintaining a fixed device structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mechanical waves are used in acousto-optical beam combiner, then different light bundles can be diffracted, but thermal issues and frequency overlap problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic element of using multiple simultaneous mechanical waves. Instead, it uses a single mechanical wave with controlled acoustic frequency and polarization settings to achieve the desired beam combination effect, thereby avoiding thermal accumulation and frequency overlap issues while maintaining beam combination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the expensive and complex multi-wave approach with a simpler, more reliable single-wave approach. The single mechanical wave configuration is more stable and reliable, avoiding the thermal and frequency interference problems associated with multiple waves, while still achieving the necessary beam combination functionality
3Adaptability or versatility
If polarization beam splitters are used to combine light beams, then light beams of different polarization can be combined, but the arrangement is inflexible and requires exchanging essential components
Solution Approach 1:
The acousto-optical beam combiner serves multiple functions: it can combine beams of different wavelengths, different polarizations, and perform wavelength selection all through a single device configuration. By adjusting acoustic parameters and polarization settings, the same hardware achieves what previously required multiple specialized components, eliminating the need for component exchange
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic wave acts as an intermediary that mediates the interaction between light beams of different polarizations. Instead of using fixed polarization beam splitters that require component exchange, the acoustic field dynamically controls the beam combination process, providing flexibility without additional mechanical complexity
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
The solution allows for rapid and flexible combination of light beams with minimal loss and no spatial splitting, enhancing the microscope's ability to adapt to changing illumination requirements while maintaining high diffraction efficiency and stability.
Implementation Method 1
both the first illuminating light bundle and the second illuminating light bundle are diffracted by interaction with at least one mechanical wave and are thereby directed onto a common optical axis
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a beam combiner for a microscope, in particular a scanning microscope, which beam combiner receives at least a first illuminating light bundle and a second illuminating light bundle and combines said illuminating light bundles into an output light bundle, wherein the first illuminating light bundle and the second illuminating light bundle have the same illuminating light wavelength but a different polarization, in particular linear polarization. The beam combiner is designed as an acousto-optic beam combiner and is constructed and operated in such a way that both the first illuminating light bundle and the second illuminating light bundle are deflected by interaction with at least one mechanical wave and thus are directed onto a common optical axis.