Acousto-Optical Component Temperature Compensation via RF Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acousto-optical components face complexity and error susceptibility in temperature compensation, requiring extensive parameter handling and higher-level software intervention, which hinders easy operability and rapid temperature stabilization, especially in applications like confocal microscopes.

Innovation Solution

A device and method where the radio frequency for acousto-optical components are adjusted based on a simple linear relationship with temperature, allowing direct compensation by the radio frequency generator, eliminating the need for complex parameter handling and higher-level software support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex parameter handling and higher-level software intervention are used for temperature compensation, then temperature stabilization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilizationVSAvoidparameter handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radio frequency generator automatically performs temperature compensation by reading the temperature sensor signal and adjusting the radio frequency accordingly, without requiring external software intervention or complex parameter handling. The system serves itself by integrating the temperature compensation function directly into the radio frequency generator's control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature compensation function is extracted from complex higher-level software and integrated directly into the radio frequency generator, eliminating the need for external parameter handling and software intervention while maintaining accurate temperature stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If complex parameter handling and higher-level software intervention are used for temperature compensation, then temperature stabilization accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilizationVSAvoidoperability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The radio frequency generator automatically performs temperature compensation by reading the temperature sensor signal and adjusting the radio frequency accordingly, without requiring external software intervention or complex parameter handling. The system serves itself by integrating the temperature compensation function directly into the radio frequency generator's control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature compensation function is extracted from complex higher-level software and integrated directly into the radio frequency generator, eliminating the need for external parameter handling and software intervention while maintaining accurate temperature stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If iterative experimental determination or individual calibration tables are used for compensation parameters, then temperature compensation accuracy is improved, but time consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature compensation accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a predetermined linear relationship between temperature and radio frequency compensation, allowing direct calculation of compensation parameters without iterative experimentation or individual calibration. This approach maintains accuracy while dramatically reducing calibration time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If temperature compensation is performed by higher-level software, then compensation accuracy is improved, but automation and response speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompensation accuracyVSAvoidautomatic temperature compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The radio frequency generator automatically performs temperature compensation by reading the temperature sensor signal and adjusting the radio frequency accordingly, without requiring external software intervention or complex parameter handling. The system serves itself by integrating the temperature compensation function directly into the radio frequency generator's control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables error-free, automatic temperature compensation with a simplified configuration, ensuring correct radio frequency settings regardless of temperature fluctuations, thereby enhancing system operability and stability.

Implementation Method 1

The transducer usually consists of a piezoelectric material and an overlying and underlying electrode. By electrically connecting the two electrodes with radio frequencies, which are usually in the range between 30 MHz and 800 MHz, the piezoelectric material is made to oscillate, so that an acoustic wave (sound wave) is created

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

Acousto-optical crystals, as they are used in the acousto-optical elements in question here, are characterized in that the resulting sound wave changes the optical properties of the crystal, with the sound causing an optical lattice or a comparable optically active structure, for example in the form of a hologram, is induced. Light passing through the crystal undergoes diffraction at the resulting optical grating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcousto-optic effect: Acousto-optic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2215517B1Apparatus and method for operating an acoustooptical component
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH
  • EP2215517B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2215517B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2215517B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for operating an acoustooptical component (1) in order to influence light passing through, in particular in order to influence the illumination light and/or the detection light in the beam path of a microscope, preferably a confocal laser scanning microscope, having a radio-frequency generator (9) for supplying a radio frequency to the acoustooptical component (1), is characterized in that malfunctions of the acoustooptical component (1) which result from temperature fluctuations can be compensated for by adaptation of the radio frequency. A corresponding method and uses are also specified.