Adaptive Optics Imaging-Conjugated Position Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional adaptive optics systems face challenges in accurately correcting wavefront phase aberration, especially when the observation target and fluctuation layer are close or the target is minute, leading to unstable correction control and a narrow effective correction range.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive optics system with a wavefront phase modulator and an imaging-conjugated position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the fluctuation correction surface relative to the fluctuation layer, using relay lenses and turn-back optical systems to change optical distances and align the imaging-conjugated surfaces, allowing for precise wavefront phase correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional adaptive optics systems are used, then wavefront phase aberration correction is provided, but correction accuracy deteriorates when the observation target and fluctuation layer are close or the target is minute

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewavefront phase aberration correction accuracyVSAvoideffective correction range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an imaging-conjugated position adjustment mechanism that dynamically adjusts the position of the fluctuation correction surface within the specimen. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different observation scenarios (close targets, minute targets, varying depths) by repositioning the correction surface to maintain optimal imaging-conjugation, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining high correction accuracy and expanding the effective correction range across diverse observation conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the correction function by introducing a movable fluctuation correction surface that can be independently positioned at different depths within the specimen. This segmentation allows different regions of the specimen to be corrected optimally by adjusting the correction surface position, enabling high-accuracy correction for both close and distant targets, as well as minute and extended structures, without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If special optical systems using aspheric lenses or light-driven modulators are used to reduce device size, then device complexity is reduced, but simplicity and flexibility are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidsimplicity and flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal adjustment mechanism that can accommodate various wavefront corrector types (deformable mirrors, spatial light modulators) and optical configurations. The imaging-conjugated position adjustment mechanism serves multiple functions: it adjusts the correction surface position, maintains imaging-conjugation relationships, and adapts to different specimen configurations. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain simplicity and flexibility while controlling device size, without requiring specialized aspheric lenses or light-driven modulators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the fluctuation correction surface position is fixed, then device configuration is simplified, but correction stability deteriorates for varying observation conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice configurationVSAvoidcorrection control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the imaging-conjugated position adjustment mechanism continuously monitors and adjusts the fluctuation correction surface position to maintain optimal imaging-conjugation with the fluctuation layer. This feedback ensures that regardless of changes in observation conditions (target distance, size, depth), the correction surface remains properly positioned, thereby maintaining correction control stability without significantly complicating the device configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 configuration enables high-accuracy wavefront phase aberration correction over a wider range, even when the observation target and fluctuation layer are close, improving image quality and stability in microscopic imaging.

Implementation Method 1

a wavefront phase modulator that makes aberration correction to incident light and emits the corrected light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWavefront phase modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

an imaging-conjugated position adjustment mechanism that adjusts freely within a specimen the position of a surface imaging-conjugated with a fluctuation correction surface formed by the wavefront phase modulator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical imaging conjugation: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP3048465B1Adaptive optical system and optical device
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 INTER UNIV RES INST NAT INST OF NATURAL SCI
  • EP3048465B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3048465B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3048465B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention is intended to provide an adaptive optics system and an optical device that allow correction of wavefront phase aberration with higher accuracy than before and have a wider correction range than the conventional ones, regardless of the distance between the observation target and the fluctuation layer, and the size of the observation target. An adaptive optics system includes: a wavefront phase modulator that makes aberration correction to incident light and emits the corrected light; and an imaging-conjugated position adjustment mechanism that adjusts freely within a specimen the position of a surface imaging-conjugated with a fluctuation correction surface formed by the wavefront phase modulator. The imaging-conjugated position adjustment mechanism adjusts the fluctuation correction surface to be imaging-conjugated with a fluctuation layer existing in the specimen.