Air-Based Laser Coupling for Nanoparticle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser microscopes are complex, costly, and require specialized maintenance due to their reliance on oil-based optical coupling, which complicates automated processes and increases maintenance time, making them less suitable for portable and cost-effective nanometric detection.
Innovation Solution
A method using a laser diode with a specific optical coupling to a glass coverslip at a 25-degree angle, generating an evanescent wave for sub-diffractive nanoparticle detection without oil, allowing for a compact, air-based optical device with automated scanning capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If oil-based optical coupling is used in laser microscopes, then optical resolution is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the oil-based optical coupling medium from the system and replaces it with an air-based optical coupling mechanism. The laser beam is focused directly onto the sample through an air gap, eliminating the need for oil immersion while maintaining optical resolution through precise beam positioning and total internal reflection at the glass-air interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an air gap as an intermediary medium between the laser source and the sample, replacing oil as the optical coupling medium. This air-based coupling maintains optical resolution by enabling total internal reflection at the glass-air interface, while simplifying the system by eliminating oil management requirements.
2Measurement precision
If oil-based optical coupling is used, then optical resolution is improved, but ease of operation and automation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates oil-based coupling to enable automated operation. The air-based optical coupling requires no manual oil application or cleaning, allowing fully automated sample loading, scanning, and data acquisition without human intervention for optical maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The air-based optical coupling system is self-maintaining and does not require manual oil management. The system automatically maintains optimal optical conditions through its inherent design, eliminating the need for user intervention in optical coupling maintenance and enabling autonomous operation.
3Measurement precision
If oil-based optical coupling is used, then optical resolution is improved, but maintenance time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes oil-based coupling to eliminate maintenance requirements. The air-based system has no moving parts or consumable materials that require replacement, reducing maintenance time to zero while preserving optical resolution through stable, maintenance-free optical coupling.
4Measurement precision
If conventional laser microscopy is used, then nanoparticle detection is achieved, but device size and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes bulky oil immersion components and complex optical coupling mechanisms, replacing them with a compact air-based coupling system. This simplification reduces the overall device footprint while maintaining nanoparticle detection capability through efficient total internal reflection at the glass-air interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional oil immersion optics to a two-dimensional air-based coupling plan, simplifying the optical path and reducing mechanical complexity. This dimensional simplification enables a more compact device architecture while preserving detection precision for nanoparticles.
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 efficient detection of sub-diffractive nanoparticles with reduced complexity, cost, and maintenance needs, facilitating portable and automated nanometric vision with improved optical resolution and reduced background noise.
Implementation Method 1
when the laser beam (10) passes through the air-glass interface, it changes its incident angle from 25 to 16 degrees: this is sufficient condition to obtain an internal reflection (45) of the light inside the coverslip. The internal reflection generates an evanescent wave field upon the glass surface
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
This patent application pertains to the optical laser microscopy field and proposes a simplified yet specific optical laser coupling method. The proposed method allows for a sensible reduction in size and complexity of laser based microscopes and related applications, especially in the area of nano particles detection and optical biosensing. Particularly the optical laser coupling proposed method can detect optical signals generated from sub-diffractive nanoparticles located in liquid solution on a standard glass coverslip. Thanks to the small size of the required components and to the usage of standard air-lens objective, without the presence of oil or special prism, this method can be easily embedded into a small, lightweight and portable device, which can properly operate even in absence of gravity.