Apochromatic Microscope Objective with Segmented Optical Subsystems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscope objectives are limited by their correction only for the visual spectrum and low numerical apertures, which restricts their resolving power and fails to provide adequate transparency in the UV and IR ranges, but digital microscopy demands high-aperture systems with a large chromatic bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A 380 nm to 900 nm apochromatic microscope objective with a numerical aperture of 0.36 to 0.4 and an object field of 4.4 mm, comprising three optical sub-systems with specific lens configurations, including meniscus and cemented elements made of Fluorkron glass, lanthanum glass, and CaF2, to achieve improved transparency and chromatic correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional overview objectives are used with low numerical aperture, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the resolving power and chromatic bandwidth are insufficient for digital microscopy
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into three distinct sub-systems (G1, G2, G3), each with specific lens configurations. The first sub-system uses a meniscus and convergent lens, the second uses three elements including strongly scattering and collecting cemented elements, and the third uses cemented elements with collecting lenses. This segmentation allows each sub-system to be optimized for specific wavelength ranges while working together to achieve broad chromatic bandwidth and high resolving power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite optical systems combining multiple glass types with different refractive indices and dispersion characteristics. Specific materials include Fluorkron glass, highly refractive lanthanum glass, short flint glass, and CaF2. These composite materials are strategically placed in different sub-systems to correct chromatic aberrations across UV, visible, and IR ranges, enabling the system to achieve high resolving power without excessive complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the numerical aperture is increased to improve resolving power, then the chromatic bandwidth is enlarged, but the transparency in UV and IR ranges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the optical system are designed with different material properties optimized for specific wavelength ranges. The first sub-system (G1) uses Fluorkron glass optimized for visible light, the second sub-system (G2) incorporates strongly scattering and collecting cemented elements with specific glass types for UV and IR transmission, and the third sub-system (G3) uses cemented elements with collecting lenses optimized for extended spectrum transmission. This local optimization ensures high transparency across 380-900 nm while maintaining high resolving power.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional objectives are used corrected only for visual spectrum, then the manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the adaptability to digital imaging systems with broad wavelength requirements is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is designed to perform multiple functions across different wavelength ranges simultaneously. The three sub-systems work together to provide correction and transmission optimization for UV (380-450 nm), visible (450-650 nm), and IR (650-900 nm) ranges. This multi-functional design enables the single objective to serve digital microscopy applications requiring broad chromatic bandwidth, adapting to various imaging requirements without needing separate objectives for different spectral ranges.
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 enables high-resolution imaging across a broad wavelength spectrum, enhancing the resolving power and transparency of the microscope objective beyond human visual capabilities, suitable for digital microscopy applications.
Implementation Method 1
the convergent lens of the first sub-system is advantageously made of a Fluorkron glass... the first element of the second sub-system as meniscus is made of a highly refractive lanthanum glass or of a cemented element having at least one lens made of a short flint glass
Implementation Method 2
either the first element or the third element is designed to be strongly scattering and the third sub-system has at least one cemented element with a collecting lens
Data Source
AI summary
An apochromatic microscope objective, including three optical sub-systems, wherein starting from the object plane, the first sub-system includes a meniscus and a convergent lens, wherein the meniscus is curved towards the object plane, the second sub-system is made up of three elements, wherein a first element includes a meniscus or a cemented element, a second element is configured as a collecting cemented element and a third element is a cemented element, and wherein either the first element or the third element is strongly scattering and the third sub-system has at least one cemented element with a collecting lens.