Confocal Microscope Detection Unit Modular Optical Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Confocal laser microscopes face limitations in the number of detection channels that can be added and suffer from light loss due to the use of internal ports and optical fibers, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A confocal laser microscope design that allows for the sequential and cost-effective addition of detection units with aligned detector entrance and exit ports, minimizing light loss by using a splitter to direct light between units and maintaining optical form, and incorporating a relay optical system to prevent beam diameter increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If connecting detecting sections by using internal additional ports, then the microscope structure is compact, but the number of detection channels is limited and arrangement flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into multiple independent detection units, each with its own detecting section. These modular units can be connected in sequence through detector entrance/exit ports, allowing the number of detection channels to be increased by simply adding more units rather than redesigning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector exit port is designed to function both as an output for detected light and as an entrance port for the next detection unit. This dual functionality allows detection units to be chained together, providing universal connectivity and enabling flexible arrangement of multiple detecting sections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If connecting detecting sections by using optical fibers, then detection units can be replaceable, but light quantity is lost due to transmission loss
Solution Approach 1:
A relay optical system acts as an intermediary between detection units, maintaining the optical form of light during transmission. This eliminates the need for optical fiber connections that cause transmission loss, while still enabling replaceable detection units through the detector exit/entrance port interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If increasing the number of detection channels, then detection capabilities are enhanced, but light loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector exit port directly connects to the next detector entrance port, creating a continuous optical path that maintains light intensity. This eliminates intermediate transmission media that would cause loss, allowing multiple detection channels to be added without significant light quantity degradation.
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 the increase in the number of detection channels while maintaining detection efficiency and allowing for flexible arrangement of detecting sections without significant light loss, thus enhancing the microscope's capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a splitter that splits an optical path of light entering through the detector entrance port, causes light in one of the split optical paths to enter the detecting section, and causes light in another optical path to enter the detector exit port
Implementation Method 2
a relay optical system that relays the light entering through the detector entrance port without changing the predetermined optical form
Data Source
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AI summary
The number of detection channels of detecting sections is increased and the detecting sections are replaced easily and at low cost while suppressing loss in the quantity of returning light. Provided is a detection unit (5A) including a detector entrance port (75A) through which light in a predetermined optical form enters, a detector (57A) that detects at least a portion of the light entering through the detector entrance port (75A), and a detector exit port (65A) through which at least another portion of the light entering through the detector entrance port (75A) can exit in the same optical form. Provided is also a confocal scanning laser microscope (100; 200), which includes a plurality of such detection units (5A, 5B).