Confocal Microscopy Surface Topography Sensor

Solution Overview

Problem

Confocal microscopy struggles to image larger sample areas with uneven or curved surfaces, as the sample surface frequently leaves the focal plane during scanning, limiting the scanning range and depth information that can be obtained.

Innovation Solution

A device that uses a non-tactile surface topography sensor, such as a confocal chromatic sensor, to determine the sample's surface topography and adjust the sample position to maintain it within the confocal plane during imaging, allowing for effective confocal Raman or fluorescence microscopy of surfaces with significant unevenness or curvature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If confocal microscopy is used to image sample surfaces, then imaging quality and contrast are improved, but the scanning range is limited because the sample surface frequently leaves the focal plane during scanning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidscanning range

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary scan to map the sample surface topography before the actual confocal imaging. This preliminary topography information is used to predict and compensate for surface variations during scanning, allowing the focal plane to be dynamically adjusted to track the sample surface and maintain imaging quality across a larger scanning range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the sample surface position using the mapped topography data and provides feedback to adjust the focal plane position. This feedback mechanism ensures that the focal plane dynamically follows the sample surface contours, maintaining optimal focus and imaging quality even when scanning large areas with uneven surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the scanning range is increased to cover larger sample areas, then productivity is improved, but the sample surface frequently leaves the focal plane causing loss of depth information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning rangeVSAvoiddepth information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary scan to map the sample surface topography before the actual confocal imaging. This preliminary topography information is used to predict and compensate for surface variations during scanning, allowing the focal plane to be dynamically adjusted to track the sample surface and maintain imaging quality across a larger scanning range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the sample surface position using the mapped topography data and provides feedback to adjust the focal plane position. This feedback mechanism ensures that the focal plane dynamically follows the sample surface contours, maintaining optimal focus and imaging quality even when scanning large areas with uneven surfaces

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

Enables the imaging of larger sample areas and surfaces with rough topography by maintaining the sample in the focal plane, enhancing the scanning range and depth information, and improving the imaging quality by compensating for surface irregularities.

Implementation Method 1

confocal chromatic sensor to determine the sample's surface topography

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChromatic aberration:

Implementation Method 2

a confocal image of the substantially punctiform region of the surface is created by a detector located in the plane of the image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConfocal microscopy:

Implementation Method 3

image the chemically-different materials of the sample based on the Raman signal or fluorescence signal emitted by the sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRaman scattering:

Implementation Method 4

Raman and/or fluorescence measurements, confocal measurement possesses advantages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS9891418B2Apparatus for imaging a sample surface

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 WITEC WISS INSTR & TECH

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for imaging surface area of a sample having a surface topography with the aid of confocal microscopy, such as confocal Raman and/or fluorescence microscopy. The apparatus comprises a surface topography sensor that provides values for the surface topography. The surface topography values allow for the surface to be maintained in the confocal plane during scanning.