Confocal Optical Scanner Pinhole Disk Microlens Resolution
Solution Overview
Problem
Current confocal optical scanners face challenges in achieving real-time super resolution imaging due to spurious resolution and artifacts from image processing, requiring complex and expensive device configurations, and struggle to improve resolution in both the x-y plane and z-axis direction.
Innovation Solution
A confocal optical scanner with a pinhole disk and microlens configuration that increases the numerical aperture of return light to twice its original value, reducing the point spread function width and eliminating the need for high-frequency enhancement processes, while maintaining mechanical stability and simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional confocal optical scanner configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision (resolution) in both x-y plane and z-axis direction cannot be improved simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging microlenses and pinholes in a three-dimensional configuration rather than a simple planar arrangement. Specifically, microlenses are positioned at different depths (z-axis positions) relative to the pinhole plane, creating a volumetric optical path that simultaneously enhances lateral (x-y plane) and axial (z-axis) resolution without requiring complex multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key optical parameters by adjusting the numerical aperture (NA) through specific microlens-pinhole positioning. By optimizing the distance between microlenses and pinholes, and controlling the angular acceptance of light paths, the system achieves improved resolution in both x-y and z directions through parameter optimization rather than structural complexity.
2Measurement precision
If image processing for super resolution is applied, then measurement precision (resolution) is improved, but spurious resolution and artifacts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based image processing with a hardware-based optical solution. Instead of using computational algorithms that can introduce artifacts and spurious resolution, the system achieves super-resolution through physical optical paths involving microlenses and pinholes arranged in specific three-dimensional configurations, providing artifact-free imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs resolution enhancement in advance during the optical imaging process itself, rather than as a post-processing step. By pre-arranging microlenses and pinholes to create multiple focused light paths that converge on the detector, the system obtains high-resolution images directly from the optical system without requiring subsequent computational processing.
3Productivity
If rapid real-time imaging is implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision (resolution) deteriorates due to lack of processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous real-time imaging with high resolution by creating a optical system that processes multiple spatial frequencies simultaneously through parallel light paths. The microlens-pinhole array configuration allows all resolution-enhancing optical paths to operate continuously without sequential processing steps, maintaining both speed and precision.
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 rapid acquisition of super resolution images with improved resolution in both the x-y plane and z-axis direction, reducing spurious resolution and artifacts, and simplifying the device configuration, making it suitable for detailed three-dimensional observations.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of microlenses 21c are provided on the pinhole disk with microlens 21... each microlens 21c is disposed on a position opposite to each microlens 2a of the microlens disk 2... increases a numerical aperture of light input from a specimen
Implementation Method 2
increases the numerical aperture of return light from an objective lens 7 to twice as large as before... reducing a width of a point spread function of an optical system to half
Data Source
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AI summary
A confocal optical scanner according to one aspect of the present invention includes an optical filter. The optical filter includes a plate-shaped body including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface has a plurality of pinholes. The optical filter further includes a plurality of first microlenses on the second surface. The first microlenses are disposed nearly coaxially with the pinholes, respectively.