Optical Coupling Mirror Design for Microscope Light Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for designing light signal separation units in optical microscope systems are time-consuming and often do not achieve optimal light separation, as they rely on trial and error to determine the central transmissive region diameter, leading to inefficiencies in collecting peripheral light, especially in high numerical aperture systems.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to determine the dimension of the central transmissive region in a light signal separation unit by identifying the minimal beam deformation point along the optical axis proximal to the exit pupil, accounting for lateral displacement and aberrations, allowing for precise adjustment of the transmissive region to maximize light collection from the objective lens arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional trial and error methods are used to determine the central transmissive region diameter, then the design process can be completed, but it is time-consuming and does not achieve optimal light separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating the optimal central transmissive region diameter using optical parameters (numerical aperture, magnification, field of view) before manufacturing the light signal separation unit. This allows the design to be completed in advance with precise calculations rather than through time-consuming trial and error during the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical trial-and-error adjustment process with an optical calculation system. By using mathematical relationships between optical parameters to determine the optimal diameter, the invention substitutes iterative mechanical adjustment with a deterministic computational approach, significantly reducing design time while improving precision.
2Productivity
If the central transmissive region diameter is not optimally determined, then manufacturing is simpler, but peripheral light collection efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optimal central transmissive region diameter is calculated in advance using optical parameters before manufacturing. This preliminary calculation ensures maximum light collection efficiency is built into the design from the start, eliminating the need for complex iterative adjustments during manufacturing or testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by establishing a mathematical relationship between optical parameters (numerical aperture, magnification, field of view) and the central transmissive region diameter. By changing the approach from empirical adjustment to parameter-based calculation, the invention optimizes light collection efficiency while providing a clear design methodology.
3Measurement precision
If error margins in the central transmissive region dimension are increased, then manufacturing is more tolerant, but light separation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the optimal central transmissive region diameter based on optical parameters, establishing a precise target dimension before manufacturing. This allows manufacturing tolerances to be minimized around a well-defined optimal value, ensuring both high light separation precision and clear manufacturing specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical trial-and-error adjustment with optical parameter calculations to determine the optimal dimension. This substitution provides a deterministic basis for manufacturing, reducing the need for large error margins while maintaining high light separation precision through accurate calculation-based design.
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
This approach minimizes unnecessary error margins in the central transmissive region, enhancing the collection of peripheral light, particularly in high numerical aperture systems, thereby improving the overall efficiency of light separation and detection in optical microscope systems.
Implementation Method 1
the reflective surface is arranged to reflect a peripheral portion of the light beam transmitted from the objective lens arrangement
Implementation Method 2
the central transmissive region is arranged to allow therethrough a central portion of the light beam transmitted from the objective lens arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method of providing a light signal separation unit in an optical reflective microscope system, said optical reflective microscope system comprising an objective lens arrangement configured to collect light reflected off a plurality of field points on an object and to onwardly transmit a light beam formed from the collected light and said light signal separation unit having a reflective surface with a central transmissive region formed therein, wherein said central transmissive region is arranged to allow therethrough a central portion of said light beam transmitted from said objective lens arrangement while said reflective surface is arranged to reflect a peripheral portion of said light beam transmitted from said objective lens arrangement. The method comprises determining an axial position at which to position said light signal separation unit. The axial position being a position along an optical axis of said objective lens arrangement, contiguous to an exit pupil of said objective lens arrangement, at which beam deformation of said light beam is substantially minimal; determining a dimension of a cross section of said light beam at said axial position; and determining a dimension of said central transmissive region based on said dimension of said cross section of said light beam and said lateral displacement at said axial position.