Darkfield Objective Incident End Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopes face challenges in achieving greater numerical apertures and working distances with darkfield objectives, as the thickening of the light flux diameter within the microscope main body leads to optical system upsizing and arrangement restrictions, and existing solutions either require additional components for flux enlargement or complicate the objective's mechanical structure.
Innovation Solution
A microscope design where the incident end of the darkfield illumination optical path is positioned outside the fitting unit, allowing for a central optical axis, enabling the formation of a circular light flux within the darkfield objective without the need for additional light source units or flux expansion elements, thus simplifying the configuration and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the light flux diameter is thickened in the microscope main body to accommodate larger darkfield objectives, then the numerical aperture and working distance can be improved, but the optical system size increases and arrangement restrictions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the illumination optical path into two separate segments: a thin light flux path in the microscope main body and an enlarged light flux path in the objective lens. The incident end of the darkfield illumination optical path is positioned outside the fitting unit, allowing the optical path to expand only where needed in the objective lens while keeping the microscope main body compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the light flux diameter enlargement from the longitudinal dimension (within the microscope main body) to the radial dimension (outside the fitting unit). By positioning the incident end outside the fitting unit, the optical path can expand radially without increasing the length of the microscope main body.
2Illumination intensity
If additional light source units or flux expansion elements are added to enlarge the light flux, then the darkfield illumination performance is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the darkfield objective lens multi-functional by integrating both the illumination optical path and the observation optical path within the same lens system. The objective lens not only captures light from the sample but also serves as the flux expansion element, eliminating the need for separate light source units or flux expansion elements in the microscope main body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the illumination function and observation function into a single integrated system. The darkfield objective lens combines the illumination optical path (with incident end outside the fitting unit) and the observation optical path, allowing both functions to be performed without additional components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the incident end of the darkfield illumination optical path is positioned inside the fitting unit, then the mechanical structure is simplified, but the light flux diameter cannot be enlarged sufficiently for high numerical aperture objectives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical path configuration from the mechanical fitting structure. By positioning the incident end of the illumination optical path outside the fitting unit, the patent separates the mechanical interface (fitting unit) from the optical interface (incident end), allowing each to be optimized independently for their respective functions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate darkfield light sources are provided for each objective, then each objective can be optimized independently, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal illumination system where a single light source in the microscope main body serves all darkfield objectives. The incident end positioning outside the fitting unit allows this universal illumination path to adapt to different objective lens sizes and configurations without requiring separate light sources for each objective.
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 design allows for the upsizing of the lens system with a relatively simple configuration, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, while minimizing stray light and enabling brighter darkfield observations without the need for separate darkfield light sources for each objective.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system for capturing light from a sample surface
Implementation Method 2
a darkfield illumination optical path through which light from the light source unit passes
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope includes a microscope main body and a darkfield objective. The microscope main body includes a light source unit and a main body side fitting unit for fitting an objective, and the darkfield objective includes an optical system for capturing light from a sample surface and a fitting unit that fits in the main body side fitting unit. A darkfield illumination optical path through which light from the light source unit passes is formed in the darkfield objective. When the darkfield objective is attached to the microscope main body, the darkfield objective has incident end of the darkfield illumination optical path outside the fitting unit, where an optical axis of the optical system is central.