Detection Optics with Aspherical Plate for High-NA Aberration Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Increasing the numerical aperture of objective lenses to enhance light detection sensitivity in optical systems like flow and imaging cytometers leads to increased manufacturing costs and decreased detection accuracy due to spherical aberration issues.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an aspherical correction plate between relay lenses and an imaging lens in the optical path, conjugate with the objective lens's pupil position, to correct spherical aberration without the need for high-cost dedicated lenses with large numerical apertures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the numerical aperture NA of the objective lens is increased to enhance detection sensitivity, then detection sensitivity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and detection accuracy decreases due to spherical aberration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

An aspherical correction plate is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the relay lens and the imaging lens. This correction plate specifically compensates for spherical aberration generated by the high-NA objective lens, enabling the use of commercially available lenses while maintaining detection accuracy and sensitivity without requiring custom-manufactured specialized lenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The aspherical correction plate changes the optical parameters of the system by introducing a specific aspherical aberration that counteracts the spherical aberration from the objective lens. This parameter adjustment allows the system to achieve optimal performance with standard lenses rather than requiring expensive custom lenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the numerical aperture NA of the objective lens is increased to enhance detection sensitivity, then detection sensitivity is improved, but detection accuracy decreases due to spherical aberration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The aspherical correction plate serves as a mediator that specifically addresses spherical aberration. By placing this correction plate in the optical path, the system can use high-NA objective lenses to achieve improved detection sensitivity while maintaining detection accuracy through the aberration correction provided by the plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If a dedicated objective lens with large numerical aperture is manufactured to correct spherical aberration, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of manufacturing a dedicated high-cost objective lens with large numerical aperture, the patent introduces an aspherical correction plate as a cost-effective intermediary element. This correction plate can be integrated with standard commercially available lenses to achieve the desired detection accuracy at lower manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The aspherical correction plate represents a cost-effective solution compared to manufacturing specialized high-NA objective lenses. By using this affordable correction element with standard lenses, the system achieves detection accuracy without the high manufacturing costs associated with custom optical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enhances detection accuracy and sensitivity while maintaining cost-effectiveness by correcting spherical aberration, allowing the use of commercially available lenses with large numerical apertures.

Implementation Method 1

an aspherical correction plate that corrects spherical aberration is arranged at a position located between the second relay lens and the imaging lens and substantially conjugate with a pupil position of the objective lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpherical aberration correction:

Data Source

PatentUS12584848B2Detection optical system, detection device, flow cytometer, and imaging cytometer

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A detection optical system includes an objective lens, a first relay lens, a second relay lens, and an imaging lens, which are arranged in order from a side of a specimen along an optical path of light from the specimen illuminated by a light source. A primary imaging plane is provided on the optical path between the first relay lens and the second relay lens. An aspherical correction plate that corrects spherical aberration is arranged at a position located between the second relay lens and the imaging lens and substantially conjugate with a pupil position of the objective lens.