Diaphragm Array for Selective Wavelength Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diaphragm devices for selective wavelength suppression in spectrally dispersed light lack flexibility and require complex mechanical systems for wavelength selection, especially with broadband light sources.
Innovation Solution
A diaphragm device with arrays of diaphragms arranged in a defined relation, allowing for flexible wavelength selection using movable structured plates or foils, and adjustable optical shutters like LCDs or DMDs, which can be mechanically or electromechanically actuated to cover specific areas of the detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If masks are moved in three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom to achieve flexible wavelength selection, then wavelength selectivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to complicated mechanical and motor systems
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm device is divided into multiple individual diaphragms arranged in arrays, where each diaphragm corresponds to a specific wavelength or wavelength range. This segmentation allows independent control of each diaphragm's position and orientation, enabling flexible wavelength selection without requiring complex six-degree-of-freedom movement of a single mask. The segmented approach simplifies the mechanical system while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic positioning of individual diaphragms or diaphragm arrays along the optical axis and/or laterally, allowing the system to adapt to different wavelength selection requirements. This dynamic capability enables flexible wavelength filtering without requiring complex rotational degrees of freedom, as the diaphragms can be positioned and oriented as needed to suppress specific wavelengths.
2Device complexity
If fixed diaphragms are used for fixed wavelengths, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability decreases when using broadband light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically positionable diaphragms that can be moved along the optical axis and/or laterally to different positions. This dynamic positioning capability allows the same diaphragm structure to serve multiple wavelength selection functions by adjusting its position, thereby providing adaptability for broadband light sources while maintaining relatively simple device complexity compared to fixed multi-diaphragm systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm device is designed with universal applicability through arrays of diaphragms that can be positioned and oriented to suppress various wavelengths. The same physical diaphragm structure can be repositioned to handle different wavelength ranges, making the device versatile for broadband light sources without requiring separate fixed diaphragms for each wavelength, thus reducing overall system complexity.
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 flexible and efficient suppression of wavelengths with reduced mechanical complexity, allowing for precise selection of excitation wavelengths in fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy without the need for complex mechanical systems.
Implementation Method 1
The spectrum of the light coming from the sample is at first dispersed, for instance, by means of a prism or a grating
Implementation Method 2
The spectrum of the light coming from the sample is at first dispersed, for instance, by means of a prism or a grating
Implementation Method 3
individual wavelengths or wavelength ranges are not transmitted; the remaining light passes through the diaphragm
Implementation Method 4
a not insignificant part of the excitation light is also reflected or scattered by the sample and reaches into the path of the detection beam
Implementation Method 5
the remaining light passes through the diaphragm and falls in general on a spectrum resolving detector
Data Source
AI summary
A diaphragm device with which individual wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths in the path of a beam of spectrally dispersed light can be suppressed. Such a diaphragm device comprises at least one array of diaphragms, wherein the individual diaphragms of the array are arranged in a definite relation to each other and may be coupled in the path of the beam and each diaphragm of the array in the coupled state is arranged in a given relation to an individual wavelength or a range of wavelengths.