Dichroic Beam Splitter Prism Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorescence measurement arrangements face challenges with miniaturization and require high adjustment efforts due to the need for precise alignment of adjacent optical components with dichroic beam splitter plates, which limits their miniaturization and assembly ease.
Innovation Solution
A dichroic beam splitter comprising two prisms connected at their base surfaces with a dichroic layer between them, where the entrance surface of one prism is perpendicular to the incident radiation, allowing an angle of incidence between 10° to 40° with the dichroic layer, enabling a steep transition range in transmission characteristics and allowing additional optical elements to be directly attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dichroic beam splitter plates are used with surface normal offset by 45° to the beam path, then the transmission characteristic curve exhibits a steep transition slope suitable for fluorescence excitation, but the alignment precision between adjacent optical components becomes very high and adjustment effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beam splitter function with a prism structure, integrating the dichroic coating directly onto the prism surface. This combination eliminates the need for separate alignment of beam splitter plates with other optical components, as the prism itself provides both the beam splitting function and the structural reference for alignment, thereby reducing adjustment effort while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The prism acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the incident beam and the dichroic coating. By incorporating the dichroic coating on the prism surface rather than using a separate plate, the prism serves as a stable reference element that simplifies the alignment process while preserving the steep transmission characteristic needed for fluorescence excitation
2Reliability
If dichroic beam splitter plates are used, then the transmission and reflection values differ depending on wavelength with low scattering losses, but the miniaturization of the arrangement is limited due to precise alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the beam splitter functionality with a prism structure, integrating multiple functions into a single compact component. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment mechanisms and reduces the overall space required for the optical arrangement, enabling miniaturization while maintaining reliable wavelength-dependent transmission and reflection control
Solution Approach 2:
The prism structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the beam splitting function through the dichroic coating, acts as a structural support, and serves as an alignment reference for other optical components. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, facilitating miniaturization of the overall arrangement
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 facilitates easy miniaturization and assembly, maintains precise alignment, and reduces adjustment efforts by allowing direct attachment of optical elements, ensuring accurate transmission characteristics without falsifying measurement results.
Implementation Method 1
Dichroic beam splitters divide incident light into specific wavelength ranges. The transmission characteristic curve as a function of wavelength (transmission is a function of wavelength) of dichroic beam splitter plates exhibits a relatively steep transition slope from low transmission values to low transmission values
Implementation Method 2
A dichroic beam splitter comprising two prisms connected at their base surfaces with a dichroic layer between them, where the entrance surface of one prism is perpendicular to the incident radiation, allowing an angle of incidence between 10° to 40° with the dichroic layer
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement (01) for examining a sample (10) which can be excited by means of electromagnetic radiation (07). The arrangement comprises a first dichroitic beam splitter (02) having a first and a second prism (03a, 03b), which are connected to one another on the base surfaces thereof, and a dichroitic layer (04) arranged between the base surfaces of the two prisms (03a, 03b), wherein an entry surface (06) of the first prism (03a) encloses an angle (β) in the range from 10° to <40° with the dichroitic layer (04). Furthermore, the arrangement comprises a light source (05) for providing the electromagnetic radiation (07) suitable for excitation of the sample (10), wherein the radiation (07) is coupled into the entry surface (06) of the first prism (03a) and wherein a part of the radiation (07) is reflected on the dichroitic layer (04) in the direction of the sample (10), which is positioned downstream of an exit surface (11) of the first prism (03a). Finally, the arrangement comprises a detector (14) for detecting electromagnetic radiation (13) emitted by the sample (10), passed through the beam splitter (02) and leaving the latter on a measurement surface (16). The invention further relates to a dichroitic beam splitter (02), in particular for use in said arrangement (01).