Dichroic Filter Multi-Color Microscope Chromatic Aberration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Small microscope systems face challenges in minimizing image artifacts such as chromatic aberrations and noise from stray light, which are exacerbated in multi-color imaging applications, affecting the quality of microscopy images.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a multi-color microscope system that includes a dichroic filter to block overlapping wavelengths, a detector to receive non-overlapping wavelength ranges, and corrective elements like diffractive optical elements or adjustable lenses to focus different wavelengths on the same plane, reducing chromatic aberrations without increasing the system's size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multi-color imaging is performed in small microscope systems, then different cell populations and interactions can be studied, but image artifacts such as chromatic aberrations and noise from stray light are exaggerated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-color imaging capabilityVSAvoidimage artifacts and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A dichroic filter is introduced as an intermediary component in the optical path to separate different wavelength ranges. The filter reflects excitation light to the sample while transmitting emission light to the detector, effectively blocking stray light and preventing chromatic aberrations without compromising multi-color imaging capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical path is segmented into distinct wavelength channels using the dichroic filter. Each channel handles specific excitation and emission wavelengths separately, allowing independent optimization of each wavelength range and reducing cross-contamination between channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the microscope system size is reduced, then portability and ease of use improve, but image artifacts such as chromatic aberrations and noise from stray light increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicroscope system sizeVSAvoidchromatic aberrations and stray light noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple optical functions are merged into a single dichroic filter component. The filter simultaneously performs excitation light reflection, emission light transmission, and stray light blocking, eliminating the need for separate components and maintaining compact system size while reducing image artifacts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dichroic filter's optical parameters (reflectance and transmittance characteristics) are specifically designed to change based on wavelength. The filter reflects shorter excitation wavelengths while transmitting longer emission wavelengths, dynamically separating wavelength ranges without physical moving parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively minimizes image artifacts and noise, allowing for high-resolution, multi-color imaging within small microscope systems without compromising their compact size or performance.

Implementation Method 1

a dichroic filter configured to block light in at least two ranges of wavelengths such that light that passes through the dichroic filter (1) does not have a wavelength that overlaps with a wavelength of light that reaches the sample via the first light directing arrangement, and (2) does not have a wavelength that overlaps with a wavelength of light that reaches the sample via the second light directing arrangement, regardless of angle of incidence of light emission from the sample on the dichroic filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDichroic filtering: Dichroic Filter

Implementation Method 2

a detector configured to receive at least two non-overlapping wavelength ranges of the light emission from the sample generated in response to (1) the light directed through the first light directing arrangement, or (2) the light directed through the second light directing arrangement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence detection: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20240385423A1Systems and methods for color imaging

Publication Date: 2024.11.21 BRUKER NANO INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for multi-color imaging using a microscope system. The microscope system can have a relatively small size as compared to an average microscope system. The microscope system can include various components configured to reduce or eliminate image artifacts such as chromatic aberrations and/or noise from stray light that can occur during multi-color imaging. The components can be configured to reduce or eliminate the image artifacts, and/or noise without substantially changing the size of the microscope system.