Dichroic Optical Member for Fluorescence Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In scanning microscopes, the fluorescence generated from samples is weakened by half when passing through beam combining and splitting mirrors, resulting in dark and blurred observation images during fluorescent observation.
Innovation Solution
An optical member that reflects and transmits light at specific wavelengths, allowing stimulation and excitation light to be combined and irradiated from different directions, with dichroic mirrors used to split and combine light while reflecting or transmitting fluorescence to enhance image brightness and clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If beam combining and splitting mirrors are used to combine stimulation and excitation light, then the light paths can be combined and irradiated onto the sample, but the fluorescence generated from the sample is reduced by half and weakened each time it passes through these mirrors
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into separate stimulation light path and excitation light path that operate independently. The stimulation light and excitation light are delivered to the sample through separate optical channels, avoiding the need for beam combining mirrors that would attenuate the fluorescence signal.
Solution Approach 2:
A single optical path is designed to perform multiple functions: delivering both stimulation light and excitation light to the sample, and collecting fluorescence from the sample without requiring separate beam combining and splitting operations. This universal optical path eliminates the fluorescence attenuation problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If beam splitting half-mirror is used to split laser beam into stimulation and excitation light, then the light can be divided for different purposes, but the fluorescence signal becomes dark and blurred due to insufficient light quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system uses separate optical paths for stimulation and excitation light delivery, eliminating the need for beam splitting mirrors. This segmentation allows each light path to be optimized independently while maintaining full fluorescence signal intensity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple mirrors are used for beam combining and splitting, then light can be directed along different paths, but the fluorescence signal is weakened and image brightness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stimulation light path and excitation light path are merged into a single optical channel that delivers both lights to the sample and collects fluorescence without requiring intermediate beam combining or splitting mirrors, thereby preserving signal intensity.
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 approach results in brighter and sharper observation images by conserving the light quantity of fluorescence, preventing discoloration of the sample and improving image quality during fluorescent observation.
Implementation Method 1
An optical member of the present invention reflects a part of first light having a first wavelength that has entered, and transmits the part of first light
Implementation Method 2
transmits the part of first light, whereby the first light is split at a predetermined ratio
Implementation Method 3
with the second wavelength of the second light being different from the first wavelength of the first light
Implementation Method 4
the stimulation light and the excitation light which have entered from different directions are combined and are irradiated onto the sample
Implementation Method 5
approximately all the fluorescence generated by the irradiation of the excitation light onto the sample is reflected or transmitted
Data Source
AI summary
An optical member and a microscope that allow acquiring brighter and sharper images when fluorescent observation is performed while stimulating a sample with light. Illumination light from a laser unit is split into stimulation light and excitation light by a dichroic mirror. In other words, half of the illumination light is transmitted through the dichroic mirror and becomes the stimulation light, and half of the illumination light is reflected by the dichroic mirror and becomes the excitation light. Half of the excitation light is reflected by a dichroic mirror and is irradiated onto a sample, and half of the stimulation light transmits through the dichroic mirror and is irradiated onto the sample. Fluorescence generated from the sample is totally reflected by the dichroic mirror and the dichroic mirror, and is received by a photodetector.