Evanescent Field Waveguide Super-Resolution Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluorescence microscopy, particularly in DNA sequencing, is limited by the diffraction limit, leading to low resolution and the need for bulky and expensive optical setups, which restricts its use in smaller laboratories and hospital settings.
Innovation Solution
A compact imaging apparatus using an illumination waveguide with total internal reflection to create an evanescent field for selective illumination, combined with an array of light-sensitive areas on a common substrate, allows for controlled interference patterns to achieve super-resolution imaging without bulky optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If super-resolution techniques are used to improve resolution beyond the diffraction limit, then imaging resolution is improved, but the optical setup becomes bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of super-resolution imaging by removing bulky optical components. It uses a planar waveguide with evanescent field illumination to achieve super-resolution without requiring complex microscope optics, thereby maintaining high resolution while simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical optical systems with a planar photonic integrated circuit. The waveguide-based evanescent field illumination substitutes for traditional high-numerical-aperture objective lenses, achieving super-resolution through optical field confinement rather than mechanical optical components
2Device complexity
If traditional fluorescence microscopy is used, then the setup is simpler, but resolution is limited by the diffraction limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by confining the evanescent field illumination to a specific region near the waveguide surface. This localized illumination approach enables super-resolution imaging in the immediate vicinity of the waveguide while maintaining system simplicity, effectively improving resolution without requiring complex global optical systems
3Area of stationary object
If the field of view is increased to image larger objects, then more of the object can be visualized, but resolution decreases due to the diffraction limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional wide-field illumination to two-dimensional planar waveguide-based evanescent field illumination. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve super-resolution across an extended field of view by confining light propagation to the planar waveguide structure, effectively decoupling field of view from resolution limitations
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 high-resolution imaging with a compact setup, allowing for detailed visualization of densely arranged objects like DNA sequences, facilitating use in smaller laboratories and reducing costs by eliminating the need for complex optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination waveguide, which is configured to propagate one or more light waves by total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
wherein an evanescent field of the propagated light wave is configured to illuminate an object in close relation to the illumination waveguide
Implementation Method 3
a controller, which is configured to control forming of an interference pattern in the illumination waveguide by the one or more light waves being propagated therein
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
An imaging apparatus (100) comprises: an illumination waveguide (110) configured to propagate light by total internal reflection, wherein an evanescent field illuminates an object in close relation to the illumination waveguide (110); an array (120) of light-sensitive areas (122) arranged on a common substrate (102) with said illumination waveguide (110) for detecting light from the object; and a controller (140) configured to control forming of an interference pattern (104) in the illumination waveguide (110), wherein the interference pattern (104) comprises at least one element (106) of constructive interference for selectively illuminating a portion of the object, the at least one element (106) having a dimension with a size in a range of 100 nm - 10 µm; wherein the controller (140) is configured to sequentially change the interference pattern (104) in relation to the object such that different portions are illuminated and light from different portions is sequentially detected.