Flexible Near Field Optical Imaging Device with Dynamic Nano Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nano imaging techniques face limitations in large-area, high-speed, real-time imaging due to the need for precise gap maintenance and are unsuitable for curved surfaces, with restricted imaging areas and inability to perform in-vivo measurements without preprocessing, and they lack depth imaging capabilities and multi-wavelength information acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A near field optical imaging device with a flexible optical head featuring a thin film layer for dynamic optical nano apertures, allowing for adjustable near-field depth and flexible attachment to curved or flat surfaces, using multiple wavelengths and an anti-adhesion layer to prevent contamination, enabling high-resolution imaging across varying surface shapes and depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single near field optical probe is used, then measurement precision is maintained, but imaging area is limited and imaging speed is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single probe into multiple probes arranged in an array configuration. Each probe maintains the precise gap control capability of traditional single probes, while the collective array enables parallel imaging across larger areas, thereby increasing imaging speed without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point probe to a two-dimensional array of probes. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous measurement at multiple locations, converting a sequential single-point imaging process into a parallel multi-point imaging process, thus dramatically improving imaging speed and coverage area
2Area of stationary object
If multiple near field optical probes are connected in parallel, then imaging area is expanded, but uniform gap maintenance becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible substrate that allows the probe array to dynamically adapt its shape and conform to the measurement surface. This flexibility enables the entire array to maintain uniform gap distance across curved or irregular surfaces, solving the gap uniformity problem while preserving large-area imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible thin film substrate to support the probe array. This flexible substrate can be bent and shaped to match the contour of the measurement object, ensuring that all probes in the array maintain a consistent gap distance from the surface, thereby achieving both large-area coverage and uniform gap maintenance
3Measurement precision
If traditional near field imaging is used on curved surfaces, then measurement precision deteriorates, but the technique cannot be applied to in-vivo real-time imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible substrate that can be conformally attached to curved surfaces such as biological tissues. This flexibility allows the probe array to maintain uniform gap distance across the curved surface, enabling high-precision imaging on in-vivo samples without requiring flat surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible probe array can dynamically adapt its configuration to match the curvature of the measurement surface. This adaptability enables the system to maintain measurement precision across various surface geometries, including curved biological tissues, thereby achieving both precision and versatility
4Measurement precision
If preprocessing such as fixing and dying is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but the technique cannot observe living cells in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables direct imaging of living cells without requiring external preprocessing steps. The flexible probe array can be applied directly to biological samples in their native state, allowing real-time observation of living cells and tissues while maintaining imaging quality, thus eliminating the need for fixing or dying procedures
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, real-time imaging of large areas with adjustable depth and multi-wavelength information acquisition, overcoming the limitations of traditional nano imaging techniques by allowing flexible attachment and precise control over near-field generation, and preventing contamination and friction.
Implementation Method 1
an optical head with thin film layer for formation of dynamic optical nano apertures, combined with a measured object in one piece to generate a near field by a beam radiated from the light source
Implementation Method 2
the depth of the near field is adjusted by modifying the shape of the opening of the thin film layer for formation of dynamic optical nano apertures by adjusting the amount of the light radiated from the light source
Data Source
AI summary
A near field optical imaging device includes: a light source for radiating light of a far field optical system; and an optical head including thin film layer for formation of dynamic optical nano apertures, combined with a measured object in one piece to generate a near field by a beam radiated from the light source, in which the measured object can be scanned in a depth direction by adjusting a depth of the near field, and the depth of the near field is adjusted by modifying a shape of an opening of the thin film layer for formation of dynamic optical nano apertures by adjusting an amount of the light radiated from the light source.