Focus Position Changing Apparatus Anti-Reflection Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional focus position changing apparatuses in confocal optical systems suffer from excessive light beam reflection by the rotating body, which reduces imaging efficiency due to high reflectance surfaces required for flatness and precision.
Innovation Solution
A focus position changing apparatus with a rotating plate and optical path changing pieces, where an anti-reflection layer is applied to the surface facing the light source to minimize light reflection, and optical path changing pieces are arranged along the rotation direction to control the focus position of the objective lens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the surface of the rotating body is polished to high flatness to prevent focus position deviation, then the flatness is improved, but the reflectance becomes very high causing increased light beam reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful reflection effect into a beneficial one by intentionally designing reflective portions on the rotating body. These reflective portions are strategically positioned to reflect light beams away from the confocal imaging system's optical path, thereby eliminating the harmful reflection interference while maintaining the high surface flatness needed for precise focus control.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating body is designed with non-uniform surface properties: some regions have high reflectance (reflective portions) while other regions have low reflectance. This local differentiation allows specific areas to perform the function of redirecting light beams away from the optical path, while other areas maintain the flatness required for precise optical path control without causing harmful reflections.
2Productivity
If a rotating body is used to change focus position at high speed, then the focus changing speed is improved, but light beams are reflected by the rotating body reducing imaging efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the harmful light reflection caused by the rotating body into a useful function. By designing specific reflective portions on the rotating body, the system utilizes the rotation-induced reflection to actively direct light beams away from the confocal imaging path, thereby converting what was previously a harmful interference into a beneficial mechanism for light path control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a rotating body to dynamically control the optical path and achieve high-speed focus changes. The rotation of the body allows different regions (with different reflectance properties) to enter and exit the optical path dynamically, enabling rapid focus position adjustment while the reflective portions continuously redirect stray light away from the imaging system.
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 configuration allows for precise and high-speed focus position control while reducing unwanted light reflections, enhancing imaging quality by suppressing light beams reflected from the rotating body.
Implementation Method 1
an anti-reflection layer is formed in a predetermined region on a surface of the rotating plate on a side of the light source
Implementation Method 2
Each of the plurality of optical path changing pieces is formed of a parallel plate-shaped transparent body and is differ from each other in at least one of a refractive index and a thickness
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a focus position changing apparatus is provided on an optical path of a confocal optical apparatus having a light source and an objective lens and is configured to change a focus position of the objective lens in an optical axis direction of the objective lens. The focus position changing apparatus includes at least a plurality of optical path changing pieces and a rotating plate. Each of the plurality of optical path changing pieces is differ from each other in at least one of a refractive index and a thickness. On the rotating plate, the plurality of optical path changing pieces is arranged along a rotation direction of the rotating plate so as to cross an optical axis of the objective lens. And an anti-reflection layer is formed in a predetermined region on a surface of the rotating plate on a side of the light source.