Freeform Optical Shaping Element for Flow Cytometer Beam Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow cytometers face challenges in achieving a compact, cost-effective, and easily assembled optical system that can produce a light beam with the desired intensity and spatial profile for high-resolution, high-sensitivity, and high-throughput applications.
Innovation Solution
The optical system comprises a light source, an optical main axis, and an optical shaping element with a first freeform surface that shapes the light beam to have a flat-top profile along one axis and a Gaussian profile along another axis, allowing for uniform irradiation and high-resolution cell analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a diffractive optical device or combination of non-diffractive optical devices is used to shape the laser beam, then the light beam can approximately satisfy or satisfy the requirements for high-resolution, high-sensitivity, and high-throughput applications, but the assembly becomes complex and the volume of the optical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (beam shaping, focusing, and profile control) into a single integrated optical element. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate diffractive and non-diffractive optical devices, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the ability to produce precise flat-top and Gaussian light beam profiles required for high-resolution, high-sensitivity, and high-throughput flow cytometry applications
2Shape
If auxiliary optics are added to the system to improve light beam shaping, then the light beam profile requirements are met, but the assembly becomes more complex and the instrument volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple optical functions into a single element, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary optics. This single integrated element produces both the flat-top profile along the first axis and Gaussian profile along the second axis, thereby meeting the light beam shape requirements while minimizing the optical system volume
3Measurement precision
If a laser beam with narrow light intensity profile and high center intensity is used, then high resolution is achieved, but uniform light irradiation across the flow channel cross section becomes difficult to obtain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical profiles along different axes to achieve both high resolution and uniform irradiation. Specifically, a flat-top profile is produced along the first axis (perpendicular to the optical main axis) to provide uniform light irradiation across the flow channel cross section, while a Gaussian profile is produced along the second axis (parallel to the optical main axis) to maintain high center intensity and narrow profile for high resolution. This anisotropic approach allows simultaneous optimization of both requirements
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 enables uniform light irradiation across the flow channel, allowing cells to deviate from the central axis without signal degradation, and significantly increases detection throughput and resolution in flow cytometers.
Implementation Method 1
an optical shaping element with a first freeform surface that shapes the light beam
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system is provided which comprises: a light source (1) for emitting light beam; an optical main axis; an optical shaping element (2) for shaping a light beam facing the light source (1) and directly adjacent to the light source (1), wherein the optical shaping element (2) includes a first freeform surface facing the light source (1), the light beam is shaped by means of the first freeform surface of the optical shaping element (2) in such a way that light intensity of the light beam has a flat-top profile on a first axis which is perpendicular to the optical main axis. With this optical system, a desirable light intensity profile can be achieved by using only a single optical element. Moreover, a flow cytometer including this optical system is provided.