High-NA Microscope Objective with Infrared Apochromatic Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-magnification objectives with high numerical aperture are not feasible for low-magnification applications, as they are complex to design and do not provide apochromatic correction across a broad wavelength range, including the infrared region, which is essential for modern imaging techniques.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging system for microscopes comprising an objective with a magnification of less than or equal to 40× and a numerical aperture of greater than or equal to 1.0, featuring specific lens configurations such as cemented doublets and triplets, menisci, and a tube lens unit for chromatic correction up to the infrared region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high numerical aperture is provided in a low-magnification objective, then the resolving capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases and apochromatic correction across broad wavelength range becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The objective is divided into multiple lens groups (first lens group, second lens group, third lens group, fourth lens group) with specific functions. Each group is designed to handle particular wavelength ranges or optical corrections, enabling the system to achieve high resolving capacity while managing complexity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The objective employs composite lens designs including cemented doublets and triplets with specific glass types (e.g., fluor crown glass, CaF2, short flint glass) combined in particular configurations. These composite structures enable apochromatic correction across broad wavelength ranges while maintaining high numerical aperture, resolving the contradiction between performance and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If traditional high-aperture objectives are designed for high magnification, then the resolving capacity is improved, but they cannot be used for low-magnification applications with large object fields
Solution Approach 1:
The objective is designed to be universally applicable across different magnification ranges (low to high) while maintaining high numerical aperture and apochromatic correction. The lens configuration allows the same objective to serve multiple functions in different imaging applications, eliminating the need for separate objectives for different magnification needs.
3Ease of operation
If visual observation is used in microscopes, then the simplicity of the system is maintained, but the resolving capacity cannot be fully exploited due to limited human eye resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The objective is designed as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between simple visual observation systems and complex digital imaging systems. It provides high resolving capacity and apochromatic correction that can be utilized by both direct visual observation and digital imaging channels, enabling full exploitation of the objective's capabilities through post-magnification in digital applications.
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 a high-aperture optical imaging system with a large image field and apochromatic correction, simplifying the design for low-magnification objectives and enhancing the resolving capacity for applications like two-photon microscopy.
Implementation Method 1
The objective comprises a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group and a fourth lens group, wherein the first lens group comprises a first cemented doublet and a second cemented doublet, wherein the second lens group comprises a cemented triplet and a second cemented doublet
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a high-aperture optical imaging system, particularly for microscopes, which comprises an objective and a tube lens unit and in which the objective has a magnification of less than or equal to 40× and a numerical aperture of greater than or equal to 1.0 and is chromatically corrected up to the infrared.