Microscope Illumination Relay Optical System Aberration Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional imaging technologies for biological tissues using two-photon microscopes face challenges such as vibration, time consumption, and optical performance deterioration due to the size and weight of high-numerical-aperture objectives, which are exacerbated when focusing is moved.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device with a relay optical system that corrects aberrations generated by moving the focusing position, allowing for high-speed focus adjustment without physical structure movement, using a scanning device and a relay optical system configured between the scanning device and the objective to maintain optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the objective is moved in the optical-axis direction to achieve three-dimensional imaging, then the imaging depth can be adjusted, but vibration is generated and the imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical movement of the heavy objective lens with a mirror that reflects light to change the focal position. This optical approach allows rapid focus adjustment without the inertia and vibration problems associated with moving massive optical components mechanically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mirror as an intermediary element between the light source and the specimen. By moving the mirror instead of the objective, the system achieves focus adjustment while avoiding the direct mechanical displacement of the heavy objective lens, thus reducing vibration and imaging time.
2Speed
If the objective is moved in the optical-axis direction to adjust focus, then the imaging depth can be changed, but vibration is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical movement of the objective lens with optical redirection using a mirror. This eliminates the vibration caused by accelerating and decelerating heavy optical components, enabling faster focus adjustment without harmful vibrations affecting the specimen or image quality.
3Measurement precision
If a high-numerical-aperture objective is used to observe specimens with brightness and high resolving power, then the image quality is improved, but the objective becomes relatively large in size and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mirror as an intermediary to change the focal position without moving the heavy high-numerical-aperture objective. This allows the system to maintain the resolving power and brightness provided by the stationary objective while achieving focus adjustment through light reflection, thus avoiding the need to move the massive optical component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical focusing mechanism (moving the objective) with an optical mechanism (mirror reflection). This substitution maintains the high resolving power of the stationary objective while eliminating the need to move its large mass, thereby solving the contradiction between image quality and objective weight.
4Speed
If the focusing position is moved by a scanning device, then the focus can be adjusted, but aberration is generated in the objective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay optical system as an intermediary between the scanning device and the objective. This relay system compensates for the aberrations introduced by the scanning device's movement, thereby maintaining high optical performance while enabling rapid focus adjustment through the scanning mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a relay optical system that dynamically adjusts optical parameters (such as beam position and angle) to compensate for aberrations. By changing these parameters in response to the scanning device's position, the system maintains optimal optical performance throughout the focus adjustment range.
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-speed focus movement while suppressing optical performance deterioration, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies by maintaining image quality during three-dimensional imaging of biological tissues.
Implementation Method 1
a relay optical system that is configured to correct an aberration that is generated in the objective by the first scanning device moving the focusing position
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device includes: an objective; a first scanning device that moves a focusing position of light in an optical-axis direction of the objective; and a relay optical system that is configured to correct an aberration that is generated in the objective by the first scanning device moving the focusing position, the relay optical system being arranged on an optical path between the first scanning device and the objective.