Immersion Microscope Objective Aberration Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscope objectives with large numerical apertures face challenges in achieving high resolution and minimizing background noise in total internal reflection fluorescence observation due to limitations in refractive index and aberration correction, particularly in maintaining image quality with varying cover glass thickness and temperature.
Innovation Solution
The design of an immersion microscope objective comprising a first lens group with a cemented lens and positive single lenses, a second lens group that changes divergent to convergent bundles of rays, and a third lens group with concave surfaces facing each other, satisfying specific refractive index and curvature conditional expressions to enhance numerical aperture and correct aberrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microscope objective with large numerical aperture is used to achieve high resolution and reduce background noise in total internal reflection fluorescence observation, then the resolution and signal-to-noise ratio are improved, but spherical aberration and chromatic aberration increase, degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The microscope objective is divided into three lens groups with specific functions: the first lens group (including cemented lens and positive single lenses) for initial ray convergence, the second lens group for changing divergent to convergent bundles, and the third lens group with concave surfaces for aberration correction. This segmentation allows each group to address specific optical challenges independently while working together to achieve both high resolution and aberration correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies specific conditional expressions to control refractive indices and curvature radii of lens surfaces. By precisely adjusting these parameters (e.g., conditional expression (1) involving refractive indices n0 and n1o, and conditional expression (2) involving curvature radii r1c and r1i), the objective achieves optimal balance between numerical aperture and aberration correction, resolving the contradiction between resolution and image quality.
2Measurement precision
If the numerical aperture is increased to narrow the evanescent light permeation area and reduce background noise, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the complexity of the optical system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lens functions are merged into a coordinated three-group structure. The first, second, and third lens groups work together to simultaneously achieve high numerical aperture, aberration correction, and controlled evanescent light permeation area. This merging approach achieves multiple objectives without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the lens groups are integrated rather than separate components.
3Measurement precision
If conventional lens designs are used to achieve large numerical aperture, then the resolution is improved, but the performance becomes sensitive to variations in cover glass thickness and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
Each lens group is designed with specific local characteristics optimized for particular functions. The first lens group has specific refractive index requirements (conditional expression (1)), the second lens group focuses on ray convergence (conditional expression (2)), and the third lens group with concave surfaces addresses aberration correction. This local optimization ensures that each component contributes to overall performance stability across varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite lens designs combining different lens types (cemented lenses, positive single lenses, meniscus lenses) with specific refractive indices and curvature characteristics. This composite approach creates an optical system that is less sensitive to environmental variations in cover glass thickness and temperature, as the combined lens structure compensates for such variations more effectively than single-lens designs.
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 a large numerical aperture while effectively correcting spherical and chromatic aberrations, enabling high-resolution observations with reduced background noise and maintaining performance across varying cover glass thickness and temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group, wherein the first lens group includes a first cemented lens, and at least one positive single lens, and the second lens group includes a second cemented lens, and changes a divergent bundle of rays to a convergent bundle of rays
Implementation Method 2
a surface nearest to an image side of the first lens component is a concave surface directed toward the image side, and a surface nearest to the object side of the second lens component is a concave surface directed toward the object side
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope objective comprises in order from an object side, a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group. The first lens group includes a first cemented lens, and at least one positive single lens, the second lens group includes a second cemented lens, and the third lens group includes a first lens component and a second lens component. A positive lens and a meniscus lens are cemented in the first cemented lens. A surface nearest to an image side of the first lens component is a concave surface, and a surface nearest to the object side of the second lens component is a concave surface. The first lens component and the second lens component are disposed such that the both concave surfaces are face-to-face, and the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied.0.5<(n0/n1o)/NAob<0.65 (1)