Immersion Objective Aperture Control for Liquid Sample Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopy methods face limitations in generating high-speed overview images of samples in liquid environments due to drag forces disrupting the immersion film when using immersion objectives, and switching to dry objectives reduces image quality and requires refractive-index adaptation.
Innovation Solution
A microscope with an optical system featuring an immersion objective and a processor that controls an aperture stop to set a reduced numerical aperture in an immersion-free imaging mode, allowing for high-quality overview imaging without an immersion medium, thus preventing film disruption and enabling fast imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an immersion objective is used for creating overview images, then high numerical aperture and good spherical correction are achieved, but the immersion film is disrupted due to drag forces caused by relative motion between the sample carrier and front lens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the refractive index parameter by introducing a matching layer between the immersion objective and the aqueous sample. This matching layer has a refractive index that is adapted to both the immersion medium and the aqueous environment, allowing the immersion objective to function properly in both high-resolution and overview imaging modes without film disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a matching layer as an intermediary component between the immersion objective and the sample. This matching layer acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between maintaining immersion film integrity and enabling high-speed imaging by providing a transition medium with appropriate refractive index properties.
2Productivity
If a dry objective is used for generating overview images, then immersion film disruption is avoided, but the objective is not refractive-index adapted for high numerical aperture imaging in liquid environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the immersion objective multi-functional by enabling it to perform both high-resolution imaging with immersion medium and high-speed overview imaging in aqueous environment. The matching layer allows the single objective to adapt to different imaging requirements without switching between dry and immersion objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The matching layer enables dynamic adjustment of optical parameters by providing a refractive index transition that allows the immersion objective to maintain optimal performance across different imaging modes and environmental conditions.
3Ease of operation
If the working distance between the front lens and sample is large, then ease of operation is improved, but the velocity of relative motion must be limited to prevent film disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The matching layer serves as an intermediary that decouples the relationship between working distance and imaging speed. By providing a refractive index transition zone, it allows larger working distances to be maintained without proportionally limiting the velocity of relative motion, as the matching layer protects against film disruption.
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 and high-quality overview imaging of samples in liquid environments without the need for refractive-index adaptation, maintaining image quality and avoiding the limitations of immersion film disruption.
Implementation Method 1
the processor is configured to control the aperture stop in the immersion-free imaging mode to set a numerical aperture of the immersion objective to a reduced value
Implementation Method 2
an optical system comprising an immersion objective which is configured for an immersion medium of a predetermined refractive index
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope includes: an optical system including an immersion objective for an immersion medium of a predetermined refractive index; an aperture stop; and a processor for setting an immersion-free imaging mode in which the optical system is operated without immersion medium. The processor controls the aperture stop in the immersion-free imaging mode to set a numerical aperture of the immersion objective to a reduced value which is lower than a nominal value of the numerical aperture, the numerical aperture being equal to the nominal value when the optical system is operated using the immersion medium without reducing the numerical aperture by the aperture stop. The processor controls the optical system in accordance with the reduced value of the numerical aperture in the immersion-free imaging mode to generate at least one image representing the overview image of the sample.