High-Aperture Immersion Objective Lens Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-aperture immersion objectives for microscopy applications, particularly TIRF and confocal fluorescence microscopy, face challenges in achieving high numerical aperture and large object fields while maintaining transparency and minimizing veiling glare, which limits image brilliance and resolution.
Innovation Solution
A high-aperture immersion objective composed of three subsystems with specific lens configurations, including double and triple cemented elements, menisci, and diverging lenses made of specialized glasses like Fluorkron and calcium fluoride, optimized for semi-apochromatic performance with a numerical aperture of 1.49 and object field of 0.25 mm, enhancing transparency up to 340 nm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high numerical aperture is achieved through extreme aperture design, then resolution is improved, but veiling glare increases and image brilliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful veiling glare caused by high numerical aperture into a beneficial effect by strategically positioning aperture stops and using aspherical surfaces to redirect reflected light away from the optical path, transforming the glare that would normally degrade image quality into controlled light distribution that maintains both high resolution and image brilliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces aperture stops and aspherical surfaces as intermediary elements between the high numerical aperture lenses and the final image plane, which mediate the light paths to prevent veiling glare while preserving the resolving power of the high aperture design
2Illumination intensity
If high magnification is used to produce bright images from reflected light, then image brilliance is improved, but object field size decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by employing a moderate magnification range (40x-63x) combined with high numerical aperture (0.6-1.4) and optimized illumination pathways, allowing the system to achieve bright images without the extreme magnification that would otherwise be required, thereby preserving a larger object field
3Object-generated harmful factors
If extreme numerical aperture is designed to avoid lens edge reflections, then veiling glare is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into multiple lens groups with intermediate aperture stops positioned between them, which divides the control of veiling glare into manageable sections and reduces the cumulative alignment precision requirements compared to a single extreme aperture design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs aspherical surfaces in the lens elements, which provide inherent veiling glare reduction through their curved geometry that directs reflected light away from the optical path, while the aspherical profiles are designed with manufacturing tolerances that balance precision requirements with manufacturability
4Area of stationary object
If high aperture with smaller magnification is used for confocal applications, then object field size is improved, but image brilliance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the objective lens with universal applicability for both TIRF and confocal microscopy modes, achieving this through optimized glass materials with high transmission in the blue-violet range, precise numerical aperture control, and illumination pathway design that delivers sufficient intensity for confocal applications while maintaining large object field capability
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
The solution enables high-resolution imaging with improved transparency and reduced veiling glare, achieving a numerical aperture of 1.49 and a large object field, while maintaining image brilliance and resolution in both TIRF and confocal microscopy applications.
Implementation Method 1
the first subsystem comprises a double cemented element with a high positive refractive power and three following collecting lenses
Implementation Method 2
the triple cemented element including a third meniscus lens and a fourth meniscus lens and a third diverging lens
Implementation Method 3
triple cemented element with a low positive refractive power
Data Source
AI summary
A high-aperture immersion objective, in particular for confocal applications in fluorescence microscopy and for TIRF applications, having three subsystems of lenses and/or lens groups. The design of the subsystems has made it possible for a relatively large object field of 0.25 mm to be present in the case of a high-resolution numerical aperture of 1.49. Furthermore, improved transparency is possible up to a wavelength of 340 nm.