Compact X-ray Microscope Using Folded KB Mirror Optical Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional X-ray microscopes are too large to be easily transported and used in various scientific fields, requiring specialized facilities due to their size exceeding two to three meters.
Innovation Solution
The X-ray microscope design includes an X-ray source, a sample holding part, a concave mirror, a convex mirror, and a light receiving part, arranged in a specific order to reduce the rear-side focal distance while maintaining magnification, allowing the microscope to be compact enough to be brought into a room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional X-ray microscope design is used, then high resolution imaging is achieved, but the device size becomes too large (exceeding two to three meters) to be easily transported and used in various scientific fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a folding optical system where the optical path is folded back on itself using mirrors, effectively changing the spatial arrangement from a linear extended path to a compact folded path. This allows the optical path length to remain long (for high resolution) while the physical device footprint is reduced to fit within a room-sized enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are arranged in a nested configuration where the folded optical path allows components to be positioned within the spatial envelope of other components. The light receiving part is positioned to receive light after multiple reflections, creating a compact nested arrangement that reduces the overall device length while maintaining the necessary optical path length.
2Measurement precision
If the optical path is extended to achieve high resolution imaging, then measurement precision improves, but the device becomes too large for practical use in various scientific facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is folded using mirrors arranged at specific angles, transforming a long linear optical path into a compact three-dimensional folded path. This allows the effective optical path length to be extended for high resolution while the physical length of the device remains compact enough for room installation.
3Ease of operation
If a compact design is implemented to reduce device size, then ease of transportation and installation improves, but achieving high resolution imaging becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable mirror mounts and positioning mechanisms that allow the optical path to be dynamically adjusted and aligned. This enables the compact folded optical system to achieve and maintain the precise alignment necessary for high resolution imaging, while keeping the physical device size compact for easy transportation and installation.
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 enables a compact X-ray microscope with a reduced rear-side focal distance, making it widely usable in various scientific fields without the need for large facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a concave mirror having a reflection concave surface and being curved only in one direction, a convex mirror having a reflection convex surface and being curved only in one direction... an X-ray having transmitted through the sample holding part is reflected at, in the following order, the reflection concave surface of the another concave mirror, the reflection convex surface of the another convex mirror
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide an X-ray microscope that has a size small enough to be brought into a room by shortening the path length, an X-ray microscope including at least one of each of an X-ray source 1, a sample holding part 3, a concave KB mirror 4, a convex KB mirror 5, and a light receiving part 8 located at a position in an imaging relation to a position of the sample holding part 3 in this order along an optical axis is fabricated.