Light Guided Pixel With Wavelength Selective Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorescence microscopes suffer from reduced image resolution due to diffraction, interference, and scattering of weak fluorescence signals within thick filters used to separate excitation and emission light, which degrades the quality of fluorescence images.
Innovation Solution
A light guided pixel system with a guide layer containing light guides, such as a metal grid, over a light detector layer, like a CMOS image sensor, where each light guide channels light towards a corresponding detector element and includes a filter to reject excitation light and pass emissions, improving resolution by confining the light signal and reducing overlap between neighboring detectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a thick filter is used to separate excitation and emission light, then the filter can effectively block excitation light, but the diffraction, interference, and scattering of weak emission signals within the filter degrade image resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filtering function from a thick bulk filter and implements it through thin film wavelength selective filter materials deposited directly on the detector surface. This extraction allows the system to achieve effective excitation light blocking while minimizing the path length through which emission signals can undergo diffraction, interference, and scattering, thereby preserving image resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film wavelength selective filter materials (such as dielectric multilayer films) instead of thick bulk filters. These thin films provide the necessary optical filtering while reducing the physical thickness through which fluorescence emissions must pass, thereby minimizing degradation of image resolution caused by diffraction, interference, and scattering effects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional absorptive dyes are used in thick filters, then excitation light can be blocked, but the attenuation coefficients require thick filter sections that increase signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and optical parameters of the filter by transitioning from conventional absorptive dyes in thick sections to thin film wavelength selective filter materials. These thin films have optimized optical properties that provide high excitation light attenuation with minimal thickness, eliminating the need for thick filter sections that would otherwise be required when using conventional absorptive dyes.
3Measurement precision
If a guide layer with light guides is added over the detector layer, then light channeling improves resolution, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filter and light guide functions into an integrated structure where the thin film wavelength selective filter material is deposited directly on the detector surface, and the guide layer with light guides is formed over the filter layer. This merging reduces the number of separate components and interfaces, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining the resolution benefits of light channeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide layer structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a light guide to channel fluorescence emissions to the detector, provides structural support, and when combined with the thin film filter, creates an integrated optical path management system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity.
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 system enhances image resolution by channeling light signals effectively, allowing for high-resolution bright-field and fluorescence imaging even with additional layers, such as filters, and provides a compact imaging platform for biological samples.
Implementation Method 1
Each light guide channels light toward a corresponding light detecting element(s) in the light detector layer
Implementation Method 2
Each light guide may include a filter for channeling emissions to the light detecting element(s)
Implementation Method 3
A fluorophore can absorb energy from excitation light of a specific wavelength(s) and re-emit the energy at a different wavelength(s)
Data Source
AI summary
A light guided pixel having a guide layer and a light detector layer. The guide layer has a light guide. The light detector layer has a light detecting element that receives light channeled by the light guide. The light guide may include a filter for channeling emissions to the light detecting element.