Light Modulator Element for Super-Resolution Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light modulator elements struggle to accurately align the polarization plane of incident linear polarization light with the liquid crystal molecules, leading to inadequate correction of wave front aberration and suboptimal super-resolution effects, especially when using shorter wavelengths like violet or ultra-violet light.
Innovation Solution
A light modulator element with a rotation mechanism that adjusts the liquid crystal molecules to coincide with the polarization plane of incident linear polarization light, utilizing phase reversal and polarization plane rotation elements to convert linear polarization to radial polarization, thereby achieving precise alignment and correcting wave front aberration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a light source emitting shorter wavelength light (violet or ultra-violet) is used to reduce beam spot size, then the beam spot diameter decreases, but the light transmittance of optical materials becomes lower and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the polarization state parameter of the light from linear polarization to radial polarization. This parameter change enables the light to achieve a smaller focused spot size and deeper focal depth without requiring shorter wavelengths, thus avoiding the transmittance loss and cost issues associated with violet or ultra-violet light sources.
2Measurement precision
If the polarization plane of incident linear polarization light is not aligned with the liquid crystal molecules, then the light modulator element cannot achieve proper wave front aberration correction, but achieving accurate alignment is difficult without a reference marker
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the light modulator element to self-align by incorporating a polarization plane reference marker that provides visual feedback during alignment adjustment. The user can directly observe the alignment status through the marker and adjust the liquid crystal molecule orientation accordingly, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The polarization plane reference marker acts as an intermediary between the incident linear polarization light and the liquid crystal molecules. It provides a visual reference that mediates the alignment process, allowing the user to accurately match the polarization plane with the liquid crystal molecule orientation without requiring direct measurement or complex instrumentation.
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 solution enables the achievement of super-resolution by accurately aligning the polarization plane, allowing for a smaller focused spot size and improved focal depth, even with shorter wavelengths, while correcting wave front aberration in optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light modulator element having a liquid crystal element in which alignment direction of liquid crystal molecules contained in a liquid crystal layer is parallel to a polarization plane of actually incident linear polarization light
Implementation Method 2
convert the linear polarization light to radial polarization light
Implementation Method 3
the minimum size of the beam spot is determined by the diffraction limit, and is proportional to the wavelength of light
Implementation Method 4
by focusing radial polarization with an objective lens, a light beam focused on the focal plane becomes z-polarized light, and the light beam can be focused with a spot size smaller than the spot size of X- or Y-polarized light determined by the diffraction limit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A light modulator element includes a first liquid crystal element which has a first liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules aligned along a first direction, and two first transparent electrodes disposed in opposition to each other with the first liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween, and which controls the phase of linear polarization light with a prescribed wavelength emitted from a light source and passing through said first liquid crystal layer by applying an electric voltage in accordance with said prescribed wavelength between said two first transparent electrodes; a polarizer plate which is disposed between said light source and said first liquid crystal element and which has the transmission axis along the first direction of the first liquid crystal element or along a direction orthogonal to said first direction; and a rotation mechanism which supports the first liquid crystal element and the polarizer plate and which rotates the first liquid crystal element and the polarizer plate integrally in one unit with the optical axis of the first liquid crystal element as the rotation axis.