Light Sheet Microscope Wavelength Scanning for Stable Observation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light sheet microscopes face challenges in achieving stable and high-speed observation due to potential sample shaking and limitations in scanning speed, which are exacerbated by the need to move or rotate the sample stage or holder.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wavelength sweep light source, spectroscopic element, and cylindrical lens to scan the excitation light's irradiation position without physically moving the sample, allowing for stable and high-speed observation by varying the wavelength and emission angle of the excitation light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the holder or stage is moved or rotated to scan the excitation light irradiation position, then the scanning function is achieved, but the sample may shake and stable observation cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the sample stage or holder to scan the excitation light, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the sample stationary and scanning the excitation light through wavelength modulation. The spectroscopic element disperses light by wavelength, and the cylindrical lens focuses different wavelengths at different positions along the sample, achieving spatial scanning without mechanical movement of the sample holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical scanning system (motors, stages, holders) with an optical scanning system using wavelength-modulated light. The excitation light source emits light at varying wavelengths, which are then dispersed by the spectroscopic element and focused by the cylindrical lens to scan across the sample optically, eliminating mechanical movement and associated instability.
2Productivity
If the holder moving speed is increased to achieve high-speed observation, then the scanning speed improves, but the sample shaking problem worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning with optical scanning through wavelength modulation. The excitation light source rapidly modulates wavelength to scan across the sample, eliminating the need for fast mechanical movement of holders or stages. This optical approach achieves high-speed scanning without the inertia and vibration problems of mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic wavelength modulation of the excitation light source to achieve scanning. The wavelength of the excitation light changes continuously over time, creating a dynamic optical scanning effect that replaces static mechanical positioning. This dynamic optical approach enables high-speed scanning without mechanical constraints.
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 stable and high-speed sample observation without sample movement, improving scanning speed and stability compared to traditional methods, while maintaining accurate detection of detection light.
Implementation Method 1
a wavelength sweep light source which outputs light of which a wavelength changes with time as the excitation light
Implementation Method 2
a spectroscopic element into which the excitation light output from the wavelength sweep light source is incident and which emits the excitation light at an emission angle corresponding to a wavelength of the excitation light
Implementation Method 3
a relay optical system which includes a cylindrical lens into which the excitation light emitted from the spectroscopic element is incident at an incident angle corresponding to the emission angle
Implementation Method 4
a first objective lens which condenses the excitation light guided by the relay optical system and irradiates the sample with the excitation light having a sheet shape
Implementation Method 5
a photodetector which detects the detection light guided by the detection optical system
Data Source
AI summary
A light sheet microscope includes an irradiation optical system, a detection optical system, and a photodetector. The irradiation optical system includes a wavelength sweep light source which outputs light of which a wavelength changes with time as excitation light, a spectroscopic element on which the excitation light output from the wavelength sweep light source is incident and which emits the excitation light at an emission angle corresponding to a wavelength of the excitation light, a relay optical system which includes a cylindrical lens on which the excitation light emitted from the spectroscopic element is incident at an incident angle corresponding to the emission angle, and a first objective lens which condenses the excitation light guided by the relay optical system and irradiates the sample with the excitation light having a sheet shape.