Autofocusing Microscope Objective With Liquid Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscope objectives face challenges in rapid and precise autofocusing, especially when introducing plano-optical components into the beam path, leading to increased aberrations and the need for mechanical adjustments, which are slow and unsuitable for applications requiring quick focusing.
Innovation Solution
An autofocusable microscope objective with a liquid lens that adjusts the focal plane by varying its refractive power between −2.2 and +2.2 diopters, allowing for precise and fast autofocusing without mechanical movement of optical components, and is designed to maintain imaging quality across a wide range of wave-optical depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If plano-optical components are introduced into the beam path of a microscope objective, then filtering or polarization functions are added, but the intermediate image plane shifts and aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the filter disk holder directly into the objective lens structure, nesting the filtering function within the optical path without requiring separate intermediate tubes. This integration allows filters to be positioned at the pupil plane where they do not cause image plane shifts, resolving the contradiction between adding filtering functionality and maintaining image plane stability.
2Extent of automation
If classical refocusing using piezoelectric actuators is used, then automated focusing is achieved, but the focusing speed becomes too slow for rapid applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical piezoelectric actuator system with a liquid lens that changes focal length through electrical control of liquid crystal or liquid material properties. This substitution eliminates mechanical movement components and enables much faster focusing speeds while maintaining automated control, resolving the contradiction between automation and speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If filters are introduced into the convergent optical path, then wavelength selection is improved, but aberrations increase and microscope function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the filter disk at the pupil plane before the light enters the convergent optical path. By placing filters at this preliminary position where light rays are still parallel or less converged, the filters can perform wavelength selection without introducing significant aberrations that would occur if placed in the highly convergent path, thus maintaining microscope function while enabling wavelength selection.
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 rapid and precise autofocusing over a range of +/−20 to +/−25 wave-optical depths with minimal aberrations, maintaining high imaging quality and reducing the need for mechanical adjustments, thus addressing the limitations of traditional focusing methods.
Implementation Method 1
focusing in the range of at least +/−20 wave-optical depths of field is effected by a refractive power variation of the liquid lens in the range between −2.2 and +2.2 diopters
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an autofocusable microscope objective having an optical system of a plurality of optical components each formed by a lens or lens group. Here, one of the plurality of optical components is a liquid lens to effect autofocusing of the microscope objective, and the optical system is formed as a stationary system.