Microscope Aperture Limiter Using Liquid Crystal Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical pupil limiting systems in microscopes are inflexible, slow to adjust, and prone to mechanical stress and noise, limiting the ability to rapidly change aperture shapes and positions, which is essential for achieving high image quality and various microscopy modes.
Innovation Solution
A microscope with an electronically controllable aperture limiter in the pupil plane that can selectively generate multiple optical channels, allowing for flexible and rapid adjustment of aperture settings, including central and decentered modes, using a liquid crystal matrix or mechanically controlled segments to enable high image quality and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical pupil limiting systems (aperture stop, iris diaphragm) are used, then the pupil can be limited to a predefined shape, but the adjustment is slow and mechanically complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pupil limiting systems (aperture stops, iris diaphragms) with an electronically controllable liquid crystal shutter matrix. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts while enabling flexible, rapid adjustment of pupil shape and position through electronic control of individual pixel transmittance, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal shutter matrix divides the aperture control into individually controllable pixel segments. Each pixel can be independently adjusted to create arbitrary pupil shapes and positions, providing fine-grained control without mechanical complexity. This segmentation enables the system to generate different optical channels by selectively controlling which pixels transmit light
2Speed
If mechanical aperture adjustment systems are used, then the aperture can be limited, but the adjustment time is not negligible and rapid adjustment is not achievable
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical aperture adjustment mechanisms with an electronically controlled liquid crystal shutter matrix, the system achieves rapid aperture adjustment without mechanical inertia or moving parts. The electronic control allows instant reconfiguration of the pupil shape and position, eliminating the time loss associated with mechanical adjustment while maintaining precise aperture control
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal shutter matrix provides dynamic, real-time control of the aperture without mechanical movement. The system can rapidly switch between different pupil configurations by electronically reconfiguring which pixels are transparent or opaque, enabling fast adjustment speeds that meet the requirement for rapid optical channel switching
3Reliability
If mechanical pupil limiting systems are used, then the pupil can be sharply delimited, but mechanical stress, wear, and noise emission increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical stress and wear by replacing physical aperture limiting mechanisms with an electronically controlled liquid crystal shutter matrix. The sharp delimitation of the pupil is achieved through the binary transparent/opaque state of individual liquid crystal pixels rather than mechanical blades or stops, thereby maintaining precision while eliminating harmful mechanical factors
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal pixels inherently provide sharp edges for pupil delimitation through their optical properties without requiring mechanical precision. Each pixel acts as a self-contained light control element that can be independently switched between transparent and opaque states, providing reliable pupil limitation without mechanical intervention
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 flexible and rapid generation of optical channels, achieving high image quality and allowing for various microscopy modes without mechanical complexity, reducing adjustment time and mechanical stress, and enabling continuous image acquisition in stereomicroscope mode.
Implementation Method 1
using a liquid crystal matrix or mechanically controlled segments to enable high image quality and efficient operation
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope (10) is described, having an aperture limiter (12), arranged in the beam path (22), for generating at least one optical channel (16; 18; 20). The aperture limiter (12) is embodied to set the aperture of the at least one optical channel (16; 18; 20). The aperture limiter (12) is furthermore embodied in such a way that in a first operating mode a first optical channel, and in a second operating mode at least one second optical channel, is selectively generable. The aperture limiter is also arranged in the pupil plane of the beam path.