Laser Scanning Microscope Beam Splitter Angles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser scanning microscopes face challenges in efficiently separating and detecting fluorescence emissions from multiple dyes used in biomedical applications, particularly when different dyes are labeled simultaneously, as existing technologies rely heavily on absorption and emission characteristics which can lead to interference and require additional beam splitters and filters.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a laser scanning microscope design where the illumination and detection rays are optically bound through a dichroic main beam splitter, with secondary beam splitters arranged at angles less than 45 degrees to the optical axis, enhancing the filtering effect and reducing the need for additional emission filters by optimizing the reflection and transmission properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional beam splitters and filters are used to separate fluorescence from multiple dyes, then separation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional emission filters by optimizing the dichroic beam splitter configuration. By using beam splitters at angles less than 45 degrees, the system achieves effective fluorescence separation without requiring the additional filtering components that would otherwise be necessary, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The optimized beam splitter configuration serves multiple functions simultaneously: it separates fluorescence from excitation light, blocks unwanted wavelengths, and maintains optical path efficiency. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated filters, reducing the overall number of components while achieving the same separation effect.
2Measurement precision
If additional beam splitters and filters are added to handle multiple dyes, then fluorescence separation is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the necessity for additional emission filters by optimizing the dichroic beam splitter angles. The configuration with angles less than 45 degrees provides sufficient wavelength separation on its own, extracting the filtering function from separate components and integrating it into the beam splitter geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of wavelength selection and fluorescence separation into the optimized beam splitter configuration itself. By combining these functions in a single component arrangement rather than using separate filters and beam splitters, the system reduces the total number of components while maintaining effective fluorescence separation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional beam splitter angles are used, then optical path is maintained, but filtering effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of beam splitter angle from the conventional 45 degrees to angles less than 45 degrees. This parameter optimization enhances the filtering effect by improving the angular separation between reflected and transmitted light paths, thereby achieving better wavelength discrimination without adding additional components.
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 configuration achieves improved separation and suppression of excitation wavelengths, resulting in enhanced optical density and reduced interference, allowing for more effective detection of fluorescence emissions from multiple dyes without the need for additional filters, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of fluorescence testing.
Implementation Method 1
the illumination and detection rays are bound optically through a dichroic main beam splitter
Implementation Method 2
the angle of incidence of the illumination light and/or the angle of incidence of the specimen light at the splitter surface of at least the main beam splitter or at least the secondary beam splitter is less than 45 degrees
Implementation Method 3
the angle of incidence of the illumination light and/or the angle of incidence of the specimen light at the splitter surface of at least the main beam splitter or at least the secondary beam splitter is less than 45 degrees
Implementation Method 4
With the use of multiphoton absorption, the excitation of the color substance (dye) fluorescence happens in a small volume in which the intensity of the excitation is particularly high
Implementation Method 5
the fluorescence light is focused on a slit (confocal slit/pinhole), which is exactly in a plane conjugated to the focal plane. Through this the fluorescence light components which are outside the focus are suppressed
Data Source
AI summary
Laser scanning microscope for fluorescence testing, in which the illumination and detection rays are bound optically through a dichroic main beam splitter, the detected probe light being led to several detectors by means of a secondary beam splitter and the angle of incidence of the illumination light and/or the angle of incidence of the probe light at the splitter surface of at least the main beam splitter or at least the secondary splitter is less than 45 degrees.