Microscope Illumination Unit Using Stationary Mirror for Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopes require mechanical introduction and removal of optical elements to switch between evanescent illumination and point-like scanning illumination, leading to slow mode changes and high alignment complexity, which is not suitable for applications requiring rapid and precise illumination adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A microscope design that uses a displacement unit and a stationary mirror with transparent and reflective regions to deflect the illuminating beam path, allowing for fast switching between orthoscopic and conoscopic beam paths without mechanical changes, using a single light source and centralized software control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If optical elements are mechanically introduced and removed to switch between illumination modes, then mode switching is achieved, but switching speed becomes slow and alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of moving optical elements with a stationary optical path configuration. The beam deflection device (acousto-optical or electro-optical) controls the illumination beam direction electronically, eliminating the need for mechanical insertion/removal of optical elements. This substitution enables rapid mode switching between evanescent and point-like scanning illumination without mechanical movement, directly resolving the contradiction between switching capability and switching speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical elements are mechanically introduced and removed to switch between illumination modes, then mode switching is achieved, but alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical alignment operations by using a stationary optical path with electronically controlled beam deflection. The fixed optical elements and electronic beam steering replace the need for mechanical insertion and alignment of movable components, significantly reducing alignment complexity while maintaining the ability to switch between illumination modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a universal beam deflection device that can control the illumination beam for multiple illumination modes (evanescent, point-like scanning, and other configurations) through electronic programming. This single multi-functional device replaces multiple specialized optical elements that would otherwise require individual alignment, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Device complexity
If a single light source is used for both illumination modes, then system complexity is reduced, but rapid mode switching requires precise beam control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electronic beam deflection devices (acousto-optical or electro-optical modulators) to precisely control the illumination beam direction with high temporal and spatial accuracy. These electronic systems provide precise beam steering without mechanical movement, enabling a single light source to serve multiple illumination modes with the required precision for rapid mode switching.
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 switching between evanescent and point-like scanning illumination modes, reducing alignment complexity and enabling simultaneous use of multiple imaging methods like FRAP, FRET, and multiphoton microscopy with improved resolution and penetration depth.
Implementation Method 1
When the distance of the focus with respect to the optical axis of the objective is sufficient, total reflection occurs at the boundary surface between the sample holder (for example, a cover slip) and the sample. The evanescent field produced as a result penetrates only into the boundary surface of the sample and decreases exponentially with distance from that boundary surface.
Implementation Method 2
a stationary mirror surface (6), having a transparent region (27) and a reflective region (28), for generating the orthoscopic beam path (14) from the illuminating beam path (32) in that the illuminating beam path (32) is deflected at the reflective region (28) of the stationary mirror surface (6)
Implementation Method 3
a scanning eyepiece (8), placed after the displacement unit (7), for focusing the illuminating rays into an image plane (11) of the scanning eyepiece (8)
Implementation Method 4
an objective (1) and an illumination unit (31) for selectable generation of an orthoscopic beam path (14) proceeding through the objective (1) for pointlike scanning illumination, and of a conoscopic beam path (13) proceeding through the objective (1) for evanescent illumination of an object
Data Source
AI summary
An objective and an illumination unit for selectable generation of an orthoscopic beam path proceeding through the objective for pointlike scanning illumination, and of a conoscopic beam path proceeding through the objective for evanescent illumination of an object are disclosed. The illumination unit has a light source for generating illuminating rays along an illuminating beam path; a displacement unit for deflecting the illuminating beam path; a scanning eyepiece, placed after the displacement unit for focusing the illuminating rays into an image plane of the scanning eyepiece; and a mirror surface arranged in the image plane of the scanning eyepiece, having a transparent region for generating the orthoscopic beam path and having an at least partly reflective region facing toward the scanning eyepiece for generating the conoscopic beam path from the illuminating beam path, the image plane is located in a plane conjugated with the exit pupil.