Microscope Illumination Unit Using Pyramidal Frustum Light Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination systems for microscopes face challenges in providing flexible and homogeneous illumination without unwanted reflections, especially when dealing with non-flat samples.
Innovation Solution
The proposed illumination unit consists of multiple individual light sources arranged in a distributed manner and combined using pyramidal frustum-shaped light mixing elements. These elements ensure a homogeneous distribution of light and allow for flexible switching between different types of illumination, such as ring light, coaxial reflected light, and dark-field illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If ring light sources are used to provide diffuse illumination from different solid angles, then illumination homogeneity is improved, but direct reflections occur on flat or non-flat samples that are imaged on the camera
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into multiple individually controllable light sources arranged in a ring configuration. Each light source can be independently activated or deactivated, allowing the system to segment the illumination into different angular zones. This enables selective illumination from specific angles while avoiding angles that produce direct reflections on the sample surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system dynamically adjusts which light sources are active based on the sample characteristics and desired illumination mode. By dynamically switching between different combinations of light sources, the system adapts to prevent direct reflections on both flat and non-flat samples while maintaining illumination homogeneity where needed.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If multiple illumination patterns are used to correct reflections, then reflection correction is improved, but acquisition time increases due to sequential image acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic switching between different illumination patterns, where each pattern activates a specific subset of light sources. By periodically alternating between illumination patterns that illuminate from different angular zones, the system captures multiple perspectives for reflection correction without requiring complex sequential acquisitions, thereby reducing overall acquisition time.
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
The illumination unit achieves a flexible and efficient generation of various illumination types, reducing unwanted reflections and allowing for high-contrast imaging. It enables quick switching between different illumination modes, enhancing the versatility of microscopic examinations.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination unit comprises a multiplicity of light mixing elements, each for mixing the light emitted by one of the individual light sources
Implementation Method 2
The illumination unit serves to illuminate a sample to be examined by microscopy using the microscope and comprises a multiplicity of individual light sources for this purpose
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates first to an illumination unit for an optical microscope. The illumination unit serves to illuminate a sample to be examined by microscopy using the microscope and comprises a multiplicity of individual light sources for this purpose. The illumination unit also comprises a multiplicity of light mixing elements, each having the shape of a solid or hollow pyramidal frustum with a bottom base, a top base, a lateral face and an axis. The individual light sources are each arranged above the top bases of the light mixing elements. The bottom bases of the light mixing elements together form a light exit surface of the illumination unit. The invention further relates to an optical microscope having the illumination unit according to the invention and to a method for using the microscope according to the invention.