Microscope Illumination Apparatus Using Conjugate Spatial Modulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current illumination apparatuses for microscopes face challenges in efficiently controlling the illumination area, position, and time, particularly in optogenetics and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, due to complex optical system adjustments and low light efficiency, especially when using digital micro mirror devices (DMDs) and spatial light modulation elements.
Innovation Solution
The proposed illumination apparatus incorporates a spatial modulation element with a reflecting type and a polarizing element, including a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) for precise control of light intensity and polarization, with a first and second illumination optical system disposed in conjugate positions to enhance light efficiency and facilitate easy adjustment, allowing for flexible illumination area, position, and time settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a digital micro mirror device (DMD) is used for illumination control, then the illumination area and position can be controlled, but the optical system becomes complex and light efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the illumination control function from the complex DMD-based optical system and implements it using a simpler spatial light modulation element that can be conjugately positioned with the specimen plane. This allows the DMD to be removed while maintaining illumination control capabilities, thereby reducing optical system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial light modulation element as an intermediary component that simplifies the optical path. By positioning this element conjugately with the specimen plane, the system achieves illumination control without requiring the complex DMD structure, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a digital micro mirror device (DMD) is used for illumination control, then the illumination area and position can be controlled, but light efficiency becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the DMD from the optical path and replaces it with a spatial light modulation element that has higher light efficiency. This extraction of the DMD component directly addresses the light efficiency problem while preserving the illumination control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the light modulation mechanism from DMD-based micromirror deflection to spatial light modulation. This parameter change enables better light transmission and efficiency while maintaining the ability to control illumination area and position through software or electrical control.
3Ease of operation
If the spatial light modulation element is positioned to be conjugate with the specimen plane, then illumination control is simplified, but the optical system arrangement becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the spatial light modulation element conjugately with the specimen plane, creating an equipotential optical arrangement where the element and specimen plane are in a symmetric relationship. This conjugate positioning simplifies illumination control by establishing a direct optical correspondence, making the system easier to operate while the symmetric arrangement naturally manages the optical complexity.
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 high light efficiency, enabling brighter specimen illumination and improved contrast in observation images while simplifying the optical system adjustment and reducing the apparatus size, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a spatial modulation element which is of reflecting type
Implementation Method 2
a polarizing element
Implementation Method 3
a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) for precise control of light intensity and polarization
Data Source
AI summary
A illumination apparatus for microscope comprises a light source, a spatial modulation section, a first illumination optical system, a second illumination optical system, and the spatial modulation section includes a spatial modulation element which is of reflecting type, and a polarizing element, and the first illumination optical system is disposed in an optical path from the light source up to the spatial modulation element, and the second illumination optical system is disposed in an optical path from the spatial modulation element up to a specimen position, and a position of the spatial modulation element is conjugate with the specimen position. Moreover, a microscope comprises a illumination apparatus, a main-body section, an observation unit, and a control unit, and the illumination apparatus for microscope is to be used as the illumination apparatus.