Microscope Illumination Using Light Diffusing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscope apparatuses face limitations in restricting the pupil conjugate image with a light shielding element that moves in one plane, restricting the variable power range for oblique illumination due to changes in magnification.
Innovation Solution
The microscope apparatus incorporates a light diffusing element and a light shielding element, with specific optical properties and configurations, including a condenser lens with aspheric surfaces or a lens array, to ensure the entrance pupil is filled with illumination light regardless of magnification, allowing suitable restriction of the pupil conjugate image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a light shielding element is moved in one plane to restrict the pupil conjugate image, then the structure is simple, but the variable power range for oblique illumination is restricted when magnification changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light diffusing element that creates a virtual light source at a different spatial dimension (distance D from the light shielding element), transforming the problem from a 2D plane movement constraint to a 3D spatial configuration. This allows the light shielding element to effectively restrict the pupil conjugate image across multiple magnification levels without requiring complex multi-plane movement mechanisms.
2Illumination intensity
If a light shielding element is positioned to restrict the pupil conjugate image at one magnification, then the illumination is effective at that magnification, but the entrance pupil cannot be filled with illumination light at other magnifications
Solution Approach 1:
The light diffusing element acts as an intermediary between the light source and the light shielding element. It creates a virtual light source that, when combined with the light shielding element at distance D, produces a pupil conjugate image that can be effectively restricted across different magnifications while ensuring the entrance pupil is filled with illumination light.
3Ease of operation
If the light shielding element is moved in one plane, then the control is simple, but the pupil conjugate image cannot be suitably restricted across varying magnifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of light source positioning by introducing distance D between the light shielding element and the light diffusing element. This parameter change creates a virtual light source that moves in correspondence with magnification changes, allowing the light shielding element to precisely restrict the pupil conjugate image across varying magnifications while maintaining simple one-plane movement control.
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 enables effective oblique illumination across varying magnifications, suppressing glare and enhancing contrast for phase objects by adjusting the light shielding rate and positioning of the light diffusing element.
Implementation Method 1
a light diffusing element (23) having a diffusion surface which diffuses the luminous flux transmitted without being shielded by the light shielding plate (22)
Implementation Method 2
a condenser lens which condenses the light emitted from the surface light emitter and irradiates the sample with the condensed light
Implementation Method 3
the condenser lens includes at least one surface formed in an aspheric shape
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a microscope apparatus including an illumination apparatus which is capable of, regardless of the observation magnification of an imaging optical system, filling the entrance pupil of the imaging optical system with illumination light, and suitably restricting the conjugate image of the entrance pupil of the imaging optical system by a light shielding element. A microscope apparatus 1 is configured by including: an illumination apparatus 2 which includes a surface light emitter (light guide plate 21) having a light emitting surface as a planar light-emitting region and irradiates a sample S with light emitted from the light guide plate 21; an objective lens 31 which condenses light from the sample S; and an imaging optical system 3 which includes a variable power lens group 32 configured to form an image of the sample S by changing the magnification of the image of the sample S. In the microscope apparatus 1, the illumination apparatus 2 includes a light shielding plate 22, as a light shielding element, which is arranged on the sample side of the light emitting surface of the light guide plate 21 and shields a part of a luminous flux emitted from the light emitting surface, and a light diffusing element 23 which is arranged on the sample side of the light shielding plate 22 and diffuses light from the light guide plate 21.