Microscope Light Distributor Using Polarization Beam Splitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical beam splitters are limited by specific wavelength combinations, requiring costly adjustments and being insensitive to wavelength fluctuations, while acoustooptical beam splitters are expensive and require programming for different excitation wavelengths, making them unsuitable for flexible and broad wavelength applications.
Innovation Solution
A device with a polarization unit and beam splitter that guides illumination light and detected light based on polarization states, using a polarizing beam splitter to separate differently polarized components of detected light into separate paths, allowing for wavelength-independent distribution and combination with a beam combiner, and optionally incorporating a Faraday rotator and delay plate to minimize polarization dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional optical beam splitter is designed for specific wavelength combinations, then it can effectively guide illumination and detected light, but it lacks broad applicability and requires costly adjustments for different wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameter basis from wavelength-dependent to polarization-dependent beam splitting. By using a polarizing beam splitter and polarization maintaining elements, the system achieves wavelength-independent operation while maintaining effective light guidance across broad spectral ranges without requiring costly adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The polarizing beam splitter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it separates illumination and detected light paths, enables wavelength-independent operation, and provides polarization-based routing that works across broad spectral ranges. This universal approach eliminates the need for wavelength-specific configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an acoustooptical beam splitter is used for adjustable wavelength selection, then it can work with broad wavelength spectra, but it requires programming and electric field adjustment which is complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex acoustooptical system with a simpler all-optical polarization-based system. Instead of using acoustic waves and electric field programming to control beam splitting, the invention uses passive polarization maintaining elements and a polarizing beam splitter, eliminating the need for programming and complex control electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive optical components such as polarizing beam splitters and polarization maintaining fibers/cables that can be easily replaced or adjusted without complex programming. These components provide wavelength-independent operation at a fraction of the cost and complexity of acoustooptical systems.
3Reliability
If a beam splitter is designed for specific wavelength combinations, then it optimizes light guidance for those wavelengths, but it is sensitive to wavelength fluctuations and requires frequent re-adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the control parameter from wavelength to polarization state. The polarizing beam splitter and polarization maintaining elements ensure that light guidance stability is achieved through polarization preservation rather than wavelength matching, making the system insensitive to wavelength fluctuations while covering broad spectral ranges.
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 flexible and efficient distribution of illumination and detected light across various wavelengths without manual adjustments, reducing costs and maintaining performance with wavelength fluctuations, and allowing for evaluation of desired light components by filtering extraneous light.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization unit (30, 32) arranged in a first light path for converting the illumination light (14) directed onto the sample (18) into a first polarization state
Implementation Method 2
a beam splitter (34), arranged in the first light path, which has a polarization dependence such that it guides the illumination light converted into the first polarization state onto the sample (18), and guides a first portion of the detected light (20, 22), proceeding from the sample (18) and exhibiting the first polarization state, back into the first light path, while it guides a second portion of the detected light (20), proceeding from the sample (18) and exhibiting a second polarization state, into a second light path separated from the first light path
Implementation Method 3
a beam combiner (38) that combines the first portion and the second portion of the detected light with one another and guides them onto a detector (26)
Data Source
AI summary
A device for distributing illumination light and detected light in a microscope includes a distributor optic configured to guide illumination light onto a sample and guide detected light proceeding from the sample onto a detector. The distributor optic includes a polarization unit disposed in a first light path and configured to convert the illumination light directed onto the sample into a first polarization state, a beam splitter disposed in the first light path and having the polarization dependence so as to guide the converted illumination light onto the sample, a first portion of the detected light back into the first light path, and a second portion of the detected light into a second light path separated from the first light path. A beam combiner is configured to combine the first portion and the second portion of the detected light and guide the first portion and second portion onto the detector.