Microscope System Brightness via Axial Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single objective lens type stereomicroscopes face limitations in image brightness due to the restricted diameter of the afocal variable magnification optical system, particularly at higher magnifications, leading to insufficient brightness and increased risk of missing weak fluorescence markers during observation.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system comprising an objective lens that converts object light into parallel light, an afocal variable magnification optical system that adjusts the luminous flux diameter, and an image forming optical system, with specific conditions such as 2·NA(ob)·FL(ob)≧30 mm and 6≦Lexz/X≦10, ensuring a large effective numerical aperture and flexible magnification options, including the use of additional afocal variable magnification optical systems for enhanced brightness and observation capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the diameter of the afocal variable magnification optical system is limited to 1/2 or less of the effective diameter of the objective lens, then the distance between two right and left optical paths can be controlled, but the image brightness becomes insufficient at higher magnifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension (depth/axial direction) by placing a light guide member between the objective lens and the observer's eye. This allows the luminous flux to be transported along the optical axis rather than being constrained to the lateral plane, effectively increasing the available light path without increasing the lateral diameter of the optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member acts as an intermediary component that captures the luminous flux from the objective lens and guides it to the observer's eye. This mediator allows the system to maintain a compact lateral profile while still utilizing the full diameter of the objective lens for light collection.
2Illumination intensity
If a large numerical aperture NA is used to increase image brightness, then the diameter of luminous flux emergent from the objective lens increases, but the effective diameter is still limited by the afocal variable magnification optical system
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member extends the light path in the axial direction, allowing the system to utilize the full numerical aperture of the objective lens without being constrained by the lateral diameter limitations of the afocal variable magnification optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member extracts the luminous flux from the conventional optical path and guides it separately to the observer's eye, bypassing the diameter constraints of the afocal variable magnification optical system.
3Productivity
If the focal length of the objective lens is shortened to achieve higher magnification, then the diameter of luminous flux emergent from the objective lens decreases, but the working distance becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member serves as an intermediary that captures and transports the luminous flux, allowing the use of shorter focal length objective lenses for higher magnification while maintaining adequate working distance through the extended light path.
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 system achieves improved image brightness and working distance, allowing for easier access to samples and reduced risk of overlooking fluorescence markers, while enabling continuous magnification selection and efficient operation with a large numerical aperture and extended observation field.
Implementation Method 1
an objective lens which changes luminous flux from an object into parallel luminous flux
Implementation Method 2
an afocal variable magnification optical system which changes a diameter of luminous flux emanated from the objective lens into a different diameter of luminous flux
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope system includes, at least, an objective lens for converting a luminous flux from an object into a parallel luminous flux, an afocal variable magnification optical system for changing a diameter of the parallel luminous flux emergent from the objective lens into a different diameter, and an image forming optical system for forming an image out of the parallel luminous flux emergent from the afocal variable magnification optical system, and the following conditions are satisfied:2·NA(ob)·FL(ob)≧30 (mm)6≦Lexz/X≦10where, NA(ob) is the maximum effective numerical aperture of the objective lens, FL(ob) is a focal length of the objective lens, X=2·NA(ob)·FL(ob), and Lexz is a distance from an object surface to the most distant end of the afocal variable magnification optical system.