Microscope Objective Lens Groups for High NA and Long WD

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial microscope objectives face challenges in achieving high numerical aperture (NA) and long working distance (WD) while maintaining a wide field of view, with existing designs often compromising on one or more of these parameters due to insufficient aberration correction.

Innovation Solution

A microscope objective configuration comprising multiple lens groups with specific refractive properties and arrangements, including meniscus lenses and cemented lenses, to achieve high NA and long WD, with aberration correction through conditional expressions that define the power and refractive properties of individual lens groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the numerical aperture is increased to achieve high resolution, then the resolution is improved, but the working distance becomes short

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveresolutionVSAvoidworking distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The objective lens is divided into multiple lens groups (first through sixth lens groups) with different functions. The first lens group handles initial convergence, the second and fourth groups correct spherical aberration, the third group controls field curvature, and the fifth and sixth groups correct coma aberration. This segmentation allows each group to be optimized for specific parameters, achieving high NA while maintaining long WD.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each lens group has specifically designed local optical properties: meniscus lenses with concave surfaces facing the object side in the first, fourth, and sixth groups; cemented lenses with specific refractive index combinations in the second, fifth, and sixth groups. These localized optical characteristics enable precise control of light paths to achieve both high resolution and long working distance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the numerical aperture is increased to achieve high resolution, then the resolution is improved, but the field of view becomes narrow

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveresolutionVSAvoidfield of view
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The third lens group is specifically designed as a positive single lens with optimized refractive index to control field curvature independently. This local optimization allows the field of view to be widened without compromising the high numerical aperture achieved by other lens groups, resolving the trade-off between resolution and field of view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple lens groups collectively perform multiple functions: the first, second, and fourth groups correct spherical aberration; the third group controls field curvature; the fifth and sixth groups correct coma aberration. This multi-functional design enables the objective to achieve high resolution, wide field of view, and long working distance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the working distance is extended to improve conveyance speed, then the conveyance speed is improved, but the numerical aperture becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance speedVSAvoidnumerical aperture
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The objective is segmented into six lens groups with specific functions. The first lens group provides strong initial convergence to maintain high NA, while the subsequent groups correct various aberrations introduced by the extended working distance. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both long WD and high NA.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes in the form of specific conditional expressions that define the relationships between focal lengths and refractive indices of different lens groups. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves the desired balance between working distance and numerical aperture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables high NA and long WD with effective aberration correction, particularly coma aberration, over a wide field of view, enhancing imaging performance.

Implementation Method 1

a first lens group having positive refractive power and including a plurality of meniscus lenses with a concave surface facing an object side; a second lens group including a first cemented lens closest to the object side, the first cemented lens consisting of a positive lens and a negative lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12372768B2Microscope objective
Publication Date: 2025.07.29 EVIDENT CORP
  • US12372768B2 patent drawing
  • US12372768B2 patent drawing
  • US12372768B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A microscope objective includes: a first group including a plurality of meniscus lenses with a concave surface facing an object side; a second group including a first cemented lens closest to the object side; a third group consisting of a positive single lens; a fourth group including a first cemented meniscus lens with a concave surface facing the object side; a fifth group consisting of a second cemented meniscus lens with a concave surface facing an image side; and a sixth group including a third cemented meniscus lens with a concave surface facing the object side, the first to sixth groups being arranged in order from the object side. The microscope objective satisfies the following conditional expression.0<|f/f5|<0.15  (1)Where, f is a focal length of the microscope objective. f5 is a focal length of the fifth group.