Microscope Objective Aberration Correction via Segmented Lens Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope objectives fail to provide sufficient correction for field curvature and comatic aberrations, limiting the ability to achieve high resolution across a wide field of view, especially at higher numerical apertures, which hampers the performance of microscope apparatuses in fields like brain research.
Innovation Solution
A microscope objective design comprising a first lens group with positive power, a second lens group with negative power featuring two meniscus lenses with concave surfaces facing each other, and a third lens group with positive power, including cemented lenses, which corrects aberrations by balancing chromatic and spherical aberrations through specific conditional expressions and lens configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wide field of view and high numerical aperture are implemented, then the scanning speed and observation capability are improved, but field curvature and comatic aberrations are not sufficiently corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The objective lens is divided into multiple lens groups (first lens group with positive power, second lens group with negative power, third lens group with positive power) and individual lens elements (meniscus lenses, cemented lenses, biconvex lenses, biconcave lenses). Each segment is strategically positioned and designed with specific optical powers to correct different types of aberrations independently, allowing simultaneous achievement of wide field of view, high numerical aperture, and excellent aberration correction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical system are assigned different functional properties. The first lens group (positive power) primarily corrects spherical aberration and focuses light. The second lens group (negative power) specifically addresses comatic aberration and field curvature. The third lens group (positive power) fine-tunes chromatic aberration and overall focus. Each lens element within these groups has specifically designed curvature radii and positions to address local optical quality issues in different parts of the field of view.
2Use of energy by moving object
If higher numerical aperture is achieved, then the light gathering capability is improved, but off-axis aberrations increase and deteriorate performance
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system employs asymmetric lens configurations to counteract off-axis aberrations. The second lens group contains two meniscus lenses with concave surfaces facing each other, creating an asymmetric arrangement that specifically targets and corrects comatic aberration and field curvature affecting off-axis rays. This asymmetric design allows the system to maintain high numerical aperture while compensating for the increased off-axis aberrations that would normally occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses counterbalancing optical elements to neutralize harmful off-axis aberrations. The negative power second lens group acts as an optical counterweight to the positive power first and third lens groups, creating a balanced system where the aberrations introduced by high numerical aperture are compensated by the opposing optical power and asymmetric arrangement of the second lens group, effectively canceling out comatic and field curvature aberrations.
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 objective achieves excellent aberration performance, enabling a wide field of view and high numerical aperture, effectively suppressing aberrations and enhancing resolution across the entire field of view.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens group, having a positive power, that includes a plurality of cemented lenses... a second lens group, having a negative power, that includes a first meniscus lens component... and a third lens group, having a positive power, that includes a plurality of lens components
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope objective includes three groups that are in a positive-negative-positive configuration. The first lens group includes a plurality of cemented lenses, and includes, closest to the object, a meniscus lens having its concave surface on the object side. The second lens group includes a first meniscus lens component having its concave surface on the image side and a second meniscus lens component having its concave surface on the object side. At least one of the lens components of the third lens group is a cemented lens.