Microscope Optical Axis Adjustment for Multi-Wavelength Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope apparatuses face issues with image brightness and positional displacement when switching optical-path splitting portions due to machining and mounting precision errors, leading to suboptimal image observation.
Innovation Solution
A microscope apparatus with a shifting mechanism to align illumination light with the objective lens's pupil center, using storage and control systems to adjust for entry-angle and transmitting-position displacements caused by optical-path splitting portions, ensuring consistent image quality and brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical-path splitting portions are switched to acquire images at different wavelengths, then multi-wavelength observation capability is improved, but image brightness decreases and positional displacement occurs due to machining and mounting precision errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-measures and stores the transmitting-position displacement and entry-angle displacement for each optical-path splitting portion before actual observation. When switching between dichroic mirrors, the control portion retrieves the pre-stored correction values and adjusts the shifting mechanism and scanning portion accordingly, eliminating the need for real-time measurement and ensuring consistent image brightness and position across all wavelengths
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the actual transmitting-position displacement and entry-angle displacement of each optical-path splitting portion are measured and stored in advance. During operation, the control portion uses this stored feedback information to automatically compensate for deviations, ensuring that images maintain consistent brightness and position regardless of which dichroic mirror is currently in use
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical-path splitting portions are switched to acquire images at different wavelengths, then multi-wavelength observation capability is improved, but positional displacement between images occurs due to machining and mounting precision errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-measures and stores the entry-angle displacement for each optical-path splitting portion before actual observation. When switching between dichroic mirrors, the control portion retrieves the pre-stored correction values and adjusts the scanning portion accordingly, eliminating the need for real-time measurement and ensuring consistent image position across all wavelengths
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the actual entry-angle displacement of each optical-path splitting portion is measured and stored in advance. During operation, the control portion uses this stored feedback information to automatically compensate for positional deviations, ensuring that images maintain consistent positioning regardless of which dichroic mirror is currently in use
3Illumination intensity
If correction values are stored and applied for each optical-path splitting portion, then image brightness and position consistency are improved, but system complexity increases due to additional storage and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-characterization by automatically measuring and storing the transmitting-position displacement and entry-angle displacement for each optical-path splitting portion during setup. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual calibration and complex real-time measurement systems, as the apparatus characterizes itself and stores the correction data for automatic retrieval during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-measures and stores all necessary correction values for each optical-path splitting portion before actual observation begins. This preliminary characterization eliminates the need for complex real-time measurement and adjustment mechanisms, as all correction data is prepared in advance and automatically applied when switching between dichroic mirrors
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 bright and positionally accurate image observation without displacement when switching optical-path splitting portions, correcting for precision errors and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of optical-path splitting portions 17 that are placed in an optical path of the illumination light and the return light in an insertable/removable manner and split the optical path
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope for observing a specimen, while switching optical-path splitting portions, by using bright images without a positional displacement between the images, includes an optical-axis moving portion that parallelly moves laser light; a scanning portion; an objective lens; a detector; a plurality of excitation dichroic mirrors placed in an optical path in an insertable/removable manner and split the optical path; an excitation DM turret that selectively switches the excitation dichroic mirrors; a storage portion storing entry-angle displacement information and transmitting-position displacement information for the laser light at the pupil position of the objective lens, which are associated with the individual excitation dichroic mirrors; and a control portion controlling the scanning portion based on the entry-angle displacement information associated with an excitation dichroic mirror placed in the optical path and also controlling the optical-axis moving portion 15 based on the transmitting-position displacement information associated with that dichroic mirror.