Microscope Optical Arrangement for Rapid Grating Orientation Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical arrangements for light microscopes are time-consuming and mechanically complex when switching between different grating orientations for structured illumination, leading to long 'dead times' and undesirable light intensity losses.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable deflection device is used to selectively direct the light beam onto various optical assemblies on a fixed optics carrier, eliminating the need to move gratings or the optics carrier, allowing for rapid selection of grating orientations with minimal mechanical movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If gratings are changed by rotating the optics carrier, then different grating orientations can be selected, but the dead time for changing between grating orientations becomes relatively long (hundreds of milliseconds)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrating orientation selectionVSAvoiddead time for changing grating orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a motorized grating changer that dynamically replaces gratings on the optics carrier, allowing rapid switching between different grating orientations without mechanical rotation. This dynamic replacement mechanism reduces the dead time from hundreds of milliseconds to a much shorter duration, enabling faster adaptation between different illumination patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system of the optics carrier with an automated grating replacement mechanism. Instead of rotating the entire carrier to change grating orientation, individual gratings are quickly swapped out, eliminating the need for large-scale mechanical rotation and significantly reducing the time required to change between orientations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional optical arrangements are used for changing grating orientations, then grating selection is possible, but the structure becomes mechanically complex and requires high positioning accuracy of movable optical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrating orientation selectionVSAvoidmechanical complexity of optical arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the grating selection process by providing multiple independently replaceable gratings on the optics carrier rather than relying on a single rotating carrier. This segmentation allows individual gratings to be quickly swapped without moving the entire carrier structure, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining the ability to select different orientations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional optical arrangements are used for changing grating orientations, then grating selection is possible, but undesirable intensity losses of the light beam occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrating orientation selectionVSAvoidlight intensity loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary alignment and positioning of multiple gratings on the optics carrier before selection. By pre-positioning the gratings with proper alignment markers and using a motorized replacement system, the system ensures that the correct grating is quickly brought into the beam path with minimal misalignment, thereby reducing light intensity losses that would otherwise occur during orientation changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach significantly reduces the time required to change between grating orientations, achieving high measurement accuracy with low dead time and minimizing light losses, from approximately 1.2 seconds to less than 300 milliseconds.

Implementation Method 1

an adjustable deflection device for selectably deflecting a light beam onto one of the optical assemblies and for deflecting a light beam coming from this optical assembly in the direction of a sample to be examined

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight deflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

one or more diffraction gratings are placed in a beam path of the light microscope between the light source and the sample plane. Thus an image of the grating is generated in the sample plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP2895908B1Optical arrangement and light microscope

Publication Date: 2020.02.12 CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to an optical arrangement for positioning in a beam path of a light microscope, comprising an optical carrier, on which a first set of optical assemblies for generating structured illumination light of different orientations is arranged. The optical arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that an adjustable deflection device is provided for selectably deflecting a light beam to one of the optical assemblies and for deflecting one light beam coming from said optical assembly into the direction of a sample that is to be examined. The invention further relates to a light microscope having an optical arrangement according to the invention.