Microscope Pupil Modulation for Phase and Refractive Index Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining phase distribution and refractive index distribution in samples, such as phase objects, face challenges in achieving high accuracy and resolution, particularly in microscopy applications.
Innovation Solution
A microscope device equipped with an illumination optical system and a detection optical system, incorporating modulation elements at the pupil or its conjugate surface, allows for continuous light transmittance adjustment, enabling the generation of three-dimensional refractive index and two-dimensional phase distributions using spatial light modulators like transmission type flat plates, liquid crystal elements, and digital mirror devices (DMDs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional illumination methods are used, then the microscope structure remains simple, but the measurement precision and resolution of phase and refractive index distributions are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the illumination optical system adjustable through modulation elements (spatial light modulators, liquid crystal elements, DMDs) that can dynamically change light transmittance distribution in the pupil plane. This allows the system to adapt illumination conditions for different measurement requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple structure and achieving high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the illumination system by introducing modulation elements that control light transmittance, phase, and amplitude in the pupil plane. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves high measurement precision for phase and refractive index distributions without requiring fundamentally complex structural changes.
2Manufacturing precision
If high numerical aperture objectives are used to improve resolution, then the resolution increases, but the depth of field decreases and measurement accuracy becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using modulation elements in the pupil plane to locally control illumination characteristics. Different regions of the pupil can be modulated independently to optimize both resolution and depth of field, allowing high numerical aperture objectives to maintain both spatial resolution and phase measurement accuracy simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces another dimension by working in the pupil plane (Fourier space) rather than only in the object plane. By modulating light in the pupil plane, the system can control illumination angles and improve depth of field while maintaining high spatial resolution from high numerical aperture objectives, effectively adding a control dimension to resolve the contradiction.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurements are taken to improve accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using temporal modulation of the illumination light through the modulation elements. By periodically varying the illumination pattern in the pupil plane, the system can extract multiple measurement signals more efficiently, improving refractive index distribution accuracy while reducing the total measurement time compared to sequential multi-measurement approaches.
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
Enhances the accuracy and resolution of phase and refractive index distribution measurements by optimizing light transmittance distribution, thereby improving image clarity and detail in microscopy.
Implementation Method 1
a modulation element group that is provided at a position of a pupil or a position conjugate with the pupil in only the illumination optical system, and has light transmittance changing continuously within a surface of the pupil or within a surface conjugate with the pupil
Implementation Method 2
the spatial modulator includes a transmission type flat plate, a transmission type liquid crystal element, a reflection type liquid crystal element, and a digital mirror device (DMD) in which light transmittance changes, and when the DMD is used, a desired light transmittance distribution can be set by controlling an angle of each mirror in the DMD
Implementation Method 3
Optical diffraction tomography with fully and partially coherent illumination in high numerical aperture label-free microscopy
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope device comprises an illumination optical system for illuminating a sample, a detection optical system for receiving light from the sample, a detector for detecting the light from the sample via the detection optical system and outputting a detection signal of the light, a data processor for generating at least one of a three-dimensional refractive index distribution and a two-dimensional phase distribution in the sample based on the detection signal of the light output from the detector, and a modulation element group that is provided at a position of a pupil or a position conjugate with the pupil in only the illumination optical system, and has light transmittance changing continuously within a surface of the pupil or within a surface conjugate with the pupil.