Microscope Non-Imaging Redistribution Element for Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high-resolution microscopy techniques face challenges in achieving sufficient signal/noise ratio due to detector limitations, such as radiation intensity distribution and pixel size issues, which hinder rapid image acquisition and resolution beyond the diffraction limit.
Innovation Solution
A microscope with a detector array larger than the individual image and a non-imaging redistribution element that directs radiation from the detection plane to the detector array, allowing for oversampling of the diffraction structure without retaining the individual image, enabling increased resolution without the constraints of conventional detector sizes and pixel arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a detector array larger than the individual image is used to capture diffraction structure, then resolution beyond the diffraction limit is achieved, but the radiation intensity per pixel decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a 1:1 mapping between the individual image and detector pixels to a many-to-one mapping by introducing a non-imaging redistribution element. This element redistributes the radiation from the diffraction-limited individual image across multiple detector pixels, effectively using the extra dimension of the larger detector array to capture diffraction structure information while maintaining sufficient radiation intensity through the redistribution mechanism
2Measurement precision
If conventional detector arrays are used with diffraction-limited imaging, then the individual image fits on the detector, but the resolution is limited to the diffraction limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a detector array whose area is deliberately made larger than the individual image, creating an unused dimension. The non-imaging redistribution element then utilizes this extra area to map the diffraction structure of the individual image across multiple pixels, thereby achieving resolution beyond the diffraction limit without being constrained by the original detector size
3Measurement precision
If the individual image is captured with multiple pixels to resolve diffraction structure, then resolution is improved, but data acquisition complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The non-imaging redistribution element acts as an intermediary that simplifies the relationship between the individual image and the detector array. By redistributing the radiation in a controlled manner across multiple pixels, it enables the capture of diffraction structure information while providing a systematic mapping that facilitates straightforward data processing and evaluation, rather than requiring complex processing of arbitrary multi-pixel distributions
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 high-resolution imaging with rapid acquisition and reduced crosstalk, achieving a resolution twice that of the diffraction limit, while minimizing equipment complexity and maintaining reasonable operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a non-imaging redistribution element, which is arranged in front of the detector array and non-imagingly distributes the radiation from the detection plane onto the pixels of the detector array
Implementation Method 2
an imaging device for scanning a point or line spot over the sample and for imaging the point or line spot in a diffraction-limited, stationary individual image under an imaging scale in a detection plane
Data Source
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AI summary
In a microscope for high-resolution scanning microscopy of a sample (2), comprising - an illumination device (3) for illuminating the sample (2), - an imaging device (4) for scanning at least one point or line spot (14) over the sample (2) and for imaging the point or line spot (14) into a diffraction-limited, stationary individual image (17) with an imaging scale into a detection plane (18), - a detector device (19) for detecting the individual image (17) in the detection plane (18) for different scanning positions with a spatial resolution which, taking account of the imaging scale, is at least twice as high as a full width at half maximum of the diffraction-limited individual image (17), - and evaluation device (c) for evaluating a diffraction structure of the individual image (17) for the scanning positions from data of the detector device (19) and for generating an image of the sample (2) which has a resolution increased beyond the diffraction limit, provision is made for - the detector device (19) to have: a detector array (24), which has pixels (25) and is larger than the individual image (17) and - a non-imaging redistribution element (20-21; 30-34; 30-35), which is disposed upstream of the detector array (24) and distributes the radiation from the detection plane (18) in a non-imaging manner among the pixels (25) of the detector array (24).