Multi-Mode Analytical Microscope Shared Objective Lens Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-mode analytical microscopes are inefficient and costly due to redundant and incompatible optical components, leading to difficulties in accurate viewing and analysis when switching between modes, particularly in combining visible, ultraviolet, and infrared wavelength ranges.
Innovation Solution
A microscope design that uses a shared light collection path and optical elements, such as a dark field objective lens and concentrator, to facilitate both UV fluorescence and Raman analysis without the need to swap objectives, allowing for simultaneous imaging and analysis with reduced component redundancy and improved alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multi-mode analytical microscopes are constructed by superimposing features of different microscopes and spectrometers, then multiple viewing/analysis modes are provided, but the instrument becomes expensive and inefficient with redundant and interfering components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single optical element (the objective lens) that performs multiple functions across different wavelength ranges. The objective lens is configured to both collect visible light for microscopy and collect UV light for Raman spectroscopy, eliminating the need for separate optical paths and components for each mode. This multi-functional design reduces component redundancy while maintaining versatility in providing both microscopic viewing and spectrometric analysis.
2Reliability
If optical elements are designed for specific wavelength ranges (Vis, UV, IR), then optimal performance in each range is achieved, but the elements are incompatible with other wavelength ranges requiring component exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The objective lens is designed with universal functionality to operate effectively across multiple wavelength ranges including visible and UV. This eliminates the need to exchange optical elements when switching between microscopy and Raman spectroscopy modes, as the same lens performs both functions reliably without requiring component exchange.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optics are switched between microscopic viewing and spectrometric analysis modes, then different analysis functions are enabled, but alignment accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By using a single objective lens for both visible light microscopy and UV light Raman spectroscopy, the patent eliminates the need to switch optical elements. This ensures that the region of interest remains precisely aligned and focused across both modes, as the same optical path and focal plane are used for both functions, thereby maintaining measurement precision and alignment accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate instruments are combined, then comprehensive analysis capability is achieved, but the physical size and cost of the instrument increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical collection functions for both microscopy and Raman spectroscopy into a single integrated system. The objective lens simultaneously collects visible light for imaging and UV light for Raman analysis, combining what would traditionally require separate instruments into one compact unit. This reduces the physical size and eliminates redundant components while maintaining comprehensive multi-mode analysis capability.
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 efficient and cost-effective multi-mode analysis by eliminating the need for redundant components and improving alignment accuracy, allowing for precise viewing and analysis of the same region of interest without the need to change optics.
Implementation Method 1
a UV light source to provide UV light to be incident on the sample, thereby inducing the emission of UV fluorescence from the sample
Implementation Method 2
Raman spectrometric analysis (i.e., analysis of laser light scattered by the sample, which can provide information about the composition of the sample)
Data Source
AI summary
An analytical microscope provides both UV fluorescence imaging and spectroscopic analysis of a sample with use of the same light collection element (objective lens or other optical element). An incident UV light beam travels to the sample via a dark field illumination path about the periphery of the collection lens, with the collection lens then collecting the emitted light from the sample and forwarding it to an eyepiece and/or camera for viewing. The sample is also illuminated with a laser through the collection lens to generate Raman emissions, which are then collected through the same collection lens and provided to a spectrograph for wavelength identification. Use of the same collection lens for both imaging and spectroscopic analysis better ensures that any imaged regions of interest on the sample are the same as those being spectroscopically analyzed.