Microscope Aberration Correction via Sub-Pupil Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope technologies face challenges in optimally correcting aberrations across the entire image field in wide-field microscopy, as adaptive optics can only correct mean errors, leading to suboptimal correction in individual regions and worsened image quality in other areas.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement involves a pupil stop between the lens and tubular lens unit, with an optical element for optical-geometric separation of image field regions, creating sub-pupils for individual aberration correction, and an adaptive element in the sub-pupil plane for region-specific aberration correction, allowing for simultaneous and improved aberration correction across large image areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adaptive optics are used in the pupil plane for wide-field microscopy, then aberrations can be corrected, but only mean errors across the entire image field can be corrected, leading to suboptimal correction in individual regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single pupil into multiple sub-pupils using a lens array, where each sub-pupil corresponds to a specific image field region. This segmentation allows independent aberration correction for each region, resolving the contradiction between overall correction and region-specific correction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different adaptive optics elements to different sub-pupils, enabling each region to have customized aberration correction parameters tailored to its specific optical path and aberration characteristics, thus achieving optimal correction for each local area.
2Device complexity
If a single pupil is used for all image areas, then the system structure is simple, but optimal correction of aberrations varying across the image field is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single pupil into multiple sub-pupils using a lens array, creating a multi-pupil system that maintains relatively simple structure while enabling precise region-specific aberration correction, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and correction precision.
3Measurement precision
If adaptive optics are adjusted for different scan positions in laser scanning microscopy, then local regions can be corrected, but corrections are made in temporal sequence rather than simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple correction operations into a single simultaneous process by using a lens array to create multiple sub-pupils that are corrected at the same time, rather than sequentially adjusting for different scan positions, thus achieving both local precision and high correction speed.
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 solution enables improved aberration correction across large image areas in wide-field microscopes and high-speed scanning microscopes, allowing for individual and simultaneous correction of aberrations, even at rapid scan speeds, enhancing image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element for optical-geometric separation of different image field regions and an adaptive element are arranged in the beam path
Implementation Method 2
adaptive element are arranged in the beam path... an adaptive element is arranged between the optical element for optical-geometric separation of different image field regions, which is arranged in the intermediate image plane, and the imaging optics element
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for correcting aberrations of a specimen surface that vary across the visual field on a microscope, including a lens, a tubular lens, an imaging optics element, a pupil stop disposed in the beam path, and at least one optical element for optical-geometric separation of different image field regions. The optical element for optical-geometric separation of different image field regions is arranged in or near the intermediate image plane. Each individual element of the optical element for optical-geometric separation of different image field regions performs a pupil imaging, defined by the dimensions of the covered area of the intermediate image, such that a distribution of sub-pupils occurs, wherein each sub-pupil is allocated to the angle distribution from the associated image field region.