Microscope Optical Tweezers Adapter With Adjustable Prism Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapters for combining microscopes with optical tweezers do not adequately address optical parameters and facilitate manipulation, leading to suboptimal performance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
An adapter comprising a housing with optical connections, a carrier with adjustable positioning, a supporting body for optical fibers, and a collimating assembly, along with a reflecting optical prism, allows precise alignment and adjustment of optical paths, enabling seamless integration with microscopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an adapter is designed to integrate optical tweezers with a microscope, then optical manipulation capability is added, but the complexity of the device structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter merges the optical tweezers functionality with the microscope structure by integrating a carrier holding optical elements (prism, collimating lens) into the adapter housing. This combination allows both microscopy and optical trapping functions to be performed through a single integrated device, adding versatility while managing structural complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed as a universal interface that can be connected to standard microscope objectives and incorporates multiple functional elements (beam splitting prism, collimating assembly, positioning mechanisms) to perform both imaging and optical manipulation tasks. This multi-functional design enables the same adapter structure to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate specialized devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment of optical elements is implemented, then optical parameters are improved, but the difficulty of adjustment and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including threaded adjustment screws that allow precise positioning of the carrier and optical elements. These mechanical adjustment means enable users to dynamically fine-tune the alignment of the prism and collimating lens during setup and operation, achieving high optical precision while maintaining operational flexibility through adjustable rather than fixed positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier acts as an intermediary component between the adapter housing and the optical elements (prism, collimating lens). It provides a standardized mounting interface with positioning features that simplify the alignment process, mediating between the rough adjustment of the overall adapter position and the fine adjustment of individual optical element orientations and locations.
3Volume of moving object
If the adapter maintains compact size, then spatial requirements are reduced, but the ease of manipulation and access for adjustment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter employs a nested structure where the carrier containing optical elements is housed within the adapter body, which itself connects to the microscope objective. The collimating assembly and other components are arranged in a compact, space-efficient layout that fits within the constrained volume of the adapter while maintaining accessibility of adjustment mechanisms through strategically placed access points and external adjustment screws.
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
The adapter ensures high precision, easy handling, and maintains most original microscope functions while providing enhanced optical tweezers capabilities, with improved beam quality and reduced spatial requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an optical prism is attached to the carrier in the cavity of the housing, said optical prism facing the collimating assembly with its reflecting surface for reflecting at least a part of a radiation beam collimated by the collimating assembly to the region of the opening for optical connection with the objective
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Adapter for forming optical tweezers connectable to a microscope, comprising: - a housing (1) comprising a cavity into which openings open, said openings being an opening for optical connection with an objective, an opening for optical connection with the body of a microscope arranged opposite to it, and a side opening arranged in a side wall of the housing (1), - a carrier (6) arranged in the cavity of the housing (1), - a supporting body (3) with a cylindrical through-cavity, wherein an open end of the cavity of the supporting body (3) opens into the side opening of the housing (1), and the other is adapted for insertion of an ending of an optical fibre (32), - and a collimating assembly arranged in the supporting body (3) slidably in the direction of the axis of the cylindrical cavity, wherein an optical prism (7) is attached to the carrier (6) in the cavity of the housing (1), the optical prism (7) facing the collimating assembly with its reflective surface to reflect at least a part of a light beam collimated by the collimating assembly into the region of the opening for optical connection with an objective.