Micro-spectrometry Autofocus via Multi-Field Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical hardware autofocus systems in microspectrometers are time-consuming and prone to errors when dealing with rough or diffusive sample surfaces, making it difficult to select a region of interest (ROI) for precise Raman or photoluminescence measurements.
Innovation Solution
An optical micro-spectrometry system that includes a low and high magnification objective, an imaging system for acquiring images with different fields of view, a processing system for determining focus positions, and a user interface for easy navigation and selection of the ROI, allowing for fast and precise positioning of the excitation light beam on the sample surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical hardware autofocus systems are used for point-by-point measurement, then focus accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases from minutes to several hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large sample area into multiple smaller sub-areas or regions of interest (ROIs). Instead of performing point-by-point autofocus measurements across the entire large area, the system performs autofocus only on selected sub-areas, dramatically reducing the total number of measurements required while maintaining focus accuracy where it matters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary navigation and ROI selection before performing spectrometric measurements. The system first acquires an overview image, allows user navigation to identify interesting regions, and then performs autofocus and measurements only on those pre-selected regions, avoiding unnecessary measurements in uninteresting areas.
2Measurement precision
If optical hardware autofocus systems perform point-by-point measurements, then focus precision is improved, but the system becomes sensitive to diffusive, semi-transparent, inclined, or relief surfaces causing incorrect results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary navigation system using overview images and ROI selection that mediates between the user and the autofocus system. Instead of directly applying point-by-point autofocus across the entire sample, the system first presents a navigable overview, allowing the user to identify suitable measurement regions, and then applies autofocus only to those selected regions, avoiding problematic areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing and measurement strategies to different regions of the sample. Instead of uniformly applying point-by-point autofocus everywhere, the system performs autofocus selectively on regions of interest that are identified through navigation, adapting the measurement approach to local sample characteristics and user interests.
3Measurement precision
If optical hardware autofocus systems are used, then focus capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the imaging system multi-functional by using it for both navigation/overview visualization and for autofocus measurements. The same camera and optics used to capture the overview image and enable user navigation are also used to perform the actual autofocus measurements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated autofocus hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own imaging capabilities to serve dual purposes: the imaging system provides both the navigation interface and the measurement data, making the system self-sufficient and reducing the need for additional specialized components for autofocus functionality.
4Area of stationary object
If optical hardware autofocus systems perform measurements on the entire field of view, then complete sample coverage is improved, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large sample area into multiple smaller sub-areas or regions of interest (ROIs). Instead of performing autofocus measurements across the entire large area, the system performs autofocus only on selected sub-areas, dramatically reducing the total number of measurements required while maintaining focus accuracy where it matters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs autofocus measurements on a partial subset of the total sample area rather than the complete field of view. By identifying and measuring only the regions of interest through navigation, the system performs fewer measurements than would be required for complete coverage, achieving sufficient results with partial action.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an optical micro-spectrometry system including an optical microscope, a spectrometry system and an optical system adapted to direct an excitation light beam on the sample through the at least one microscope objective and to collect a Raman or PL light beam from a sample. The optical micro-spectrometry system includes an imaging system configured for acquiring a first image and a second image of the sample, by reflection or transmission of an illumination beam from a sample surface, the first image having a large field of view and the second image having a small field of view, a processing system configured for determining an area in the first image corresponding to the second image, a display system configured for displaying the first image, the second image, and a third image representing the area in overlay on the first image.