Modulation Optical Element for Ultra-High Resolution Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopes face limitations in achieving ultra-high resolution due to the diffraction limit, and existing techniques for enhancing resolution, such as double resonance absorption processes, require precise alignment and complex optical adjustments, which are challenging to stabilize and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A microscope design incorporating a modulation optical element with radially divided optical multilayer regions and an adjustment element to modulate and adjust the optical properties of illumination light, ensuring uniform intensity distribution and phase compensation, allowing for the use of two-color illumination to suppress fluorescence and achieve resolution beyond the diffraction limit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If double resonance absorption process is used to achieve ultra-high resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but device complexity and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modulation optical element is divided into multiple regions (first region and second region) with different optical properties. The first region has optical properties that resonate with the first wavelength to suppress fluorescence, while the second region has optical properties that resonate with the second wavelength to enhance absorption, allowing independent optimization of each region's function
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the modulation optical element are assigned different local optical properties tailored to specific wavelength requirements. The first region is optimized for suppressing fluorescence at wavelength λ1, while the second region is optimized for enhancing absorption at wavelength λ2, enabling localized functional differentiation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wavelength illumination is used for double resonance absorption, then chemical analysis capability is improved, but alignment stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The modulation optical element is pre-configured with specific optical multilayer structures in different regions before use. The first region contains optical multilayers designed to resonate with the first wavelength, and the second region contains optical multilayers designed to resonate with the second wavelength, eliminating the need for complex real-time alignment adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The modulation optical element acts as an intermediary component that simultaneously handles multiple wavelength interactions. It mediates between the first wavelength illumination (for fluorescence suppression) and the second wavelength illumination (for absorption enhancement) through its spatially differentiated optical properties
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 design enables stable and flexible adjustment of optical properties, allowing for ultra-high resolution imaging by suppressing fluorescence and improving spatial resolution, while simplifying the alignment and stabilization of illumination lights, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional microscopes.
Implementation Method 1
a modulation optical element having a plurality of regions for spatially modulating illumination light
Implementation Method 2
allowing for the use of two-color illumination to suppress fluorescence and achieve resolution beyond the diffraction limit
Implementation Method 3
a modulation optical element having a plurality of regions for spatially modulating illumination light
Implementation Method 4
ensuring uniform intensity distribution and phase compensation
Implementation Method 5
a highly functional microscope which enables not only a control of contrasts of obtained images but also a scientific analysis thereof by illuminating a sample with multi-wavelength lights to induce double resonance absorption process
Implementation Method 6
illuminating a sample with multi-wavelength lights to induce double resonance absorption process
Implementation Method 7
allowing for the use of two-color illumination to suppress fluorescence and achieve resolution beyond the diffraction limit
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope capable of forming a beam spot in a desired shape on a focal plane is provided.The microscope is provided with a modulation optical element (38) having a plurality of regions for spatial modulation of illumination light and an adjustment element (37) for adjusting an optical property of the illumination light modulated by the modulation optical element.