Multiplexed Brillouin Microscopy Epi-Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Brillouin microscopy systems face limitations in acquisition speed, particularly when mapping large areas or characterizing rapidly varying phenomena, due to non-epi-detection geometries and combined microscopy and spectroscopy parts in free-space.
Innovation Solution
The development of multiplexed Brillouin microscopy systems that enable simultaneous processing of multiple input beams or modes, integrated in an epi-detection configuration, using optical fibers for alignment and operation, and combining with other imaging modalities for enhanced mechanical and structural characterization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If non-epi-detection geometries are used for multiplexing, then spectral analysis capability is improved, but sample accessibility complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional detection geometry by using epi-detection (illumination and detection from the same side) instead of transmission geometry, while maintaining multiplexing capability through axial multiplexing of multiple input beams. This resolves the contradiction by achieving spectral analysis without requiring sample accessibility from two sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces axial multiplexing by adding a third dimension (depth/axial position) to the beam arrangement, allowing multiple input beams to be focused at different axial positions within the sample. This enables spectral analysis capability while maintaining epi-detection geometry, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If microscopy and spectroscopy parts are combined in free-space, then spectral decomposition is improved, but instrument alignment and deployment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary medium to couple the microscopy and spectroscopy parts. The fibers serve as a mediator that transmits optical signals between the two modules, enabling spectral decomposition while simplifying alignment and deployment. This resolves the contradiction by providing a flexible connection method that maintains spectral analysis capability without requiring complex free-space optical alignment.
3Ease of operation
If single point-by-point scanning is used, then epi-detection geometry is maintained, but acquisition speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination beam into multiple separate input beams that can be simultaneously focused at different axial positions within the sample. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple points along the axial direction while maintaining epi-detection geometry, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and productivity by enabling simultaneous multi-point analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous acquisition across multiple axial positions by simultaneously processing multiple input beams in parallel. Instead of sequential point-by-point scanning, the system continuously collects spectral information from multiple depths concurrently, maintaining epi-detection geometry while dramatically improving acquisition speed through parallel processing.
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 approach allows for faster and more efficient mechanical characterization of materials by enabling simultaneous analysis of multiple points and modes, reducing sample preparation complexity, and improving instrument design robustness and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
Brillouin microscopy, which is based on light scattering and has the capability of probing mechanical properties of materials in a non-contact manner
Implementation Method 2
optical fibers can be employed to facilitate operation, alignment, and/or adoption within existing microscopy architectures
Data Source
AI summary
A multiplexed Brillouin microscopy system can include an optical assembly, a multiplexing module, and a Brillouin spectrometer. The optical assembly can direct interrogating light to a sample along an illumination optical path and can collect Brillouin scattered light from the sample along a detection optical path. The illumination and detection optical paths can be on a same side of the sample. The multiplexing module can receive the collected Brillouin scattered light from the optical assembly and can process the collected Brillouin scattered light into one or more input beams. The Brillouin spectrometer can receive the one or more input beams from the multiplexing module and can simultaneously process the one or more input beams for detection. In some embodiments, the system can be configured for axial multiplexing with parallel processing, mode multiplexing with parallel processing, or mode multiplexing without parallel processing.