Objective Optical System for Liquid Immersion Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical systems for liquid immersion face challenges in achieving high-resolution imaging across a wide wavelength bandwidth without causing chromatic aberration, particularly due to refraction issues at interfaces between different media, leading to deteriorated image quality.
Innovation Solution
An objective optical system comprising a convex reflection portion, a concave mirror, a cover member with orthogonal incidence and emission surfaces, and a lens barrel, which supports a liquid holding member to maintain liquid between the cover member and the sample, minimizing refraction and chromatic aberration through careful design of the emission surface curvature and liquid handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a refraction system objective lens is used for liquid immersion observation, then high resolution can be achieved, but chromatic aberration occurs across wide wavelength ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the refraction-based lens system with a reflection-based mirror system. The objective optical system uses a concave mirror and convex mirror arrangement to reflect light onto the sample, eliminating chromatic aberration while maintaining high imaging resolution across UV to near-infrared wavelengths. The reflection system is combined with liquid immersion to achieve both high resolution and wide wavelength coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a reflection objective mirror is used to eliminate chromatic aberration, then wide wavelength range imaging is possible, but refraction occurs at air-liquid interfaces causing focal position shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cover member as an intermediary element between the reflection objective mirror and the liquid medium. This cover member includes a planar portion that interfaces with the liquid, ensuring that light reflected by the mirror passes through the liquid without refraction at air-liquid interfaces. The cover member acts as a mediator that eliminates interface refraction while maintaining the reflection system's wide wavelength coverage capability.
3Measurement precision
If liquid immersion is used to improve resolution and reduce surface reflection, then deep sample observation is enabled, but refraction at interfaces causes image distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member serves as an intermediary that eliminates refraction at the air-liquid interface. By providing a planar surface that interfaces with the liquid and ensuring light passes through the liquid without interface refraction, the cover member prevents image distortion in the depth direction while maintaining the benefits of liquid immersion for high resolution and reduced surface reflection.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple objective lenses are used to cover different wavelength ranges, then comprehensive observation is possible, but image superimposition becomes difficult due to observation place discrepancies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal objective optical system that can handle the entire wavelength range from UV to near-infrared with a single reflection-based system. The combination of reflection optics and liquid immersion enables one objective system to perform multiple functions across different wavelengths, eliminating the need for multiple specialized lenses and simplifying the device while enabling comprehensive wavelength coverage.
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
Enables high-resolution imaging across a wide wavelength range from UV to near-infrared light without chromatic aberration, allowing for accurate superimposition of images obtained with different wavelengths and enhanced resolution through liquid immersion.
Implementation Method 1
a convex reflection portion which reflects light traveling toward a sample; a concave mirror which comprises a concave reflection portion which reflects light reflected by the convex reflection portion toward the sample
Implementation Method 2
the foregoing focal position of light which has passed through a liquid varies in accordance with the wavelength, thereby causing various aberrations such as a chromatic aberration
Data Source
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AI summary
An objective optical system (43) includes: a reflection surface (RS1) which reflects light traveling toward a sample (SP); a reflection surface (RS2) which reflects light reflected by the reflection surface (RS1) toward the sample (SP); and a transmission portion (TS) which is disposed on an optical path of light reflected by the reflection surface (RS2), which has a liquid contact surface coming into contact with liquid (WT) interposed between the liquid contact surface and the sample (SP), and of which the liquid contact surface is formed to be substantially orthogonal to the optical path of light reflected by the reflection surface (RS2).