Oblique Optical Transmission System Correcting Spherical Aberration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopic techniques face challenges with spherical aberrations and coma when light passes obliquely through sample carriers or cover glasses, particularly in high-throughput analysis of small samples, due to the inclined position of the focal plane relative to the plane-parallel plate, which limits resolution and compatibility with standard sample preparations.
Innovation Solution
The optical transmission system positions the sample within the focal length of the lens with the intermediate image plane and object plane on the same side, creating a virtual relay that corrects aberrations using a minimal number of rotationally symmetrical lenses, including at least one with an aspherical surface, allowing for high numerical apertures and wide angular correction, suitable for use with existing standard lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If light passes obliquely through the sample carrier or cover glass to enable high-throughput analysis, then productivity is improved, but spherical aberrations and coma occur leading to degraded measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical transmission system with specially designed lenses as an intermediary between the light path and the sample carrier. This system includes at least one lens positioned to receive light from the sample area and form an intermediate image, with the lens optical axis forming a non-zero angle with the sample carrier normal. The transmission system acts as a mediator that corrects the oblique light path aberrations while maintaining the high-throughput configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by positioning the object plane and intermediate image plane on the same side of the lens, creating a virtual relay configuration. The lens is positioned within its focal length from the sample area, and the object plane forms a non-zero angle with the lens optical axis. This parameter change enables correction of spherical aberrations and coma while maintaining oblique illumination for high-throughput analysis.
2Device complexity
If standard lenses are used with oblique illumination, then device complexity is minimized, but imaging quality deteriorates due to extreme spherical aberrations and coma
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the optical transmission system with specific lens characteristics positioned at specific locations. The at least one lens has particular optical properties and is positioned within its focal length from the sample area, with the object plane forming a non-zero angle with the lens optical axis. This localized optimization corrects aberrations in the critical imaging region without requiring complete system redesign.
3Reliability
If the object plane and intermediate image plane are positioned on opposite sides of the lens, then real image formation is achieved, but the system cannot correct aberrations for oblique illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional lens arrangement by positioning both the object plane and intermediate image plane on the same side of the lens, creating a virtual relay configuration. The lens is positioned within its focal length from the sample area, and the object plane forms a non-zero angle with the lens optical axis. This inverted arrangement enables simultaneous aberration correction and image formation for oblique illumination.
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 solution effectively corrects spherical aberrations and coma, enabling high-resolution imaging of small samples with high numerical apertures and compact system design, compatible with standard microscopes and sample preparations, while maintaining cost-effectiveness by using existing lenses and allowing for versatile angular adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical transmission system with at least one lens, which forms a selected area 3 of a sample 4, which is arranged in a first medium 5 in an object plane
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical transmission system with at least one lens that is designed to project an image of a selected region (3) of a specimen (4), which is disposed in a first medium (5) in an object plane (9) on or in a specimen carrier formed at least partially as a plane-parallel plate (6), from the object plane (9) into an intermediate image plane (10) in a second medium (7), wherein, in the projection of the image, the plane-parallel plate (6) is between the optical transmission system and the region (3) of the specimen (4), and wherein the object plane (9) and the intermediate image plane (10) form an angle of 0° to 90° with an optical axis (8) of the transmission system. The invention also relates to microscope that uses such a transmission system. In the case of such an optical transmission system, it is positioned in relation to the region (3) of the specimen (4) in such a way that the region (3) of the specimen (4) is located within the focal length of the lens (1) of the optical transmission system that is closest to the specimen. In this case, the intermediate image plane (10) and the object plane (9) are located on the same side of the optical transmission system and the intermediate image is a virtual image.