Optical Autofocus Assembly for Stray Reflection Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autofocus systems in optical sample analysis often require dedicated components for focus tracking, increasing manufacturing costs and the likelihood of system failure due to additional components, and suffer from stray reflections that interfere with focus tracking algorithms.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method and assembly that uses an objective and reflective surfaces to direct autofocus light towards a sensor while preventing irrelevant reflections, utilizing a lateral displacement prism to form divergent autofocus beams that steer relevant reflections to a predefined sensor region, and includes a beam splitter to enhance focus-tracking accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated components are used for focus tracking, then focus tracking functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the objective lens and existing optical components to serve both sample analysis and focus tracking functions. The objective lens focuses both analysis light and autofocus light, while beam splitters and reflective surfaces direct different light paths without requiring separate dedicated focus tracking components. This reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining focus tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the focus tracking system with the existing optical analysis system by integrating beam splitters, reflective surfaces, and the objective lens into a unified optical path. The autofocus light and sample analysis light share common optical components, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components and reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated components are used for focus tracking, then focus tracking functionality is improved, but system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By making the objective lens and optical components multi-functional for both analysis and focus tracking, the patent reduces the total number of components that could potentially fail. This integration eliminates the reliability penalty associated with additional dedicated components while preserving focus tracking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration of focus tracking into the existing optical path merges previously separate systems into one unified structure. This reduces the number of interfaces and connection points where failures could occur, thereby improving overall system reliability while maintaining focus tracking accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If more optical components are added for focus tracking, then focus tracking functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality where the objective lens handles both sample analysis and autofocus, and beam splitters direct different light paths. This functional integration reduces the number of discrete components needed for focus tracking while maintaining full functionality, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses beam splitters and reflective surfaces as intermediary elements that enable focus tracking without requiring direct integration of complex focus tracking hardware. These intermediaries redirect light paths efficiently, allowing the existing objective lens to serve dual purposes with minimal additional components.
4Measurement precision
If stray reflections are present, then focus tracking algorithms are interfered with, but blocking all reflections would prevent focus tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using wavelength-selective beam splitters and reflective surfaces that are transparent to specific wavelengths (autofocus light) while blocking others (emission light). This selective transparency allows the system to distinguish between useful autofocus reflections and harmful stray reflections, processing them differently based on their wavelength characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes wavelength differentiation (analogous to color changes) where beam splitters are designed to be transparent to specific wavelength ranges corresponding to autofocus light while blocking emission light wavelengths. This spectral separation allows the system to accept beneficial reflections at certain wavelengths while rejecting harmful reflections at other wavelengths.
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 integrates focus tracking into optical systems more cost-effectively and reduces interference from stray reflections, improving focus-tracking ability and accuracy in optical sample analysis.
Implementation Method 1
forming, using a lateral displacement prism, left autofocus light and right autofocus light that diverge at a predetermined angle from each other
Implementation Method 2
directing, using an objective and a first reflective surface, first autofocus light toward a sensor, the first autofocus light reflected from a first surface of a substrate
Implementation Method 3
includes a beam splitter to enhance focus-tracking accuracy
Data Source
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AI summary
A method comprises: directing, using an objective and a first reflective surface, first autofocus light toward a sensor, the first autofocus light reflected from a first surface of a substrate; preventing second autofocus light from reaching the sensor, the second autofocus light reflected from a second surface of the substrate; and directing, using the objective and a second reflective surface, emission light toward the sensor, the emission light originating from a sample at the substrate.