Optical Detection Device Demagnifying Light Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical detection devices face limitations in achieving high resolution beyond the diffraction limit, particularly when using light sources with broad emission angles and requiring complex alignment and costly components.
Innovation Solution
An optical reduction system is integrated in the beam path to demagnify the light pattern from the light source array, utilizing a collimation element and optical elements like lenses to converge and focus light onto a small examination region, allowing for higher resolution imaging without the need for complex alignment or expensive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional light sources with broad emission angles are used, then the device structure becomes simpler, but the optical resolution deteriorates and cannot achieve nanometer resolution beyond the diffraction limit
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented into a light source array with multiple individually addressable light sources arranged in a matrix pattern. This segmentation allows precise spatial control of illumination, enabling super-resolution imaging by selectively activating specific light source elements to illuminate different regions of the sample, thereby achieving nanometer-scale resolution without requiring complex alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs single-wavelength light sources instead of broadband sources, changing the spectral parameter to minimize diffraction effects. By using monochromatic light at a specific wavelength, the diffraction limit is reduced, enabling higher spatial resolution. This parameter change simplifies the optical system by eliminating the need for spectral management components while improving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If complex alignment and expensive optical components are used, then optical resolution improves, but the device becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses software-controlled activation of light sources in the array to achieve precise illumination patterns without requiring mechanical alignment mechanisms. The electronic control of light source activation provides self-alignment capabilities, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustment components and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining high optical resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment systems with electronic control of the light source array. Instead of using mechanically adjustable optical components to achieve precise illumination, the system electronically selects and activates specific light sources to create the desired illumination pattern, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If white light is used, then broader spectral coverage is achieved, but the diffraction limit increases due to longer wavelength components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameter by using single-wavelength light sources instead of white light. This parameter change reduces the diffraction limit by eliminating longer wavelength components that would otherwise increase diffraction effects. The single-wavelength approach maintains high optical resolution while still providing versatility through software-controlled illumination patterns.
4Ease of manufacture
If the optical reduction system uses small dimensions and cost-effective elements, then device cost and size are reduced, but achieving high resolution becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a segmented light source array with individually addressable elements to achieve high resolution through computational illumination patterns rather than requiring expensive, large-diameter optical components. This segmentation approach enables cost-effective implementation while maintaining nanometer-scale resolution capabilities through software-controlled light source activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex, expensive optical reduction components with a software-controlled light source array and simple optical elements. By using electronic control to create precise illumination patterns, the system achieves high resolution without requiring large, costly optical components, thereby improving ease of manufacture and cost-effectiveness.
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 configuration enables nanometer resolution imaging using normal human-visible light, simplifies the device structure, and allows for cost-effective, high-resolution examinations beyond the diffraction limit, with the option for optical magnification to match the light detection device's capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an optical reduction system being configured to optically demagnify a light pattern emitted by the light sources of the light source array such that the examination region is irradiated by a light pattern that has been demagnified
Implementation Method 2
the collimation element is configured to optically converge the divergent light emitted by the light sources of the light source array
Implementation Method 3
a light detection device configured to generate an electrical signal in response to light that reaches a light detection side of the light detection device
Data Source
AI summary
An optical detection device having a light detection device and a light emission device is arranged such that the light detection side of the light detection device is optically coupled to a light emission side of a light source array of the light emission device via an examination region. The light detection device generates an electrical signal n response to light that reaches the light detection side. The light source array includes a plurality of separately actuatable electric light sources which are arranged in a matrix structure or two dimensional geometric arrangement. The object to be examined can be arranged in a desired fashion, and the light emitted by the light sources radiates via the examination region on the light detection side of the light detection device. An optical reduction is system is arranged in the beam path from the light emission side to the examination region and is configured to demagnify the light pattern which is emitted by the light sources. Thus, the examination region is irradiated by a light pattern that has been demagnified with respect to the light pattern emitted.