Microscopic Optical Manipulation With Wobble-Based Speckle Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopic optical manipulation systems face challenges in effectively removing bothersome light patterns caused by laser coherence, which leads to non-homogeneous illumination of samples.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a controllable wobble device in the illumination beam path to move illumination patterns back and forth within the sample plane, homogenizing light distribution over time, and a spatial light modulator to control illumination patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If laser light is used as the light source for illumination, then high brightness and coherence are achieved, but bothersome speckle structures and non-homogeneous illumination patterns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by moving the illumination pattern back and forth across the sample plane using a wobble device. This dynamic movement transforms the static speckle pattern into a time-averaged homogeneous illumination, where the harmful speckle structures are swept across different locations and effectively averaged out over the exposure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The wobble device performs periodic back-and-forth motion of the illumination pattern. This periodic action ensures that each point on the sample receives light from multiple speckle positions over time, resulting in homogeneous illumination while maintaining the benefits of laser coherence and brightness.
2Ease of operation
If a spatial light modulator is used to create structured illumination patterns, then precise control over illumination distribution is achieved, but the complexity of the illumination system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial light modulator serves multiple functions: it creates the initial structured illumination pattern, works in conjunction with the wobble device to achieve homogeneous illumination, and allows for flexible pattern generation. This multi-functionality justifies its inclusion while maintaining system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial light modulator acts as an intermediary between the laser source and the sample, transforming the coherent laser beam into a controllable structured illumination pattern. It mediates the transition from simple laser light to complex structured patterns, enabling precise control without requiring direct manipulation of the laser itself.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the illumination pattern is moved back and forth using a wobble device, then homogeneous illumination is achieved, but the illumination time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wobble device employs rapid mechanical vibration or oscillation to move the illumination pattern back and forth. This high-frequency vibration achieves homogeneous illumination through time-averaging within a very short duration, minimizing the time penalty while ensuring complete homogenization across the sample area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary structuring of the illumination pattern using the spatial light modulator before applying the wobble motion. This preliminary action creates an optimized pattern that requires minimal wobble amplitude and time to achieve homogeneity, reducing the overall illumination time while maintaining 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 approach allows for highly homogeneous illumination of sample regions, effectively reducing or eliminating bothersome light patterns, while maintaining precise control over illumination patterns.
Implementation Method 1
the manipulation light is modulated by the spatial light modulator for the purpose of realizing an illumination pattern in the sample plane
Implementation Method 2
the illumination beam path comprises a controllable wobble device for moving an illumination pattern back and forth within the sample plane
Implementation Method 3
an illumination beam path with a microscope objective for guiding the manipulation light onto and/or into a sample to be manipulated located in a sample plane
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for microscopic optical manipulation of a sample, having a light source for transmitting manipulation light, an illumination beam path with a microscope objective for guiding the manipulation light onto and/or into a sample located in a sample plane, wherein a spatial light modulator is arranged in the illumination beam path, in or near a pupil plane, and a controller at least configured to control the spatial light modulator for implementing illumination patterns in the sample plane. A controllable wobble device is present for moving an illumination pattern within the sample plane and the control device is configured to control the wobble device so that amounts of light in each case radiated onto individual points in an irradiated region in the sample plane are homogenized over a time interval.