Optical Reflector Assembly for Multi-Directional Light Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light-sheet microscopes rely on complex and error-prone mechanical mechanisms to generate multiple light sheets, which are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with a reflector arrangement that optically generates multiple light sheets by reflecting a single light beam multiple times, producing partial beams that are either parallel and spaced or emanate from a common starting point, using a beam path that includes beam splitters and mirrors to achieve differently oriented light sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical mechanisms (moving mirrors) are used to generate multiple light sheets, then multiple light sheets can be generated, but the device becomes complex, expensive, and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical moving mirrors with a purely optical system using a beam splitter and fixed mirrors. The beam splitter divides a single light beam into multiple partial beams that are then reflected by fixed mirrors to create multiple light sheets, eliminating mechanical complexity while maintaining the ability to generate multiple illumination planes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments a single light beam into multiple partial beams using a beam splitter. Each partial beam is then directed by fixed mirrors to illuminate different layers of the sample, allowing multiple light sheets to be generated from one source without mechanical movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical mechanisms are used to generate multiple light sheets, then multiple illumination directions can be achieved, but reliability decreases due to wear and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical moving parts by using a beam splitter combined with fixed mirrors arranged at different angles. This optical configuration provides multiple illumination directions with the same reliability as static components, removing wear and mechanical failure modes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical mechanisms are used to generate multiple light sheets, then dynamic light sheet generation is possible, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical systems with a cost-effective optical arrangement using a beam splitter and fixed mirrors. This configuration enables dynamic light sheet generation through optical means, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter creates multiple copies of the light beam simultaneously, directing them along different paths to form multiple light sheets. This optical copying approach is more cost-effective than mechanical systems that would require multiple separate light sources or complex moving components.
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
The reflector arrangement generates light sheets more reliably, quickly, and cost-effectively without mechanical wear, ensuring precise and focused illumination with reduced shadows and refractions.
Implementation Method 1
the beam path in the reflector arrangement begins at the beam inlet and passes the beam outlet several times, wherein at each passage of the beam path a partial beam is coupled out of the reflector arrangement at the beam outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical device (100) for a microscope (102), more particularly a light sheet microscope (104), to a retrofitting set (168) for a light sheet microscope, to the use of a reflector assembly (106) in a light sheet microscope and to a method for producing light sheets (152). According to the invention, in order to produce a plurality of differently oriented light sheets (152) without the use of wear-prone mechanisms requiring elaborate adjustment, the optical device has a reflector assembly (106), which comprises: - a beam entrance (108); - a beam exit (112); and a beam path (114) extending within the reflector assembly. At the beam entrance, a light beam (110) can be coupled into the reflector assembly. The beam path begins in the reflector assembly at the beam entrances and passes through the beam exit multiple times. Upon each passage (116) of the beam path, a partial beam (118) is coupled out of the reflector assembly at the beam exit. The partial beams coupled out at the beam exit either are mutually parallel and spaced apart or are directed out of the reflector assembly proceeding from a common starting point (1000). The partial beams are produced purely optically without mechanical components and are used to produce differently oriented light sheets when the partial beams are fed into a light sheet optical system (150).