Phase Contrast Microscope Optical Component with Wavelength-Independent Phase Lag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase contrast microscopes struggle to provide clear observations of colorless living cells by only offering contrast based on light and shade, as they rely on filters that restrict the observation to specific wavelengths, limiting the visibility of color information and being ineffective with wide-range wavelength light sources.
Innovation Solution
An optical component comprising two optical mediums arranged side by side, where the first medium changes the phase of light beams according to wavelength, and the second medium adjusts the phase difference to be constant across multiple wavelengths, allowing for phase lag across a wide range of wavelengths, thus enabling the observation of specimens with color information without the need for filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single optical medium is used to create phase lag, then the phase lag cannot be constant across different wavelengths due to dispersion, but using multiple optical mediums arranged side by side enables constant phase lag across multiple wavelengths while preserving color information
Solution Approach 1:
The optical medium is divided into multiple segments (first and second optical mediums) arranged side by side. Each segment has different optical properties that when combined, achieve constant phase lag across multiple wavelengths. This segmentation allows the system to handle different wavelength components separately while maintaining overall phase consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical component have different local optical properties. The first optical medium has one set of refractive index characteristics while the second optical medium has different characteristics. This local quality variation enables each region to contribute differently to the overall phase modulation, achieving wavelength-independent phase lag.
2Measurement precision
If a colored filter is used to observe specimens at a predetermined wavelength, then a phase lag of one quarter wavelength can be achieved, but color information of the specimen is lost and only thickness of plain color is visible
Solution Approach 1:
The optical component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the necessary phase lag for phase contrast microscopy while also preserving and transmitting color information across a wide wavelength range. The multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate filters, allowing both phase contrast and color observation to occur together.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters (refractive indices) of the different optical mediums to achieve wavelength-independent phase lag. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the system maintains constant phase difference across multiple wavelengths, enabling color information preservation while achieving accurate phase contrast.
3Ease of operation
If a phase plate with a thin membrane is used to advance or delay phase by one quarter wavelength, then phase contrast can be achieved, but the dispersion of the membrane material prevents constant phase lag across wide range wavelengths
Solution Approach 1:
The optical component uses a composite structure consisting of multiple optical mediums with different material properties. This composite approach allows the system to compensate for the dispersion effects of individual materials. By combining materials with complementary dispersion characteristics, the overall system achieves wavelength-independent phase lag, extending adaptability across wide wavelength ranges while maintaining ease of operation.
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 allows for the observation of specimens with both phase and color information, enhancing the clarity and accuracy of microscopic observations by maintaining consistent phase lag across various wavelengths, simplifying the microscope configuration and eliminating the need for filters.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical medium portion which outputs each of said light beams of at least two wavelengths after changing a phase thereof according to the wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a second optical medium portion which outputs each of said light beams of at least two wavelengths after changing a phase thereof according to the wavelength so that difference between a phase of the light beam outputted from said first optical medium portion and a phase of the light beam outputted from said second optical medium portion is approximately constant
Data Source
AI summary
In order to furnish an optical component and a phase contrast microscope which can indicate difference of phases of a specimen including information of frequency and color, at least two optical mediums are arranged side by side so that a constant difference of the phases is generated.