Phase Filters for Scanning Microscope Wavelength Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase filters in microscopy are limited to a narrow wavelength band, making it difficult to achieve high-resolution imaging across a broad spectrum, especially in STED microscopy, as they can only implement one phase shift effectively for a specific wavelength, restricting their applicability to a narrow wavelength range.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with a support, such as a filter wheel or slider, housing multiple phase filters arranged in a matrix, allowing for adjustable placement in the beam path to achieve wavelength-independent focus formation, enabling high-resolution microscopy by optimizing both lateral and axial resolution through the use of phase filters that enhance either or both resolutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional phase filter is used to achieve high-resolution imaging at a specific wavelength, then the resolution is improved, but the applicability is limited to a narrow wavelength band
Solution Approach 1:
The phase filter is divided into multiple wavelength-specific phase filters that can be selectively positioned in the beam path using a filter wheel or slider mechanism. Each phase filter is optimized for a specific wavelength range, allowing the system to achieve high resolution across multiple wavelength bands by switching between appropriate filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase filter device is designed to perform multiple functions across different wavelength ranges. By incorporating multiple phase filters that can be selectively activated, the system achieves universal applicability for high-resolution imaging across a broad spectrum, from UV to visible light, rather than being limited to a single wavelength band.
2Manufacturing precision
If a single phase filter is used to optimize focus formation for one wavelength, then the focus quality is improved, but the resolution improvement is limited compared to using multiple phase filters
Solution Approach 1:
The phase filter is segmented into multiple wavelength-specific phase filters, each optimized for focus formation at its designated wavelength. This segmentation allows the system to achieve optimal focus quality across multiple wavelength bands simultaneously, thereby improving overall resolution compared to using a single phase filter.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single phase filter that provides partial optimization, the system employs multiple phase filters that collectively provide excessive (over-optimized) focus formation for each wavelength band. This excessive action ensures that each wavelength achieves optimal focus quality, leading to superior overall resolution.
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 enables high-resolution microscopy over a large wavelength spectrum by allowing precise adjustment and combination of phase filters to form a hollow sphere focus, improving both lateral and axial resolution simultaneously, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional phase filters.
Implementation Method 1
the phase filter effects a phase shift of the light beam
Implementation Method 2
This leads by means of interference effects to an extinguishing of the light beam in the central region
Implementation Method 3
a focusing optic with which the light from the source is focused on a pinhole aperture
Implementation Method 4
The focus of the illumination light beam is moved in an object plane with the help of a controllable beam deflection device (scanning device), generally by tilting two mirrors
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes: a focusing optic that focuses a light beam in a focal plane; at least two phase filters for selectively focusing the light beam and effecting a phase shift of the light beam; and a filter wheel supporting the at least two phase filters which are individually introducible along an optical axis of the light beam, where the filter wheel is rotationally adjusted in relation to the optical axis by a stepper motor and linearly adjusted in an r-direction along a plane of the filter wheel by a linear adjustment mechanism.