Polarization-Selective Gratings for Microscopy Field of View Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopes have limited fields-of-view (FOVs) due to optical aberrations, restricting the sampling area and requiring additional lens components or physical sample movement, which increases costs and imaging time.
Innovation Solution
The use of polarization-selective gratings, modulated via electric fields or paired polarization modulating devices, to direct an incident electromagnetic field, allowing for enhanced FOV acquisition by applying discrete angular displacements to the electromagnetic field, thereby increasing the sampled volume during image acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If additional lens components are added to compensate for optical aberrations to increase FOV, then the FOV is improved, but the system cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/optical components (additional lenses) with an electro-optical modulation system. Polarization-selective gratings modulated by electric fields are used to achieve beam displacement and FOV enhancement without adding physical lens components, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining improved FOV
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state parameters of the optical system by using electrically modulated polarization-selective gratings. By controlling the polarization state and angular displacement through electric fields, the system achieves variable FOV without physical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between FOV improvement and system complexity
2Area of stationary object
If physical sample transport is used to increase effective FOV, then the FOV is improved, but the imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sample transport with electro-optical beam manipulation. By using electrically modulated polarization-selective gratings to displace the imaging beam angularly, the system achieves FOV enhancement without moving the sample, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with physical transport while maintaining expanded FOV
3Area of stationary object
If conventional microscopes are used without FOV enhancement, then the device complexity is low, but the FOV is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the polarization-selective grating system universal by designing it to work with existing microscope hardware. The electro-optical modulator can be integrated into conventional microscopy systems to provide FOV enhancement while maintaining compatibility with standard components, achieving multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between FOV improvement and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces polarization-selective gratings as an intermediary component between the light source and sample. This intermediary element enables FOV enhancement through electric field modulation without requiring fundamental changes to the conventional microscope architecture, thereby improving FOV while minimizing increases in system complexity
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 enhances the FOV by up to 2N times, where N is the number of gratings, without mechanical disruption, enabling high-frame rate imaging with existing hardware.
Implementation Method 1
directing an incident electromagnetic field through a plurality of polarization-selective gratings. In some cases, the gratings are modulated via a directly applied electric field or indirectly via paired polarization modulating devices
Implementation Method 2
the gratings are modulated via a directly applied electric field or indirectly via paired polarization modulating devices
Implementation Method 3
each of the polarization-selective gratings is configured to apply a discrete amount of angular displacement to the incident electromagnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides optical image acquisition methods and devices for microscopy systems that enhance the field-of-view during image acquisition. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the methods and devices for enhancing the field-of-view of a sample during image acquisition in an optical imaging system include directing an incident electromagnetic field through a plurality of polarization-selective gratings, where each of the polarization-selective gratings is configured to apply a discrete amount of angular displacement to the incident electromagnetic field in a direction transverse or axial to the optical system's electromagnetic axis, resulting in an enhanced field-of-view during image acquisition.