Pre-Aligned Conditioning Optics for Multi-Source Microscopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vignetting in spectroscopic microscopes leads to non-uniform illumination and skewed spectroscopic measurements due to off-angle arrangements of optical elements, requiring time-consuming adjustments when light sources are changed.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system with pre-aligned optical assemblies that accommodate multiple light sources, using off-axis aspherical reflectors to minimize pupil image aberrations and ensure uniform illumination, allowing easy interchangeability without further alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If off-angle arrangements of optical elements are used to accommodate multiple light sources, then adaptability to different light sources is improved, but vignetting increases causing non-uniform illumination and reduced signal strength
Solution Approach 1:
Optical assemblies are pre-aligned during manufacturing to critically image the light source output pupil to the microscope input pupil. This preliminary alignment eliminates the need for time-consuming field adjustments when changing light sources while maintaining uniform illumination and minimizing vignetting effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the optical path into separate interchangeable optical assemblies, each optimized for specific light sources. This segmentation allows each assembly to be independently pre-aligned for its designated light source, achieving both adaptability and uniform illumination without compromising the other.
2Adaptability or versatility
If off-axis angles are increased to accommodate different light input configurations, then versatility is improved, but light loss increases leading to reduced signal strength
Solution Approach 1:
The optical assemblies are designed with specific off-axis angles and optical element positions that are optimized for each light source type. By carefully controlling these parameters during pre-alignment, the system accommodates different light sources while minimizing light loss through proper pupil matching and reduced vignetting.
3Illumination intensity
If optical elements are realigned to reduce vignetting when light sources are changed, then illumination uniformity is improved, but time consumption increases due to required adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
Optical assemblies are pre-aligned during manufacturing to critically image the light source output pupil to the microscope input pupil. This preliminary alignment eliminates the need for time-consuming field adjustments when changing light sources while maintaining uniform illumination and minimizing vignetting effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-aligned optical assemblies are designed to be self-contained units that automatically maintain proper alignment when installed. The system serves itself by eliminating the need for operator intervention in alignment procedures, allowing quick interchange of light sources without time-consuming adjustments.
4Loss of energy
If pre-aligned optical assemblies are used to minimize vignetting, then signal strength is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple optical assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the optical path into separate interchangeable optical assemblies, each optimized for specific light sources. This segmentation allows each assembly to be independently pre-aligned for its designated light source, achieving both adaptability and uniform illumination without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical assemblies are designed with universal mounting interfaces and standardized pupil matching that allows them to be interchangeably installed in the same microscope position. This multi-functionality reduces the perceived complexity by providing a unified approach to accommodating different light sources despite having multiple specialized assemblies.
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 system achieves high light throughput and uniform illumination across the specimen, reducing vignetting effects and enhancing signal strength for accurate spectroscopic measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The optical assembly includes a set of optical elements, e.g., off-axis aspherical reflectors, that are pre-aligned for the light source to condition an output light beam from the light source through an imaging pupil of a source objective
Data Source
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AI summary
A microscope for examining a specimen configured to receive a first light source or a second light source. The first light source being configured to emit a first output light through a first pupil, and the second light source being configured to emit a second output light through a second pupil that is different than the first pupil. The microscope comprises a frame, a source objective, and first and second optical assemblies. The first and second optical assemblies are removably connectable to the frame. The first optical assembly comprises a first set of optical elements that are configured to pass the first output light to an imaging pupil of the source objective, and the second optical assembly comprises a second set of optical elements configured to pass the second output light to the imaging pupil.