Retroreflector Light Sheet Optics for Wear-Free Multi-Sheet Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light sheet microscopy systems rely on expensive and error-prone mechanisms with moving elements to generate multiple light sheets, which are difficult to adjust and prone to wear.
Innovation Solution
An optical device and retrofit kit using a retroreflector that collimates light beams, allowing them to converge to a common point with path lengths dependent on the angle of incidence, generating multiple light sheets without mechanical wear and complex devices, suitable for pulsed light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanisms with moving elements (such as movable mirrors) are used to generate multiple light sheets, then multiple light sheets can be generated, but the device becomes expensive, difficult to adjust, and prone to wear and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical moving elements (movable mirrors) with a static retroreflector that uses optical principles to generate multiple light sheets. The retroreflector contains multiple reflective surfaces arranged at specific angles, allowing light to be reflected in multiple directions without any moving parts, thereby eliminating wear and mechanical complexity while maintaining the ability to generate multiple light sheets
Solution Approach 2:
The retroreflector is divided into multiple reflective surfaces (first retroreflective surface, second retroreflective surface, etc.) each oriented at different angles. Each surface generates a separate light sheet by reflecting light at different angles, allowing multiple light sheets to be generated simultaneously from a single light source without mechanical movement
2Ease of operation
If mechanisms with moving elements are used to scan the sample, then shadows can be avoided, but the mechanisms are expensive and difficult to adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning mechanisms with a static retroreflector that inherently provides angular diversity through its multiple reflective surfaces. The retroreflector's fixed geometric structure provides the scanning function optically, eliminating the need for movable mirrors and complex adjustment mechanisms while maintaining the ability to illuminate from multiple angles
Solution Approach 2:
The retroreflector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates multiple light sheets, provides angular diversity for shadow avoidance, and eliminates the need for separate scanning mechanisms. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall system while maintaining all necessary capabilities
3Ease of manufacture
If light sheets are generated using conventional methods, then illumination can be provided, but wear-prone mechanisms and complex optical devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wear-prone mechanical scanning mechanisms with a static retroreflector that uses fixed reflective surfaces to generate multiple light sheets. This eliminates moving parts that would wear out, simplify the manufacturing process, and improve reliability while maintaining the ability to provide multi-angle illumination
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
Enables the generation of multiple light sheets instantly and wear-free, with sharp focus over long path lengths, reducing shadows and interference by using collimated light rays to create incoherent and staggered light sheets.
Implementation Method 1
a retroreflector which has a beam inlet at which the light beams are coupled into the retroreflector, and a beam outlet at which the light beams exit from the retroreflector, wherein the path length traveled by the light beams in the retroreflector between the beam inlet and the beam outlet is dependent on the angle of incidence of the respective light beam at the beam inlet
Implementation Method 2
the light rays are collimated in the retroreflector, so that the light sheets can be sharply focused even over long path lengths
Implementation Method 3
at an output of the light sheet optic each light beam forms a differently oriented light sheet
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical apparatus (100) and to a method for producing light sheets (102) and to a retrofit kit for a light sheet microscope for producing light sheets. The optical apparatus has an optical sub-system (104) which has a plurality of collimated light beams (108) at the output (106) thereof, which light beams converge on a common point (110). Furthermore, there is a retroreflector (112) which has a beam input (114), at which the light beams are coupled into the retroreflector, and a beam output (116), at which the light beams exit from the retroreflector. The path length (118) covered in the retroreflector by the light beams between the beam input and the beam output is dependent on the angle of incidence (120) of the light beam at the beam input. Finally, the optical apparatus has a light sheet optical system (122) into which the light beams originating from the beam output of the retroreflector extend, wherein a differently oriented light sheet is formed from each light beam at an output (124) of the light sheet optical system. Different light sheets can be quickly produced by means of said apparatus without mechanics susceptible to failure.