Scanner Arrangement for Laser Microscopy with Rotating Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current scanner arrangements for laser scanning microscopes face limitations in scanning speed and complexity when trying to scan a section offset from the center of the maximum possible scanning region, and they require additional optical components for scanning field rotation, which increases costs and polarization changes.
Innovation Solution
The scanner arrangement includes mechanical devices for rotating the scanning field and providing offset means to influence beam deflection amplitudes, using a combination of resonant and quasi-static scanning elements with offset actuators to maintain the scanning field center during rotation, allowing for two-dimensional deflection and compensation of positional deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional optical components are used for scanning field rotation, then scanning field rotation capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation function from separate optical components and integrates it into the existing scanner assembly. The scanner housing itself is made rotatable about a vertical axis, allowing the scanning field to be rotated without adding dedicated rotation optics. This eliminates the need for additional optical elements while maintaining the rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner housing serves multiple functions: it protects the scanning mirrors, provides structural support, and acts as the rotating element for field rotation. By making the housing itself rotatable, the same component performs both mechanical protection and rotational positioning, reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If panning is achieved by applying deflection offset, then scanning field positioning is improved, but scanning speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the positioning function into two independent mechanisms: fast electronic deflection offset for rapid positioning and slow mechanical rotation for field orientation. The electronic offset can be applied instantly to the beam deflection path, enabling rapid panning without the mechanical inertia limitations of rotating the entire scanner assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate electronic deflection stage that mediates between the control system and the physical scanner. By applying electronic offset to the beam path before it reaches the scanning mirrors, the system achieves rapid positioning without moving any heavy mechanical components, thus maintaining high scanning speed.
3Speed
If resonant scanners are used for high scan frequencies, then scanning speed is improved, but usable deflection amplitude decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a second degree of freedom by combining resonant scanning in one axis with quasi-static scanning capability in the orthogonal axis. This allows the system to achieve high scan frequencies in the resonant direction while maintaining adequate deflection amplitude through the complementary quasi-static scanner, effectively solving the trade-off by operating in multiple dimensions simultaneously.
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 efficient scanning field rotation without additional optical elements, maintains polarization, and increases scanning speed, while allowing for panning and zoom functions with minimal lateral offset and no change in laser power.
Implementation Method 1
scanner arrangements deflect collimated laser radiation from the incoming beam direction through defined angles
Implementation Method 2
The deflected radiation is focused to form a spot using an imaging optical unit
Implementation Method 3
scanners operating on resonant principles, for a one-dimensional deflection; these are usable with an approximately sinusoidal deflection in time at a certain frequency by means of an energy storage system formed by a spring and a mass
Data Source
AI summary
A scanner arrangement, suitable for use in laser scanning microscopes, for scanning a scanning field (42) by means of optical radiation (5). It is equipped with at least one scanner (1), which comprises a scanning mirror (2) that is tiltable about one or two scanning axes (3, 4) and means for rotating the scanning field, for scanning a size-variable scanning field and for centring the scanning field centre (43) when panning. The arrangement includes a mechanical pivot device (7) for rotating the scanning field (42). The pivot device is arranged to pivot the scanner (1) about a pivot axis (8). Pivoting is implemented through angular dimensions that correspond to an intended rotation of the scanning field.