Segmented Optical System for Angle-Resolved Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination modules for angle-resolved illumination face challenges in efficiently aligning light along multiple beam paths, particularly at large angles, leading to uncontrolled specimen alignment and limited light efficiency, especially when using a common optical unit in Köhler illumination systems.
Innovation Solution
An illumination module with a light source unit and multiple optical elements arranged with lateral offsets, allowing for selective emission of light along multiple beam paths, which can be transformed through focusing, collimation, or modification of intensity and phase distributions, using a segmented optical unit with individual optical elements tailored for each beam path to achieve efficient angle-resolved illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common optical unit is used for multiple beam paths in Köhler illumination systems, then the system structure is simplified, but the alignment control and light efficiency deteriorate, especially at large angles
Solution Approach 1:
The common optical unit is divided into multiple separate optical elements, each dedicated to a specific beam path. This segmentation allows each optical element to be optimized for its specific angle and function, resolving the alignment control issues that arise in common optical units, while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design
2Device complexity
If a common optical unit is used for multiple beam paths, then the system structure is simplified, but the light efficiency deteriorates, especially in the region of the specimen object
Solution Approach 1:
Each optical element is designed with specific local optical properties tailored to its corresponding beam path and angle. This allows optimization of light distribution and efficiency for each specific illumination direction, preventing the light loss that occurs in common optical units where a single design must compromise for all angles
3Device complexity
If no optical unit is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the alignment of the specimen space becomes uncontrolled and light efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple separate optical elements instead of a single common unit or no optical unit. Each element provides controlled alignment for its specific beam path, ensuring proper specimen space alignment while keeping the overall system relatively simple through modular architecture
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 solution enables efficient and controlled angle-resolved illumination with improved light distribution and alignment, facilitating bright-field and dark-field imaging while reducing the complexity and cost of the optical system, and allowing for larger deflection angles and higher etendue.
Implementation Method 1
the transformation of the beam paths to comprise focusing or collimation
Implementation Method 2
the transformation of the beam paths to comprise focusing or collimation
Implementation Method 3
the transformation of the beam paths to contain influencing of the spatial distribution and/or the angle distribution of a respective beam path
Implementation Method 4
the transformation of the beam paths could also contain a modification of the lateral intensity distribution or phase distribution of a respective beam path
Implementation Method 5
The light source unit is configured to selectively emit light along a multiplicity of beam paths in each case
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination module (101) for an optical apparatus comprises a light source unit (102), which is configured to selectively emit light along a multiplicity of beam paths (112) in each case. The illumination module (101) also comprises a multiplicity of optical elements (201-203) arranged with lateral offset from one another, wherein each optical element (201-203) of the multiplicity of optical elements (201-203) is configured to transform at least one corresponding beam path (112) of the multiplicity of beam paths.