Solid Immersion Lens Holder Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
High resolution optical microscopes face challenges in achieving precise alignment of the central axis of the solid immersion lens (SIL) with the objective lens, leading to reduced performance, image distortion, and specimen damage due to misalignment and inclination, which existing technologies struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A SIL holder with a cylindrical shape, featuring a circular flange, conical tube, optical axis adjusting ring, and extension/contraction slots, allows for precise adjustment of the SIL's central axis to align with the objective lens, maintaining close contact with the specimen while absorbing external forces and maintaining horizontal contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the SIL holder uses a rigid structure to maintain precise alignment, then the alignment precision between SIL and objective lens is improved, but the ability to adapt to inclined specimen surfaces is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into a rigid upper portion (for precise alignment) and a flexible lower portion with slots (for adapting to inclined surfaces). This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function: the rigid part maintains optical axis alignment while the flexible part accommodates surface variations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the holder have different mechanical properties: the upper part near the SIL is rigid to maintain alignment precision, while the lower part containing the slots is flexible to adapt to inclined specimen surfaces. This local differentiation of structural properties resolves the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility requirements.
2Measurement precision
If the SIL is pressed against the specimen surface to maintain close contact, then the imaging resolution is improved, but the risk of breaking the SIL or specimen is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The slots in the holder act as cushioning elements that can deform to absorb excessive pressing forces. When the SIL is pressed against the specimen, any excessive force causes the holder to flex at the slot locations, preventing direct transmission of damaging forces to the fragile SIL and specimen while maintaining close contact for high resolution imaging.
3Measurement precision
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are added to correct optical axis misalignment, then the alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding multiple complex adjustment mechanisms, the invention uses a dynamic flexible structure with slots that can passively adapt to alignment variations. The flexibility of the holder allows it to self-adjust to accommodate minor misalignments between the SIL and objective lens, reducing the need for active adjustment mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the holder structure is made more flexible to accommodate inclined specimens, then the adaptability is improved, but the alignment precision is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is segmented into rigid and flexible zones, where the rigid upper portion maintains optical axis alignment precision while the flexible lower portion with slots accommodates inclined specimen surfaces. This spatial segmentation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and rigidity requirements.
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 high resolution optical imaging by precisely aligning the central axes, reducing image distortion, and preventing specimen and SIL damage by minimizing external forces and maintaining horizontal contact, even with inclined specimens.
Implementation Method 1
a spring structure which absorbs extension and contraction
Implementation Method 2
adjusting the optical axis of the SIL holder, thereby allowing the central axis (optical axis) of the SIL holder to maximally approach the central axis (optical axis) of an objective lens
Implementation Method 3
interposing the SIL between an objective lens and a specimen and thus preventing a beam leakage due to mismatching of the refractive index
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a solid immersion lens (SIL) holder for optical axis precision correction of a high resolution optical microscope, equipped with a SIL and an objective lens barrel equipped with a plurality of objective lenses, the SIL holder comprising: a circular flange providing in the middle of the objective lens barrel to be coupled to the SIL holder; a coupling flange formed at one end portion thereof and coupled to the circular flange; a conical tube formed at the other end portion thereof, the SIL being mounted onto a lower end portion of the conical tube, wherein the SIL holder comprises an optical axis adjusting part which adjusts such that the central axis of the SIL approaches the central axis of an objective lens, and the SIL holder comprises an extension/contraction adjusting part which allows the SIL to be very close to a measurement surface of a specimen.