Spectrally Selective Component with Position-Dependent Edge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices, such as microscopes, face limitations in flexibility regarding spectral properties, as dichroic beam splitters and filters have permanently defined characteristics, making it difficult to achieve a steep spectral edge and precise spectral separation, especially when dealing with varying incidence angles and light bundle diameters.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with a spectrally selective component featuring an effective surface with a spectral edge that varies with the incidence site, allowing compensation for edge shifts caused by incidence angle changes, either by adjusting the incidence site or positioning the component at the image of a pupil, enabling flexible spectral property adjustment during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spectrally selective component with a positionally variable spectral edge is used, then spectral flexibility and adjustability are improved, but the spectral edge steepness decreases due to bundle diameter effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from considering only spectral wavelength dimension to incorporating spatial dimension by positioning the spectrally selective component at the pupil image location. This spatial positioning allows different radial positions at the pupil to correspond to different incidence angles, creating a dimensional transformation that enables spectral tuning without compromising edge steepness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by allowing dynamic adjustment of the spectral edge wavelength through mechanical or optical means (such as tilting the component or changing incidence angle) while maintaining the component at the pupil image position. This parameter change approach enables flexible spectral selection while preserving edge steepness through proper geometric positioning
2Manufacturing precision
If the spectral edge is made steeper by reducing the light bundle diameter, then spectral precision is improved, but the system becomes less adaptable to varying incidence angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an equipotential condition by positioning the spectrally selective component at the pupil image location, where all rays from the object pass through the same effective point regardless of their incidence angles. This equipotential positioning ensures that the spectral edge steepness is maintained uniformly across varying incidence angles, eliminating the trade-off between precision and adaptability
3Device complexity
If fixed spectral properties are used in dichroic beam splitters and filters, then device complexity is reduced, but spectral adaptability during operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic capability to the optical system by enabling the spectrally selective component to be positioned or oriented such that its spectral edge can be adjusted during operation. The component remains at the pupil image position but can be tilted or mechanically adjusted to change the effective incidence angle, allowing real-time spectral property modification without increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the spectrally selective component multi-functional by designing it to operate at the pupil image position while accommodating varying incidence angles and bundle diameters. This universal positioning allows the same component to serve multiple spectral separation functions across different operational conditions, replacing the need for multiple fixed filters
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 allows for dynamic adjustment of spectral properties, improving the precision and flexibility of spectral separation in optical devices like microscopes, enhancing the ability to handle varying incidence angles and light bundle diameters without compromising edge steepness or precision.
Implementation Method 1
The spectrally selective component (10) has, in particular, the property that incident light in a first wavelength region is reflected by an effective surface (12) and light in a second wavelength region is transmitted through the effective surface (12)
Implementation Method 2
The dielectric multilayer (208) has, in particular, the property that incident light in a first wavelength region is reflected by the dielectric multilayer (208) and light in a second wavelength region is transmitted through the dielectric multilayer (208)
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes an optical system and a spectrally selective component arranged in a beam path and configured to spectrally influence light that propagates along the beam path. The spectrally selective component comprises an effective surface having a spectral edge that varies with the incidence site of the light on the effective surface. The effective surface of the spectrally selective component is arranged in the beam path at a point at which a variation of the spectral edge, which is caused by a variation of the incidence angle at which the light is incident onto the effective surface, is at least partly compensated for by an opposite-direction variation of the spectral edge which is caused by a variation of the incidence site. Alternatively, the effective surface is arranged in the beam path at the site of an image of a pupil of the optical system.