Stretched Light Field Microscope Information Budget
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light field microscopes face limitations in increasing the number of diffraction-limited resolvable spots, which restricts their information budget and ability to capture detailed images, especially in larger fields of view or dynamic samples.
Innovation Solution
Increasing the field of view and image circle diameter of the light field microscope while maintaining the overall magnification to numerical aperture ratio unchanged, or by adjusting the magnification and numerical aperture ratios, to enhance the information budget without compromising resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the field of view and image circle diameter of the LFM are increased, then the information budget is increased, but the resolution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes multiple optical parameters simultaneously: increasing field of view by factor A, increasing image circle diameter by factor B, adjusting numerical aperture by factor C, and adjusting overall magnification by factor D. This coordinated parameter transformation allows the information budget to increase by factor (A*B/C)² while maintaining resolution through the constraint that A*B/C = D, ensuring the diffraction-limited resolvable spot size remains constant.
2Measurement precision
If the numerical aperture and overall magnification are increased to improve resolution, then the information budget increases, but the field of view decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional single-dimension optimization (either resolution or field of view) into a multi-dimensional parameter space solution. By introducing four transformation factors (A, B, C, D) that operate in different dimensional aspects of the optical system, the patent achieves information budget increase without sacrificing either resolution or field of view, effectively moving from a constrained single-parameter optimization to an unconstrained multi-parameter transformation.
3Quantity of substance
If the diffraction-limited resolvable spot size is reduced to increase information budget, then the information budget increases, but the optical system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than reducing the diffraction-limited resolvable spot size through complex optical modifications, the patent applies parameter transformation that scales the entire optical system. The four factors (A, B, C, D) coordinate to increase the information budget by (A*B/C)² while maintaining the same diffraction-limited resolvable spot size, thereby achieving information budget increase without increasing optical system complexity through spot size reduction.
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 approach allows for a significant increase in the information budget, enabling the capture of larger specimen areas in a single image and improved axial depth, particularly beneficial for dynamic biological samples, without reducing the microscope's resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a tube lens for refracting light from the objective lens
Data Source
AI summary
The information budget of a light field microscope is increased by increasing the field of view and image circle diameter of the microscope, while keeping the ratio of overall magnification of the microscope to the numerical aperture of the microscope unchanged. Alternatively, the information budget is increased by increasing the field of view and image circle diameter of the microscope by a first factor, while increasing the ratio of overall magnification of the microscope to the numerical aperture of the microscope by a smaller, second factor. In some cases, an infinity-corrected light field microscope has an overall magnification that is greater than the nominal magnification of the objective lens.