Structured Illumination Optics for Fast Wide-Field Gene Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing super-resolution imaging techniques face limitations in balancing the super-resolution field of view and imaging efficiency, with digital micro-mirror devices (DMDs) restricting the field of view and liquid crystal spatial light modulators (LC-SLMs) slowing down imaging speed.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with an illumination optical path assembly, imaging optical path assembly, and a driving component that modulates illumination light and moves the light modulation component or sample relative to the objective lens, allowing for pattern updates and improving imaging efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If DMD optical elements are used to achieve high-speed electronic control of structured light fringes, then imaging speed is improved, but the super-resolution field of view becomes smaller than the field of view of the objective lens, causing loss of imaging throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic control mechanism of DMD with a mechanical translation stage that physically moves the light modulation component. This substitution allows the use of a larger-area light modulation component without the speed limitations of electronic switching, thereby expanding the super-resolution field of view to match the objective lens field of view while maintaining imaging throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a translation stage that enables dynamic positioning of the light modulation component relative to the objective lens. This dynamic adjustment allows optimization of both the field of view coverage and imaging speed by controlling the relative movement between the light modulation component and the sample plane
2Area of stationary object
If LC-SLM optical elements are used to achieve large area arrays and no limitations to super-resolution imaging field of view, then field of view is improved, but the imaging speed is limited due to slow response of electrically controlled liquid crystal switches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical control mechanism of LC-SLM with a mechanical translation stage system. By using physical translation rather than electrical switching, the system achieves fast pattern updates through mechanical movement while maintaining the large field of view capability provided by the large-area light modulation component
Solution Approach 2:
The translation stage pre-positions the light modulation component at optimal locations, allowing rapid switching between different illumination patterns through predetermined mechanical positions. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for slow electrical reconfiguration while maintaining large field of view coverage
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 optical system achieves high robustness in super-resolution imaging with a balanced field of view and enhanced imaging efficiency, featuring a simple structure and reduced complexity and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the light modulation component modulates the illumination light to form patterned illumination light
Implementation Method 2
The objective lens is arranged on an optical path of the illumination light field and configured for projecting the illumination light field onto a sample and receiving an optical signal generated by the sample
Implementation Method 3
The optical imaging assembly is configured for receiving the optical signal and forming an image
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application discloses an optical system and a gene sequencing device. The optical system comprises an illumination light path assembly, an imaging light path assembly, and a driving component. The illumination light path assembly comprises a light source and a light modulation component, and the light modulation component is used for transmitting and modulating illumination light generated by the light source to form an illumination light field. The imaging light path assembly comprises an objective lens and an optical imaging assembly; the objective lens is disposed on a light path of the illumination light field; the objective lens is used for projecting the illumination light field onto a sample and receiving an optical signal generated from the sample; the optical imaging assembly is used for receiving the optical signal and forming an image. The driving component is used for driving the light modulation component and the sample to move relative to the objective lens, so as to update the pattern of the illumination light field located on the sample. By using the optical system of the present solution, the imaging efficiency of the optical system is effectively improved, and the complexity of the system and production and manufacturing costs are reduced.