Tilted Illumination Plane Optical System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for illuminating three-dimensional samples often result in inhomogeneous illumination, leading to issues such as shadow casting and inefficient light energy distribution across the sample volume.
Innovation Solution
An optical system comprising an illumination device, an erecting optical unit, and a scanning device that generates a temporal sequence of parallel tilted illumination planes, using a focal-length-variable illumination and detection optical unit to ensure constant light energy distribution and eliminate the need for mechanical movement of the sample or scanning mirrors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tilting mirror is arranged in the transmission path to change the position of the light sheet by tilting, then the light sheet position can be adjusted, but inhomogeneous illumination and shadow casting occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic focusing through a tunable lens to adjust the light sheet position along the optical axis, replacing the static tilting mirror approach. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows precise control of the illuminated plane position without introducing angular deviations that cause shadow casting and illumination inhomogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the focal length parameter of the illumination objective dynamically to adjust the light sheet position. By varying the focal length rather than tilting the optical path, the illumination remains homogeneous across the sample while still achieving position adjustment of the illuminated plane.
2Productivity
If the sample is moved to illuminate different regions, then three-dimensional scanning is achieved, but mechanical complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the sample mechanically to achieve three-dimensional scanning, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the sample stationary and moving the illumination plane through focal length adjustment. This eliminates the need for mechanical sample manipulation while achieving the same three-dimensional scanning effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sample movement system with an optical focusing system. By using a tunable lens to adjust the focal plane position, the system achieves three-dimensional scanning without any mechanical movement of the sample stage or illumination components, reducing complexity and power consumption.
3Productivity
If an objective is displaced to scan different sample regions, then three-dimensional illumination is achieved, but system complexity and alignment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination objective serves multiple functions: it both illuminates the sample and its focal length is adjustable to scan through different depths. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate scanning mechanisms, reducing system complexity while maintaining three-dimensional illumination capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system includes an illumination device, an erecting optical unit and a scanning device. The illumination device is configured to generate illumination light. The scanning device is configured to generate a temporal sequence of at least two tilted illumination planes for illuminating a stationary sample volume. The at least two tilted illumination planes are arranged at a distance from one another and parallel to one another.