Top-Hat Beam Conversion for Uniform Biological Sample Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological sample imaging systems require high laser power and multiple lasers to achieve uniform illumination, leading to increased costs and limited throughput due to the lack of economy of scale in laser systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a beam converter that converts a collimated Gaussian beam into a collimated, uniform irradiance over a region in space, allowing for efficient delivery of laser power to the sample using lower power and cost-effective light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high laser power is used to achieve uniform illumination, then illumination intensity is improved, but device cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of beam intensity distribution by converting the Gaussian beam intensity profile into a uniform top-hat intensity profile using a beam converter. This allows uniform illumination across the sample area without requiring high laser power, as the beam converter redistributes the laser power evenly across the field of view rather than concentrating it at the center.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lasers are used to image multiple fluorophores, then imaging capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beam converter as an intermediary component that enables a single laser to provide uniform illumination suitable for imaging multiple fluorophores. The beam converter acts as a mediator that transforms the Gaussian beam into a uniform top-hat beam, eliminating the need for multiple lasers while maintaining the capability to image different fluorophores with a single laser source.
3Illumination intensity
If laser power is increased to improve illumination, then illumination intensity is improved, but throughput is limited due to cost effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the illumination parameter from Gaussian intensity distribution to uniform top-hat intensity distribution using a beam converter. This parameter change allows the system to achieve uniform illumination with lower laser power, improving cost-effectiveness and enabling higher throughput by reducing the power consumption per unit time while maintaining adequate illumination intensity for imaging.
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 enables cost-effective and efficient illumination of biological samples, reducing the need for high-power lasers by up to 50% and increasing imaging speed by up to 300%, while maintaining uniform sample irradiation.
Implementation Method 1
a beam converter configured to convert the collimated gaussian beam into a collimated, uniform irradiance over a region in space
Data Source
AI summary
Top Hat illumination biological sample imaging devices are provided. Aspects of the imaging devices include: a laser illumination source configured to produce a collimated gaussian beam having a specific diameter; a beam converter configured to convert the collimated gaussian beam into a collimated, uniform irradiance over a region in space; a sample interrogation location in light receiving relationship with the beam converter; and a detector in light receiving relationship with a biological sample interrogation location. Also provided are methods of using the devices, e.g., in genome mapping and other applications.