Toroidal Scanning Microscope with Aberration Compensator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser scanning microscopes are limited by small field of view (FOV) and numerical aperture (NA), and suffer from dispersive pulse broadening, which restricts their ability to achieve high-resolution imaging of large areas with minimal noise.
Innovation Solution
A highly symmetrical laser scanning microscope using a toroidal reflective scan lens and a modified Offner configuration with a compensator to maintain high NA and reduce pulse broadening, enabling large FOV imaging with minimal noise and aberrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional microscope objectives are used to increase NA, then imaging resolution is improved, but field of view is limited to 1-2 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging system into multiple segments: a scanning apparatus that scans laser beams in a raster pattern across large areas, and a detection system that collects fluorescence signals. This segmentation allows the system to achieve large FOV by scanning rather than using a single wide-field objective, while maintaining high NA through the scanning geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane wide-field imaging approach to a three-dimensional scanning approach. By scanning laser beams in both horizontal and vertical directions across the sample, the system extends the field of view in multiple dimensions while maintaining high numerical aperture through the focused scanning geometry.
2Area of stationary object
If refractive optics are used to achieve large FOV, then field size is increased, but dispersive pulse broadening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces refractive optical elements with reflective optics in the scanning path. The scanning mirrors and tube lens use reflection rather than refraction to redirect and focus light, eliminating chromatic dispersion and pulse broadening effects that would occur with refractive materials. This allows large FOV imaging while maintaining temporal pulse integrity.
3Area of stationary object
If reflective scan lens optics are used to increase FOV, then field size is increased, but optical aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tube lens with specifically optimized local optical properties to correct aberrations introduced by the scanning mirrors. The tube lens is designed with particular curvature and refractive index characteristics that compensate for distortion and focus issues across the entire large field of view, ensuring uniform image quality throughout the scanned area.
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 solution provides enhanced FOV and NA while minimizing pulse broadening, allowing for high-resolution imaging of large areas with reduced noise, particularly suitable for two-photon microscopy and similar applications.
Implementation Method 1
a toroidal mirror surface that is symmetric about said axis and is disposed to direct scanned laser light of the first wavelength toward the sample in an arcuate scan pattern
Implementation Method 2
a compensator in the path of the input beam and formed to correct one or more aberrations of the toroidal mirror surface
Implementation Method 3
collector optics that define a collection path that conveys, to a detector, scanned light of a second wavelength that is excited from the scanned sample
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus for imaging a sample has a scanning apparatus having a laser energizable to direct an input beam of a first wavelength to a reflective scanner that is rotatable about an axis and a toroidal mirror surface that is symmetric about said axis and is disposed to direct scanned laser light of the first wavelength toward the sample in an arcuate scan pattern. A compensator in the path of the input beam is formed to correct one or more aberrations of the toroidal mirror surface. Telecentric collector optics define a collection path that conveys, to a detector, scanned light of a second wavelength that is excited from the scanned sample.