Wavelength Separation for Bright Field Fluorescence Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing measuring apparatuses, the switching between bright field and fluorescence observations often results in alignment errors due to turret rotation, leading to degraded measurement accuracy, especially when precise correspondence of imaging areas is required between the two modes.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical elements with specific wavelength separation characteristics, such as dichroic mirrors and filters, to separate and direct light in different wavelength bands, ensuring accurate alignment and correspondence between bright field and fluorescence images without the need for turret rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a turret with fluorescent cube or mirror unit is rotated to switch between bright field and fluorescence observation, then observation mode switching is achieved, but imaging area alignment between the two modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical path into separate channels: a first optical path for bright field observation and a second optical path for fluorescence observation. Each path has dedicated optical elements and imaging areas, eliminating the need for turret rotation. The segmentation allows independent optimization of each observation mode while maintaining precise spatial correspondence between imaging areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary optical element that enables the separation and combination of light paths. The beam splitter allows excitation light to be directed to the sample in fluorescence mode while permitting emitted light to reach the detector, and similarly manages light paths in bright field mode, thereby enabling mode switching without mechanical turret rotation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If turret rotation is used for switching observation modes, then mode flexibility is improved, but measurement accuracy degrades due to arrangement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements separate optical paths for bright field and fluorescence observations, with each path having its dedicated imaging area. This segmentation eliminates the mechanical turret rotation required in conventional systems, thereby removing the source of arrangement errors and positioning inaccuracies that occur during mode switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a correspondence relationship between the first imaging area (bright field) and the second imaging area (fluorescence) through optical design. By ensuring that these imaging areas capture the same sample region, the system achieves accurate spatial matching without requiring precise mechanical positioning of rotating components.
3Measurement precision
If strict correspondence of imaging areas is required for partial measurement targets, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the observation system into separate optical paths with dedicated imaging areas for bright field and fluorescence modes. This segmentation inherently provides stable spatial correspondence between imaging areas without requiring complex active positioning mechanisms, as the optical design itself ensures consistent field alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is designed to inherently maintain correspondence between imaging areas through its optical configuration. The beam splitter and separate optical paths automatically ensure that the first and second imaging areas capture the same sample region without requiring external positioning control or complex adjustment mechanisms.
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 effectively suppresses the degradation of measurement accuracy by ensuring precise alignment and correspondence between bright field and fluorescence imaging areas, enhancing the overall measurement precision.
Implementation Method 1
reflecting light in a first wavelength band, transmitting light in a second wavelength band
Implementation Method 2
transmitting light in a second wavelength band
Implementation Method 3
separating incident light that is incident in two wavelength bands including the first wavelength band or the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band into the light in the first wavelength band or the light in the second wavelength band, and the light in the third wavelength band, according to the wavelength
Implementation Method 4
capable of separating incident light according to a wavelength of incident light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus includes a first optical element and a second optical element capable of separating incident light according to a wavelength of the incident light. The first optical element includes a first separation section having first optical characteristics for reflecting light in a first wavelength band, transmitting light in a second wavelength band, and partially transmitting and partially reflecting light in a third wavelength band. The second optical element includes a second separation section having second optical characteristics for separating incident light that is incident in two wavelength bands including the first wavelength band or the second wavelength band and the third wavelength band into the light in the first wavelength band or the light in the second wavelength band and the light in the third wavelength band according to the wavelength.