Wide-field Deep UV Raman Microscope Using Mercury Lamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deep ultraviolet (UV) Raman spectroscopy is limited by the lack of proper light sources and filters, which restricts its application in chemical sensing and imaging, especially for microscopic imaging, due to the complexity and high cost of existing systems, and the inability to detect lower vibrational frequency ranges, making it impractical for widespread use in virus detection and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A wide-field deep UV Raman microscope system using an incoherent light source, such as a mercury lamp, with a deep-UV optimized objective and a notch filter, allowing for extended vibrational frequency range detection and imaging without the need for a laser source, enabling higher resolution, specificity, and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If deep UV Raman spectroscopy is used for virus detection, then sensitivity and specificity are improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requirement for laser sources and specialized filters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex laser sources with inexpensive, stable mercury lamps that have long operational lifetimes. The mercury lamps are paired with disposable or replaceable notch filters that can be easily exchanged, eliminating the need for expensive laser systems while maintaining detection sensitivity through the use of these economical, readily replaceable light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the laser source from the deep UV Raman system, replacing it with a mercury lamp. This extraction simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the complex laser generation, tuning, and stabilization subsystems while retaining the core Raman detection capability through the use of the mercury lamp's characteristic emission lines.
2Measurement precision
If deep UV light is used for microscopic imaging, then chemical specificity is improved, but acquisition time increases due to light damage to cells and tissues requiring significant attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the excitation wavelength parameter by using the 254 nm emission line of the mercury lamp, which provides optimal resonant enhancement for viral molecules while allowing sufficient light intensity to achieve rapid acquisition. This parameter optimization enables simultaneous achievement of high chemical specificity and reduced acquisition time by selecting the right wavelength within the deep UV range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic scanning of the mercury lamp emission through the sample using a stage scanner, allowing the system to collect Raman signals from different regions of the sample over time. This periodic scanning approach, combined with the stable emission of the mercury lamp, enables efficient data collection that reduces total acquisition time while maintaining the chemical specificity provided by deep UV excitation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional Raman filters are used, then high frequency vibrations can be detected, but lower vibrational frequency range is limited restricting virus detection capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a mercury lamp that emits multiple discrete wavelengths (254 nm, 185 nm, 365 nm) that can be selectively used to detect different vibrational frequency ranges. The same optical system can accommodate different mercury lamp emission lines or combine multiple lamps to provide universal coverage across the entire Raman spectrum, making the system adaptable to both high and low frequency vibrations without requiring separate specialized systems.
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 system provides improved spatial resolution, expanded vibrational spectral range, reduced acquisition time, and cost-effectiveness, allowing for the detection and imaging of viruses with enhanced sensitivity and specificity, suitable for both organic and inorganic molecules, including pathogens like coronaviruses.
Implementation Method 1
Deep ultraviolet (200-260 nm) Raman spectroscopy is known to provide high specificity and high sensitivity chemical sensing of biological molecules. This happens because of resonant Raman excitation which increases the signal by 5-6 orders of magnitude
Implementation Method 2
a notch filter having an absorption frequency matched to the emission wavelength
Implementation Method 3
a microscope platform comprising a microscope objective comprising a deep-UV optimized objective
Data Source
AI summary
A spectroscopy device includes an incoherent light source, tunable to a predetermined emission wavelength; a microscope platform comprising a microscope objective comprising a deep-UV optimized objective and a focal plane defined thereon; a notch filter having an absorption frequency matched to the emission wavelength; and a frequency-selective optical path from the wide-field UV light source to the microscope platform onto the focal plane and from the focal plane through the notch filter.