Light microscope and method for providing structured illumination light
Inventors
Krampert, Gerhard • Wicker, Kai • Netz, Ralf • Dekker, Ronald • Klein, Edwin Jan • Geuzebroek, Douwe Harmen
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11454792-B2
Publication Date
2022-09-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
A light microscope comprises: a structuring optical unit comprising a waveguide chip for providing a structured illumination; an input selection device for variably directing light to one of several inputs of the waveguide chip; the waveguide chip further comprising a light guide path following each of the inputs; each light guide path divides into several path divisions; and each path division leads to one output of the wave-guide chip. The outputs of the waveguide chip can be arranged at a pupil plane of the light microscope, and an exit direction of light from the outputs is transverse to a plane defined by the waveguide chip. A method for providing structured illumination light using the light microscope is also described.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a structured-illumination light microscope that uses a structuring optical unit including a waveguide chip with a plurality of inputs. Incoming light is variably directed by an input selection device to one of the inputs, and the waveguide chip comprises light guide paths that follow each input and divide into several path divisions, each path division leading to one output of the waveguide chip.
An exit direction of light from the outputs is transverse to a plane defined by the waveguide chip. The path divisions are formed so that at least some of the path divisions belonging to different inputs intersect, and the intersecting path divisions intersect each other at an angle between 70° and 120°. The outputs belonging to the same input form dot patterns, and the dot patterns are similar to each other but rotated relative to each other.
The waveguide chip is configured to provide structured illumination from impinging light, including options for total internal reflection illumination using one or more additional inputs. For the TIR illumination, additional light guide paths lead to respective TIR outputs, the outputs of the waveguide chip define a geometric center, and each TIR output is further away from the geometric center than any of the outputs of the waveguide chip.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims covering a light microscope apparatus for waveguide-chip structured illumination and corresponding method and TIR-capable configurations. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features include a waveguide chip with multiple inputs and internal path division into outputs with transverse exit direction, intersecting path divisions at a specified angle range, dot patterns that are similar but rotated relative to each other, and optional TIR illumination using additional inputs with a geometric-center constraint.
Waveguide chip structured illumination with input selection and path division
A light microscope comprising a structuring optical unit configured for providing a structured illumination from impinging light, the structuring optical unit comprising a waveguide chip with a plurality of inputs; an input selection device configured for variably directing light to one of the inputs; and wherein the waveguide chip comprises light guide paths that follow each input and divide into several path divisions, each path division leading to one output.
Transverse output exit direction and intersecting path divisions at an angle
A light microscope wherein an exit direction of light from the outputs is transverse to a plane defined by the waveguide chip; the path divisions are formed such that at least some path divisions which belong to different inputs intersect; and the intersecting path divisions intersect each other at an angle between 70° and 120°.
Rotated similar dot patterns from different inputs
A method for providing structured illumination light in a light microscope wherein outputs belonging to the same input form a dot pattern, and the dot patterns are similar to each other but rotated relative to each other.
TIR illumination with additional inputs and geometric-center constraint
A light microscope comprising a waveguide chip with one or more additional inputs for providing a TIR illumination, the additional inputs each connecting to an additional light guide path leading to a respective TIR output; wherein the outputs define a geometric center; and wherein each TIR output is further away from the geometric center than any of the outputs of the waveguide chip.
Overall, the independent claims require a waveguide-chip structuring optical unit with variably selected inputs, internal path division to multiple outputs with a transverse exit direction, intersecting path divisions with an intersection angle between 70° and 120°, structured illumination output patterns that are similar but rotated between inputs, and optional TIR illumination via additional inputs with a geometric-center relationship positioning TIR outputs farther away than other outputs.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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