CN110546542A

CN110546542A - data transmission in optical system

Info

Publication number: CN110546542A
Application number: CN201880022533.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A.盖达克; M.利特克
Original assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
Current assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
Priority date: 2017-03-28
Filing date: 2018-03-23
Publication date: 2019-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-23
Also published as: DE102017106588A1; CN110546542B; WO2018177950A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical system (100) comprising a base component (101) designed to detachably fix at least one replaceable component (111) and (116). The optical system (100) further comprises a beam path (130) designed to transmit the first light (131). The optical system (100) is designed to encode data into the second light (132) and to transmit the second light (132) between the first transmission unit (120) and the second transmission unit (120), the first transmission unit (120) being attached to the at least one replaceable component (111) and (116).

Description

Data transmission in optical system

Technical Field

Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to optical systems having a base component and one or more replaceable components. Various examples of the invention relate particularly to optical systems arranged to encode data into light and to transmit light between one transmission unit and other transmission units mounted on at least one replaceable component.

background

when changing components of a microscope system, it may often be desirable to obtain knowledge about the current operating state of the microscope system. In general, proper operation of the optical system is desired to obtain information about the changed component. Examples of such information that may be used to operate the microscope system include, for example, available magnification, transmission behavior, or tolerances.

In this respect, various solutions are known from the prior art for transmitting data in optical systems with replaceable components. Such transmission may be effected, for example, by means of a wireless transponder, see DE 102005010479 a 1. Another transmission technique makes use of magnetic or capacitive properties, see DE 10245170 a 1. Another transmission technique utilizes sliding contacts.

However, such previously known techniques have certain limitations and disadvantages. For example, implementing a corresponding transmission device may be relatively complex. Furthermore, the corresponding transmission devices may have a relatively high energy consumption, so that the supply of electrical energy has to be carefully designed.

Disclosure of Invention

this is why there is a need for technical improvements in the transmission of data in optical systems having at least one replaceable component. In particular, there is a need for such techniques that obviate or mitigate at least some of the above-mentioned limitations and disadvantages.

this object is achieved by the features of the independent patent claims. The features of the dependent patent claims define embodiments.

The optical system includes an optical base assembly. The base assembly is configured to releasably secure at least one optically replaceable assembly. The optical system further comprises a beam path. The latter being arranged to transmit the first light. Furthermore, the optical system is arranged to encode data into the second light and to transmit the second light between a first transmission unit and a second transmission unit, the first transmission unit being mounted on the at least one replaceable component.

For example, the beam path may extend at least partially through the base assembly. In some examples, the optical system may further include at least one replaceable component. For example, the light beam path may extend at least partially through the at least one replaceable component. In some examples, the data may relate to at least one replaceable component.

the optical system may form, for example, a microscope system by means of which an image of the sample object can be captured in an enlarged manner. For example, at least one of the at least one replaceable assembly may be embodied in the form of a sample holder configured to secure a sample object in the beam path. Furthermore, for example, at least one of the at least one replaceable assembly may further be embodied in the form of an objective lens, which directs the beam path in the direction of the sample object. Other examples of functions that may be provided by the at least one replaceable component include, for example: splitting the beam; a color filter; a filter; a polarizing filter; correcting aberration; wave-front correction; a lighting module; and so on.

the base assembly may provide, for example, a frame that may receive at least one replaceable assembly. If there are a plurality of replaceable assemblies, the frame of the base assembly may be arranged to releasably secure them in a particular arrangement relative to each other. The base component may also provide optical functions, such as lighting modules and the like.

data may be transferred between multiple transmission units in one or both directions. For example, the second light may be transmitted from the first transmission unit to the second transmission unit and/or from the second transmission unit to the first transmission unit. The transmission of light may here comprise the transmission of light and/or the reception of light. The second light can be transmitted here, for example, between the base module and at least one of the at least one replaceable modules. The second light may also be transmitted between two or more of the at least one replaceable component.

Such techniques described herein are based on the following findings: it may be advantageous to transfer data by the second light as a medium. A particularly energy-saving transmission of data can thus be achieved in particular. Furthermore, the transmission unit can be realized in a particularly space-saving manner.

In one example, the first transmission unit may include a photoelectric energy converter, such as a solar cell or a photodiode. The photovoltaic energy converter may be arranged to convert the first light and/or the second light into electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy to operate the first transmission unit.

Alternatively or additionally, the second transmission unit may further comprise a photoelectric energy converter arranged to convert the first light and/or the second light into electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy to operate the second transmission unit.

Thus, the use of a photovoltaic energy converter may ensure a sufficient operation of the respective transmission unit. In particular, it may not be necessary to provide the supply voltage by conductor lines or cables (that is to say wire bonding). In this way, a particularly flexible integration of the respective transmission unit into the respective component of the optical system can be achieved. Furthermore, the respective transmission unit can be realized in a particularly space-saving manner.

In some examples, the first transfer unit may include a holographic storage image mounted on at least one replaceable component. The holographic storage image may be arranged to store data.

Alternatively or additionally, the second transmission unit may further comprise a holographic storage image mounted on a corresponding component of the optical system and arranged to store data.

By such a technique, energy absorption by the corresponding transmission unit during operation can be avoided. In this way it can be ensured that the corresponding transmission units can be integrated in a particularly flexible and space-saving manner.

in particular, the data can be read from the holographic storage image of the first transfer unit by illuminating with a second light having a high coherence, for example because the second light is emitted by a laser. Thus, the second transmission unit may comprise a controller, at least one laser and a detector. The controller may then be arranged to control the laser to emit the second light in the direction of the holographically stored image. The detector may detect the second light reflected or transmitted by the holographic storage image.

The holographic storage image may also be referred to as a phase plate, since it may set a specific phase relationship between different regions of the wavefront of the second light. For example, the at least one laser may thus project a corresponding hologram of the holographic storage image onto the detector.

The controller may be arranged to selectively operate the at least one laser in a read mode or a write mode. Here, the at least one laser and the detector may be arranged to read data from the holographic storage element in a read mode and to write data into the holographic storage image in a write mode. In such a connection, the holographic storage image may comprise, for example, a reversible material, that is to say, for example, a polymer that can be selectively rearranged or re-joined under appropriate illumination with the second light. The linking may set a specific phase relationship between different regions of the wavefront. Different data can be encoded by changing the concatenation.

furthermore, such a technique of storing data by holographically storing an image has an advantage that forgery can be prevented to a large extent with certainty. In this way, sensitive data can be stored by means of the holographic storage image, for example, to ensure the authenticity of the component.

the holographic storage image may be formed from a transparent substrate. In particular, the substrate may have transparency to the first light. The substrate may be arranged on the optical element of the at least one replaceable component and in the beam path. In this way, negative effects on the first light can be avoided. At the same time, a flexible positioning of the holographic storage image of the first transfer unit can be ensured. For example, the installation space provided for guiding the first light may also be used for guiding the second light. This makes high integration of the optical system possible.

In other examples, the substrate on which the image is holographically stored may also be formed on an optical element outside the beam path. In this way, a spatial separation of the first light and the first transmission unit may be achieved. Thus, interactions, such as light contamination of the sample object due to the second light, may be avoided.

in the various examples described herein, the interaction between the first light and the second light may in principle be ensured by separately transmitting the first light and the second light in at least one of the location space, the time space and the frequency space. For example, the first light and the second light may be arranged in different spectral ranges. For example, the first light and the second light may be transmitted separately at different positions in the position space. A time slot technique in which the first light and the second light are transmitted alternately is also conceivable. So that interaction between the first light and the second light can be avoided.

For example, the optical system may include an aperture and/or a lens that defines the beam path. For example, an aperture and/or a lens may be assigned to the base component or to the at least one replaceable component. The second light may then be transmitted through the aperture and/or the lens. In other words, the second light can thus be transmitted at least partially in the position space in an overlapping manner with the beam path. In this way, a particularly integrated arrangement may be obtained which does not require much space.

however, in other examples, the first light and the second light may also be transmitted separately from each other. For example, the at least one replaceable component may have a frame. An aperture defining a beam path may be disposed within the frame. The second light may then be transmitted outside the frame spatially separated from the first light. Such an arrangement is particularly desirable with respect to a photosensitive sample which is arranged with respect to the beam path and is fixed, for example, by a sample holder. In this way, ageing or light contamination of the sample object due to the second light illumination can be avoided.

To encode data into the second light, various techniques may be used. For example, temporal modulation and/or spatial modulation may be used. In combination with the holographic storage image, phase modulation of the second light may also be achieved. In combination with time modulation, pulse width modulation may be implemented, for example. The transmission of the second light may be effected temporally separately from the image recording.

the first transmission unit may include a transmitter and a receiver for the second light. The transmitter and the receiver can be integrated in a common housing, for example. This may enable a particularly space-saving arrangement. Such a combined unit may be referred to as a transceiver or a transmitter/receiver.

However, in other examples, the transmitter and the receiver of the first transmission unit may also be arranged spatially separated from each other, e.g. on different sides of the beam path. A particularly flexible arrangement can be made possible in this case, so that a reliable transmission of the second light with a strong signal can be ensured even in the case of complex geometric boundary conditions.

In one example, the first transmission unit comprises a light source arranged radially adjacent to the lens or the at least one replaceable component arranged in the beam path. The light source of the first transmission unit is arranged to emit the second light in the direction of the lens. The lens may then be arranged to deflect the second light by scattering.

the lens may thus be arranged to shape the beam path. For example, the lens may focus the beam path at a particular focal length. For example, the lens may comprise scattering centers deflecting at least a certain part of the second light. This deflection of the second light may be effected, for example, in the direction of the second transmission unit. For example, before deflection, that is to say between the light source and the lens, the second light can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the first light guided along the beam path; after deflection, the second light may be oriented substantially parallel to the first light directed along the beam path.

Such a technique may enable a particularly efficient input or output coupling of the second light into the beam path of the first light. Here, a separate beam splitter or the like may not be necessary in some cases. Thus, in particular the light sources may be arranged radially adjacent to the beam path in a space-saving manner.

In some examples, different detectors may be used to detect the first light and the second light. This may be desirable, in particular, if the first light and the second light have different frequencies. In this case, the sensitivity of the corresponding detector may be adapted to the corresponding frequency of the light to be detected. However, in other examples, the same detector may also be used to detect the first light and the second light. This may in particular enable a particularly integrated implementation of the transmission unit. For example, the cameras may be used as a common detector. Thus, for example, the second transmission unit may comprise a multi-pixel detector arranged in an image plane of an imaging optical unit of the optical system defined with respect to the sample object. The multi-pixel detector may be arranged to capture the second light and also to capture an image of the sample object based on the first light.

Various applications may be implemented using the transmission of data. For example, a control unit of the optical system may be arranged to control an operation mode of the optical system and/or to trigger a user output based on data.

For example, the data may make it possible to determine the type of at least one replaceable component used. In other examples, the data may enable wavefront correction of the beam path based on aberration information of the at least one replaceable component indicated by the data. In other examples, the data may enable positioning of the at least one replaceable component relative to the beam path.

Thus, for example, the data may be selected from the following combinations: a type of the at least one replaceable component; a serial number of the at least one replaceable component; an operating mode of the at least one replaceable component; a compensation parameter that compensates for an aberration of a beam path of the first light, wherein the aberration is caused by the at least one replaceable component.

for example, the operating mode of one or more other replaceable components may be set based on the type of at least one replaceable component. As an example, one or more other replaceable components may be selectively inserted into or removed from the beam path depending on the type. Alternatively or additionally, software parameters may be adapted. In some examples, the data may indicate a recommended mode of operation of one or more other replaceable components.

a method includes releasably securing at least one replaceable component of an optical system by a base component of the optical system. The method also includes transmitting the first light along a beam path and encoding data into the second light. The method also includes transmitting the second light between the first transmission unit and the second transmission unit. The first transfer unit is mounted on the at least one replaceable component.

the optical system includes a plurality of components and a beam path. The beam path is configured to transmit the first light. The optical system is arranged to encode data into the second light and to transmit the second light between a first transmission unit mounted on a first component of the optical system and a second transmission unit mounted on a second component of the optical system.

the features specified above and those described below can be used not only in the corresponding combinations explicitly specified, but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an optical system including a base component and a plurality of replaceable components, according to various examples.

fig. 2 schematically illustrates a transmission unit that may be mounted on a component of an optical system according to various examples.

fig. 3 schematically illustrates a transmission unit that may be mounted on a component of an optical system according to various examples.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of encoding data into light and transmitting the light.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a geometrical arrangement of a transmission system with a plurality of transmission units with respect to a replaceable component and a base component of an optical system according to various examples.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a geometrical arrangement of a transmission system with a plurality of transmission units with respect to a replaceable component and a base component of an optical system according to various examples.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a geometrical arrangement of a transmission system with a plurality of transmission units with respect to a replaceable component and a base component of an optical system according to various examples.

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a geometrical arrangement of a transmission system with a plurality of transmission units with respect to a replaceable component and a base component of an optical system according to various examples.

Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a geometrical arrangement of a transmission system with a plurality of transmission units with respect to a replaceable component and a base component of an optical system according to various examples.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates a geometric arrangement of a transmission system having a plurality of transmission units with respect to a replaceable component and a base component of an optical system according to various examples.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a geometrical arrangement of a transmission system with a plurality of transmission units with respect to a replaceable component and a base component of an optical system according to various examples.

Fig. 12 schematically illustrates a geometric arrangement of a transmission system having a plurality of transmission units with respect to a replaceable component and a base component of an optical system according to various examples.

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates a geometric arrangement of a transmission system having a plurality of transmission units with respect to a replaceable component and a base component of an optical system according to various examples.

Fig. 14 illustrates an exemplary technique for spatially separating light used to image a sample object and other light used to transmit data.

Detailed Description

The nature, features and advantages of the invention described above, as well as the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and be understood more precisely with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments, which is explained in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar elements. The figures are schematic representations of different embodiments of the invention. Elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Rather, the various elements illustrated in the figures are reproduced so that their function and general purpose may be understood by those skilled in the art. The connections and couplings between the functional units and elements as shown may also be realized as indirect connections or couplings. The connection or coupling may be achieved in a wired or wireless manner. The functional units may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Various techniques for transferring data between two components of an optical system are described below. The techniques described herein may be particularly useful in optical systems having one or more replaceable components. Such optical systems are sometimes referred to as modular in that various replaceable components are selectively integrated into the system or may be removed from the system or replaced relative to one another. However, the techniques described herein may also be applied to non-modular systems, where the various components are stationary.

In various techniques described herein, data is encoded into light, and the light is subsequently transmitted between transmission units mounted on different components of an optical system. For example, light encoding data may be transmitted between a replaceable component and a base component of an optical system, or between two replaceable components.

By using light for transmitting data, the corresponding transmission unit can be realized in a particularly simple and space-saving manner. In particular, the use of cable connections or complex radio protocols can be omitted. In addition, electromagnetic interference (EMV) may be reduced or eliminated.

The techniques described herein may be used for various types of optical systems. Examples include microscope systems, such as optical microscopes or laser scanning microscopes. The application of the data may also vary, for example, depending on the optical system. For example, the operating mode of the optical system may be controlled based on the data. Alternatively or additionally, the user output may likewise be triggered, for example, by a user interface of the optical system. Depending on the type of application, the data may indicate different pieces of information. For example, the data may include a type of the at least one replaceable component. This type may for example represent the function of the replaceable component, e.g. a modification of the beam path with respect to the optical system. Alternatively or additionally, the data may also represent a serial number of the at least one replaceable component. The at least one replaceable component may be uniquely identified using the serial number. Alternatively or additionally, the data may also comprise an operating mode of the at least one replaceable component. The mode of operation may for example be related to the position of the replaceable component in the beam path. The mode of operation may represent a change in a beam path of the at least one replaceable component. The at least one replaceable component may alter the beam path in various ways depending on the mode of operation. In some examples, the data may also include, alternatively or additionally, a compensation parameter for compensating for an aberration of the beam path caused by the at least one replaceable component. For example, the compensation parameter may indicate a coefficient of each zernike polynomial term representing, for example, spherical aberration, defocus aberration, etc. The compensation parameters may alternatively or additionally also include a specific setting of the adaptive optical element that is set for wavefront correction. By way of example, the data may also indicate a compensation parameter that has a temporal dependency (e.g. depending on the duration of the operation).

FIG. 1 illustrates aspects related to an exemplary optical system 100. In the example of fig. 1, a modular optical system comprising a base component 101 is shown. The base assembly 101 is configured to releasably secure two replaceable assemblies 111 and 116. One of the replaceable components 111 and 113 may be releasably secured at the first position 181 (the replaceable component 112 is disposed in the beam path 130 in fig. 1). One of the replaceable assemblies 114 and 116 can be releasably secured at the second position 182 (in the example of fig. 1, the replaceable assembly 115 is releasably secured in the beam path 130). In FIG. 1, the exchange of replaceable components 111 and 116 is illustrated by vertical arrows.

The beam path 130 is defined relative to the base assembly 101 and the replaceable assembly 111 and 116 at locations 181, 182. For example, a multi-pixel detector for light 131 directed along the beam path 130 may be mounted in the base assembly 101. The changeable assembly 111 and 113 fixed at position 181 may enable changing the different objectives of the beam path 130. The exchangeable assembly 114 and 116 fixed at the position 182 may realize a sample holder, which is implemented to fix the sample object in the beam path 130, in which case the light 131 may be transmitted from the sample object along the beam path 130 to the detector in the base assembly 101. Such a configuration is by way of example only, and other implementations of optical system 100 are possible.

In the example of fig. 1, the various components 101, 111 and 116 of the optical system 100 each further comprise a transmission unit 120. The transmission unit 120 is arranged to transmit light 132. Data may be encoded into the light 132 and information may be exchanged between the various components 101, 111 and 116 in this manner by transferring the data using the transmission of the light 132.

Fig. 2 illustrates aspects related to the transmission unit 120. Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the transmission unit 120 as part of an active electronic component. The transmission unit 120 here comprises a receiver 121 for light 132, a transmitter 122 for light 132, a power supply 123 providing power for operating the receiver 121 and the transmitter 122, and a controller 124. As an example, the receiver 121 may include one or more photodiodes. For example, the emitter 122 may include one or more light sources, such as one or more light emitting diodes or lasers. The power supply section 123 may have an energy storage device, such as a battery, an inductor, or a capacitor. The power supply section 123 may be arranged to carry out voltage conversion. In some examples, the power supply component 123 may include a photovoltaic energy converter configured to convert the light 131 and/or the light 132 into electrical energy and provide the electrical energy to operate the transmission unit 120. This then eliminates the need for a cable-bound power supply component, such as one with a battery.

The controller 124 may be configured to control the operation of the receiver 121 and/or the operation of the transmitter 122. For example, when using a time slot technique of alternately transmitting light 131 and light 132, then a corresponding time synchronization of the operation of the receiver 121 and/or transmitter 122 may be necessary. In other examples, different modes of operation of the transmission of light 132 may be used, for example to selectively write information to the holographic element. In that case, the controller 124 may be arranged to operate the lasers of the transmitter 122 at different transmit powers depending on the active mode of operation.

Although the example of fig. 2 illustrates a scenario in which the transmission unit 120 has both a receiver 121 and a transmitter 122, in other examples, the transmission unit 120 of at least some of the components 101, 111 and 116 may also have either a receiver 121 or a transmitter 122. Then, depending on the equipment of the transmission units 120, data may be transmitted between the different components 101, 111 and 116 unidirectionally or bidirectionally, that is to say light 132 may be transmitted between the corresponding transmission units 120 unidirectionally or bidirectionally.

to encode data into the light 132, the controller 124 may use various techniques. For example, data may be encoded into the light 132 by time modulating the amplitude of the light 132. For example, one alternative is spatial modulation, such as the phase position of light 132 relative to the holographic storage image.

Fig. 3 illustrates aspects related to the transmission unit 120. In the example of fig. 3, the transmission unit 120 is implemented as a passive element that does not require a power supply to operate. The transmission unit 120 includes a holographic storage image 125. Holographic storage image 125 is arranged to store data. The holographic storage image 125 may be realized, for example, by a phase plate. The holographic storage image 125 may have a polymer matrix embedded in a substrate, for example.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary method. First, data is encoded into light at 1001. The light is then transmitted 1002.

For example, the method according to fig. 4 may be implemented by the optical system 100 according to the examples discussed above. The light 132 may then be transmitted between the transmission units 120 of the two assemblies 101, 111 and 116. For example, the method according to fig. 4 may further comprise releasably securing at least one of the replaceable assemblies 111 and 116 by the base assembly 101. The method may further include transmitting light 131 along the beam path 130.

FIG. 5 illustrates aspects of an exemplary implementation for optical system 100 as a light microscope. In the example of fig. 5, the optical system 100 comprises a base assembly 101 on which a replaceable assembly 112 in the form of an objective lens is mounted. The objective lens comprises a plurality of lenses 501-503. The transmission unit 120-1 of the base assembly 101 includes a receiver 121-1 and a transmitter 122-1. The transmission unit 120-2 of the replaceable component 112 includes a receiver 121-2 and a transmitter 122-2. As is apparent from fig. 5, an aperture 510 is defined relative to the beam path 130. The light 132 used to transfer data between the transmission units 120-1, 120-2 passes through the same aperture 510, and the light 131 also passes through the aperture 510.

in the example of fig. 5, the transmitter 122-2 and the receiver 121-2 of the transmission unit 120-2 are arranged on different sides of the beam path 130 spatially separated from each other. Here, the receiver 121-2 and the transmitter 122-2 of the transmission unit 120-2 may be electrically connected to each other through corresponding wire-bound transmission links (not shown in fig. 5). For example, it is possible that a photoelectric energy converter supplying energy to the transmission unit 120-2 is arranged in the region of the receiver 121-2 and/or in the region of the transmitter 122-2 (not shown in fig. 5).

fig. 6 illustrates aspects of an exemplary implementation for optical system 100. The exemplary implementation according to fig. 6 corresponds in principle to the exemplary implementation according to fig. 5. However, in the example of fig. 6, the receiver 121-2 and the transmitter 122-2 of the transmission unit 120-2 are arranged deeper in the objective lens 112, that is to say further away from the base component 101. This means that the light 132 passes through a lens 501 of the objective lens 112, which is arranged to modify the beam path 130 of the light 131. To assist in the propagation of the light 132, a reflector 132A is provided on the frame of the replaceable component 112. The reflector may particularly exhibit a selectively high reflectivity in the frequency range of the light 132. This can be ensured by suitable coatings, for example by multilayer systems.

Instead of a physically separate arrangement of the receiver 121-2 and the transmitter 122-2, it is also possible in the examples described herein, in particular in the examples of fig. 5 and 6, to integrate the receiver 121-2 and the transmitter 122-2 in one housing, so that the installation space on only one side of the beam path 130 is occupied.

Fig. 7 illustrates aspects of an exemplary implementation for optical system 100. In the example of fig. 7, the replaceable component 113 implements a filter cube. In the example of fig. 7, the receiver 121-1 and the transmitter 122-1 of the transmission unit 120-2 are integrated in one housing. Thus, the transmitter 122-2 and the receiver 121-2 of the transmission unit 120-2 are also integrated in one housing.

In the example of fig. 7, the replaceable assembly 113 is movable (illustrated by the arrows). For example, based on the data transferred between the transfer units 120-1, 120-2, the location of the replaceable component 113 may be determined. For example, a catch may be identified.

Fig. 8 illustrates aspects of an exemplary implementation for optical system 100. In the example of fig. 8, the sample holder is implemented by a replaceable assembly 114. The area of the sample holder 114 illuminated by the beam path 130 of the light 131 is illustrated in fig. 8 in hatched fashion. As is evident from the example of fig. 8, the transmission units 120-1, 120-2 are arranged spatially separated from the illumination area. In general, by separately transmitting in at least one of a location space, a time space and a frequency space, an interaction between the light 131 and the light 132 may be ensured.

In particular with regard to transferring data to the replaceable component implementing the sample holder, the overview camera may be used as a multi-pixel detector as a receiver 121-1 attached to the transmission unit 120-1 of the base component 101. This is because the overview camera may be arranged to provide an overview image of the sample object secured to the sample holder. To this end, the overview camera may also be arranged to detect light 131.

Fig. 9 illustrates aspects of an exemplary implementation for optical system 100. In the example of fig. 9, the transmission unit 120-2 is implemented as a passive component by means of the holographic storage image 125. Although in the example of fig. 9 the holographic storage image 125 is mounted on the replaceable component 112, which is implemented as an objective lens, in other examples the corresponding holographic storage image 125 may equally be mounted on other types of replaceable components 111 and 116.

The example in fig. 9 illustrates a technique for transferring data from transmission unit 120-2 to transmission unit 120-1. To this end, emitter 121-1 of transmission unit 120-1 is arranged to emit laser light 132 onto holographic storage image 125. The reflected laser light 132 is then received by the receiver 121-1 of the transmission unit 120-1. In this manner, data stored in holographic storage image 125 may be read by transmission unit 120-1. Here, the holographic storage image is not changed or not significantly changed. In this connection, the transmission unit 120-2 may also be referred to as a storage unit.

Such an operation corresponds to a read mode. In other examples, the write mode may also be implemented as an alternative or in addition to the read mode. In this case, the transmission power of laser 122-1 may be increased, for example, such that data is written into holographic storage image 125 of transmission unit 120-2.

in the example of fig. 9, holographic storage image 125 is mounted on the frame of replaceable component 112. In particular, light 131 along beam path 130 need not pass through the corresponding substrate of holographic storage image 125.

fig. 10 illustrates aspects of an exemplary implementation for optical system 100. In the example of fig. 10, the replaceable component 113 is implemented as a filter. The transfer unit 120-2 again includes a holographic storage image 125, the holographic storage image 125 being mounted on a surface of a corresponding housing of the replaceable component 113.

Fig. 11 illustrates aspects of an exemplary implementation for optical system 100. The example in fig. 11 corresponds in principle to the example in fig. 9. In this case, however, holographic storage image 125 comprises a transparent substrate disposed on lens 501 of replaceable component 112 within beam path 130. The substrate may also be referred to as a structure. The substrate may be applied by photolithography, for example. However, the light 131 may pass through the transparent substrate to a large extent without change.

Fig. 12 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the optical system 100. In fig. 12, replaceable assembly 112 provides the objective function. Replaceable component 112 includes an inner frame 511 and an outer frame 513. The lenses 501, 502 having an objective function are disposed within the inner frame 511. The beam path 130 of the light 131 passes through the lenses 501, 502. The transmitter 122 of the transfer unit 120 of the exchangeable assembly 112 is arranged spatially separated from the lenses 501, 502 in an intermediate space between the inner frame 511 and the outer frame 513. The light source 122 emits light 132 in a radial direction towards the central ray of the beam path 130, or in the direction of the lens 501. The lens 501 is arranged to deflect the light 132 by scattering, in particular also parallel to the beam path 130. In this way, the light may be deflected in the direction of the base assembly 101. The deflection may be achieved, for example, primarily at the point where light 132 is coupled into lens 501 (lower inset of fig. 12) or uniformly over lens 502 (upper inset of fig. 12).

Such directing of the light 132 may also be achieved in the opposite direction to the detector of the transmission unit 120.

Fig. 13 illustrates aspects of an exemplary implementation for optical system 100. The implementation according to the example in fig. 13 corresponds in principle to the implementation according to the example in fig. 12. In particular, even in the implementation according to fig. 13, the light source 122 of the transmission unit 120 is arranged in an intermediate space between the inner frame 511 and the outer frame 513 of the exchangeable assembly 112. However, the light source 122 is arranged to transmit light 132 in parallel with the central ray of the beam path 130 in the intermediate space between the frames 511, 513. In this way, it is ensured that the light 132 is transmitted outside the frame 511 spatially separated from the light 131.

fig. 14 illustrates aspects regarding the separation of the light 131, 132. It may sometimes be desirable to achieve a partial spatial separation of light 131 from light 132. The separation or recombination can then be achieved by a frequency dependent splitter 132B as shown in fig. 14. For example, beam splitter 132B may make it possible to separate light 131 from light 132 to use separate detectors.

In summary, various techniques are described above to enable the use of light to transfer data in an optical system having multiple components. The respective transmission unit can be retroactively mounted on the existing assembly or fixedly integrated in said assembly. Here, the corresponding transmission unit may in various examples be attached within a frame defining the optical housing. In other examples, the beam path of the light used to inspect the sample object may be spatially separated from the light that transfers the data.

In various examples described herein, the voltage supply of the transmission unit may be implemented in a wired, wireless, or optical manner. Examples of consumers include controllers, detectors and light sources of the transmission unit.

The directing of the light that transfers the data may include a dedicated optical element, such as a reflector. Alternatively or additionally, existing optical elements arranged to direct light of the examination sample object along the corresponding beam path may also be used to direct light of the transferred data. For example, a lens with a scattering center may be used to deflect the light that transfers the data. Such scattering centers may for example be realized by unpolished surfaces, edges, etc. Alternatively or additionally, such scattering centers may be realized by specially configured surfaces with tailored scattering or reflecting properties, such as thick layers, masks, micro-mirrors, stripes or scratches, etc. Mechanical interfaces are also conceivable.

A specific detector may be used to detect the light used to transfer the data. Alternatively, already available cameras may also detect light along the beam path to image the sample object to be used.

It goes without saying that the features of the embodiments of the invention described above and the aspects of the invention can be combined with each other. In particular, these features can be used not only in the described combinations, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the techniques described herein may be used to transfer data between various components of an optical system, such as filters, polarizers, modulators, objective lenses, sample holders, and the like.

For example, the different techniques can also be used for systems with a plurality of stationary components, that is to say without replaceable components.

Claims

1. an optical system (100) comprising:

-a base component (101) arranged to releasably secure at least one replaceable component (111) and 116), and

-a light beam path (130) arranged to transmit the first light (131)

Wherein the optical system (100) is arranged to encode data into the second light (132) and to transmit the second light (132) between the first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) and the second transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2), the first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) being mounted on the at least one replaceable component (111) and 116.

2. The optical system (100) of claim 1,

Wherein the first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) comprises a photoelectric energy converter (123),

wherein the photoelectric energy converter (123) is arranged to convert the first light (131) and/or the second light (132) into electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy for operating the first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2).

3. The optical system (100) according to claim 1 or 2,

Wherein the first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) comprises a holographic storage image (125), the holographic storage image (125) being mounted on the at least one replaceable component (111) and arranged to store the data.

4. The optical system (100) of claim 3,

wherein the second transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) comprises a controller (124), at least one laser and a detector,

Wherein the controller (124) is arranged to selectively operate the at least one laser in a read mode or a write mode,

Wherein the at least one laser and the detector are arranged to read the data from the holographic storage image (125) in the read mode,

Wherein the at least one laser is arranged to write the data in the holographic storage image (125) in the write mode.

5. The optical system (100) according to claim 3 or 4,

Wherein the holographic storage image (125) is formed by a transparent substrate arranged on the optical elements (501-503) of the at least one exchangeable assembly (111-116) and arranged in the beam path (130) and/or structured on the optical elements (501-503).

6. The optical system (100) of any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein the first light (131) and the second light (132) are transmitted separately in at least one of a location space, a time space and a frequency space.

7. the optical system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

An aperture (510) and/or a lens (501-503) defining the beam path (130),

-wherein said second light (132) is transmitted between said first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) and said second transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) through said aperture (510) and/or said lens (501-503).

8. The optical system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

-said at least one replaceable component (111) and (116), said at least one replaceable component (111) and (116) having a frame (511),

An aperture (510), the aperture (510) being arranged within the frame (511) and defining the beam path (130),

Wherein the second light (132) is transmitted outside the frame (511) spatially separated from the first light.

9. The optical system (100) of any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein the optical system (100) is arranged to encode the data into the second light (132) by temporal modulation and/or by spatial modulation.

10. the optical system (100) of any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein the optical system (100) is arranged to transmit the second light (132) bi-directionally between the first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) and the second transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2).

11. The optical system (100) of any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein the first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) comprises a transmitter (122-2) and a receiver (121-2) which are arranged on different sides of the beam path (130) spatially separated from each other.

12. The optical system (100) of any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein the first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) comprises a light source (122), the light source (122) being arranged radially adjacent to a lens (501-,

Wherein the lens (501-503) is arranged to deflect the second light (132) by scattering.

13. The optical system (100) of any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein the at least one replaceable component (111) and (116) is selected from a group comprising: an objective lens; a filter and a sample holder.

14. The optical system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

-a sample holder arranged to fix a sample object in the beam path (130),

Wherein the second transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) comprises a multi-pixel detector arranged in an image plane of an imaging optical unit of the optical system defined with respect to the sample object and arranged to capture the second light (132) and further to capture an image of the sample object based on the first light.

15. The optical system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

-a control unit (150), the control unit (150) being arranged to control an operation mode of the optical system and/or to trigger a user output based on the data.

16. The optical system (100) of any one of the preceding claims,

Wherein the data is selected from the group consisting of:

-a type of the at least one replaceable component (111) and (116);

-a serial number of the at least one replaceable component (111-116);

-an operating mode of said at least one replaceable component (111) and (116);

-a recommended mode of operation of the at least one other replaceable component (111-116); and

-a compensation parameter for compensating an aberration of the beam path (130) caused by the at least one exchangeable component (111) and (116).

17. A method, comprising:

-releasably fixing at least one replaceable component (111) of the optical system (100) by means of a base component (101) of the optical system,

-transmitting first light (131) along a beam path (130),

-encoding data into the second light (132), and

-transmitting the second light between a first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) and a second transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2), the first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) being mounted on the at least one replaceable component (111) and (116).

18. An optical system (100) comprising:

-a plurality of components, and

-a beam path (130), the beam path (130) being arranged to transmit first light (131),

Wherein the optical system (100) is arranged to encode data into second light (132) and to transmit the second light (132) between a first transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) mounted on a first component of the optical system and a second transmission unit (120, 120-1, 120-2) mounted on a second component of the optical system.