TW202204971A - Scanner system and method having adjustable path length with constant input and output optical axes - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical system for focusing an imaging device, such as a microscope, camera, telescope, etc., by changing the optical distance between an objective lens and an image plane to focus the object being imaged. Some embodiments include autofocusing capability. In some embodiments, the image plane is an eyepiece focal plane, a digital-camera imager plane, or an intermediate plane that is then used for further imaging. In some embodiments, the optical system includes a beam-scanning system that directs an optical path through a first rotatable pair of reflectors, such as a retro-reflector or two parallel mirrors, or a refractive prism, or the like, plus a fixed intermediate retroreflector configured to redirect the optical path in an antiparallel direction back through the first rotatable structure, in order to change an optical path length of a light beam without changing the input and output optical axes of the light beam.

Description

Scanner system and method having an adjustable path length with constant input and output optical axes Law 【Cross-reference of related applications】

This application contains the following priority claims under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), including:

- Kenneth. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/972,553, entitled "Scanner System Allowing Change in Path Length with Constant Input and Output Optical Axes," filed by Kenneth Li on February 10, 2020;

- Kenneth. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/106,813, filed by Lee on October 28, 2020, entitled "Scanner System with Variable Path Length for Microscope Focusing"; and

- Kenneth. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/125,357, filed December 14, 2020, by Lee, entitled "Scanner System with Variable Path Length for Microscope Focusing";

The foregoing application is incorporated by reference into this specification in its entirety.

The present invention relates to the field of optical path length adjustment, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for rapidly adjusting optical path length while maintaining high image resolution and keeping the input and output optical axes constant, which has the advantages of focusing on high resolution Imaging applications, optionally including autofocus and multi-depth imaging, can be used for microscopes, telescopes, binoculars, cameras, mobile phones, endoscopes, and more.

The first A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional dual-lens system 101 . In this specification, each of the two lenses 121 and 122 is represented schematically as a simple convex-convex lens, but a more complex multi-lens subsystem may replace one or both of the lenses 121 and 122. Many optics require Change the optical path length in the system while maintaining the same input and output optical axes. For example, as shown in Fig. 1 A, the input beam of the parallel light ray 110 is incident on a first lens (or a focusing system with multiple lenses, etc.) 121 (for ease of discussion, the first or input lens or lens system 121 will be referred to below for short). is any version of the input lens 121 and should be understood to optionally contain one or more focusing elements; such as a lens, a curved reflector, or a holographic or diffractive grating element) and a second lens (or focusing system with multiple lenses, etc.) 122 (for ease of discussion, the second or output lens or lens system 122 is hereinafter referred to simply as any version of output lens 122), and uses lens 122 to project output beam 111, which is located a distance 133 from lens 121 , so that the focal point 120 of the lens 121 (a distance 131 from the lens 121 ) coincides with the focal point 123 located on the left side of the lens 122 (a distance 132 from the lens 122 ). Note that in the various figures, the first lens 121 and the second lens 122 are each schematically shown as a single convex-convex lens; in various embodiments, any suitable single lens or multiple A lens system or a hologram or other focusing system is used for lens 121 and/or lens 122 .

As used in this specification, a beam of light is called a parallel or parallel beam if the light of the beam is considered to be parallel rays; if the light of the beam is considered to diverge as it leaves the lens in the direction of propagation, the beam is called divergent ; and a beam of light is said to converge if the light of the beam is considered as a ray that converges as it leaves the lens in the direction of propagation.

In this configuration, the output beam 111 from the lens 122 is also parallel. If lens 122 is moved closer to lens 121 such that lens 122 is a distance 134 from lens 121, as shown in Figure B, the focal point 120 of lens 121 will be within the focal length of lens 122. In this case, the output beams will be divergent rather than parallel. As shown in the first panel C, as the lens 122 is moved further a distance of 135 to the lens 121, the output divergence will further increase. Such optical systems are very popular and are used in many lighting applications by physically adjusting the position of lens 121 and/or lens 122, thereby achieving distances 133, 134 and 135.

The second figure is a cross-sectional side view of a possible system 201 in which the input beam 210 is reflected twice by an inverse reflector 220 formed by two orthogonal planar mirrors 221 and 222. The output beam 211 is reflected back to form the output beam, which is laterally displaced and propagates in the opposite (antiparallel) direction to the input beam 210 . When retroreflector 220 is translated linearly (such as to position 220'), for example, in direction 239 parallel to input beam 210 and output beam 211, the light of the beam The learning path length will increase by the sum of lengths 231 to 232 plus lengths 233 to 234. For the particular two-lens system combination as shown in the first figure, lens 121 can be placed in the path of the input beam 210 and lens 122 can be placed in the path of the output beam 211 so that the retroreflector can be translated linearly by 220 to change the optical path length between lens 121 and lens 122.

On the other hand, many other systems have lens 121 and lens 122 at fixed locations and require the optical path distance to be varied by some motor means located between lens 121 and lens 122.

US Patent No. 7,126,098, entitled "Taking lens having focus determination optical system," issued to Nakamura on October 24, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference. Patent No. 7,126,098 describes a photographing lens comprising an imaging optical system that allows object light to enter an image capture element for camera photography and a focus determining optical system that separates object light and allows The separated light enters a focus state to determine the image capture element. The photographing lens includes an imaging optical length adjusting device that adjusts the optical length of the imaging optical system, and a focus determining optical length adjusting device that adjusts the optical length of the focus determining optical system. Therefore, the respective optical lengths can be adjusted individually and are easily adjusted at the factory.

US Patent No. 6,961,173, entitled "Vertical fine movement mechanism of microscope," issued to Kinoshita et al. on November 1, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference. Patent No. 6,961,173 describes a highly stable optical microscope so that the image of the sample does not become blurred during observation, and no movement (drift) of the object point (object) occurs. The conventional optical microscope is modified by adding a vertical straight motion guide mechanism for symmetrically moving the objective lens of the microscope with respect to the optical axis, and a fine adjustment unit for the objective lens.

Still other systems alter the shape of one or more lenses, which can leave unwanted geometric and/or chromatic distortions in the image.

US Patent No. 8,400,558, entitled "Image stabilization circuitry for liquid lens," issued to Berge et al. on March 19, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference. Patent No. 8,400,558 describes a method of controlling a liquid lens in an imaging device comprising electrowetting between a first and a second immiscible liquid A deformed liquid-liquid interface; a chamber containing first and second liquids, the first liquid being an insulating liquid and the second liquid being a conductive liquid; and a first electrode in contact with the second liquid and with the insulating layer a second liquid insulated at least one second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode arranged to allow a plurality of voltage levels to be applied between the first electrode and the second electrode to control the curvature of the liquid-liquid interface, The method includes: determining motion data representative of motion of the imaging device; determining focus data representative of a desired focus of the imaging device; determining a plurality of voltage levels to be applied between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the voltages Each of the levels is a function of motion data, focus data, and at least one liquid lens-related parameter, and is initially determined during a calibration phase.

Since linear translation systems can be bulky, cumbersome, and slow to respond, and since systems that change lens shape introduce undesirable image distortions, there is a need for an improved system and method for changing optics while keeping the input beam output beam in a fixed position Path length, where the system is smaller, lighter, faster than conventional systems that vary the optical path length, and provides high-resolution images with low distortion.

In some embodiments, the present invention includes an optical path length adjustment system and/or configuration that uses a rotary subsystem rather than a linear translation system (eg, the linear translation system of the second figure) to vary the optical path length. Some embodiments of the present invention include at least one fixed retroreflector. In some embodiments, the rotary subsystem receives the input beam, and the rotary subsystem reflects the beam at least twice, which imparts a path length change and adds a first lateral displacement to the beam. In various embodiments, the input beams are collimated, diverging or converging depending on external optical considerations. The beam is then retroreflected by at least one fixed retroreflector, which applies a second lateral displacement (in some embodiments, in a direction perpendicular to the first lateral displacement) and directs the beam back through the rotary subsystem. The rotary subsystem then imparts an additional change in path length, but subtracts the first lateral displacement, so that the output beam is laterally displaced relative to the input beam by the second displacement and propagates in a direction antiparallel to the input beam. As used in this specification, a second beam is "antiparallel" to a first beam if the optical axis of the second beam is parallel to the optical axis of the first beam and the second beam propagates in the opposite direction to the first beam .

In various embodiments, the output beams are collimated, diverging, or converging, as desired by external optical considerations. Some embodiments contain one or more additional input counters as desired reflectors and/or one or more additional output reflectors to align the input beam and/or output beam in a desired direction relative to each other and relative to the optical path length adjustment system. Some embodiments include one or more additional input lens systems and/or one or more additional output lens systems; and in some such embodiments, the focal point of the one or more additional input lens systems and one or more additional input lens systems. The focal points of the multiple additional output lens systems are inside the optical path length adjustment system.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an optical path length adjustment system comprising: a first beam deflection assembly rotatable to a plurality of different angles and operatively coupled to receive an entry into the optical path length adjustment an input beam of the system that propagates along an input optical axis through a defined input point and forms a first intermediate beam parallel or antiparallel to the input beam; and a second optical assembly relative to the input beam The input beam of the optical path length adjustment system is in a fixed position and orientation and is operatively coupled to receive the first intermediate beam and form a first intermediate beam antiparallel to and laterally offset from the first intermediate beam Two intermediate beams, wherein the first beam deflection assembly is operatively coupled to receive the second intermediate beam and form an output beam propagating along an output optical axis passing through a defined output point and following the The first beam deflecting component remains at a fixed position and angular orientation when rotated to any of a plurality of different angles to change the optical path length between the defined input point and the defined output point.

Some embodiments further include a microscope system with an electronic imager, wherein an optical path length adjustment system is inserted into the optical path through the microscope system to provide adjustable focus for autofocusing and/or collecting a plurality of images, each of which On different focal planes in microscope systems where the adjustable focus can be quickly adjusted at the video frame rate, eg, in some embodiments, capturing each of a plurality of video images in 1/60 second or less Alternatively, 60 images are captured in one second, each on a different focal plane in the object to be imaged, and then multiple video images are used to reconstruct a single two-dimensional (2D) image to display a three-dimensional ( 3D) the various parts of the object, all in focus, while other embodiments of the system combine multiple images to generate 3D images that can be manipulated to display the user's view of the 3D image from different perspectives (like from the object view objects from different perspectives).

98: The human user's eyes

99, 97: Objects

99.1, 99.2, 99.3: Focus plane position

101: Dual Lens System

110: Parallel rays

111, 211: output beam

120: Focus

121, 122: Lens

131, 132, 133, 134, 135: distance

201: System

210, 731, 831, 1031: Input beam

220, 310: Inverted reflector

221, 222: Orthogonal plane mirror

231-234: Length

301, 501, 501', 601, 601', 901, 901', 901", 1001, 1101, 1401, 1501, 1501', 1501", 2601: Optical Path Length Adjustment System

308: Optical axis

310’: bearing

311, 312, 1526, 1527: Flat mirrors

331-338: Sections

410: Optical Path Length

510, 510': rotatable flat mirror inverted reflector

511, 512, 911, 912, 1251, 1252, 1451, 1511, 1512, 1528, 1751, 1752: Reflector

520: Fixed position flat mirror inverted reflector

531, 532: Incident beam

533: First Intermediate Beam

534, 536: Beam

535: Second Intermediate Beam

537, 733, 837, 1037: Output beam

541: starting point

542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 542', 543', 544', 545', 546', 548, 749', 841-849, 841'-849': points

547: Endpoint

650: Focus

701, 701’: Rotatable parallel cutting plane system

710, 710’: Jihan

732, 732', 733': Beam section

741-749, 741'-749': path length

810, 810': Optical board

811: Input face

812: Output face

820’, 1020, 2620: Static retroreflector

833, 835: Intermediate beam

910, 910': A pair of rotatable parallel mirrors

911, 912: The first rotation orientation

911', 912': Second rotation orientation

920, 1020: Fixed position flat mirror inverted reflector

1010: Transparency

1011: Transmission Input Surface

1012, 1013: Surface

1012, 1013: Reflective surface

1014: Transmission output surface

1032: Reflected Beam

1033, 1033': Intermediate beam

1131, 1231, 1431, 1531: Input beam

1137, 1237, 1437: Anti-parallel output beam

1140: Optical Path Length Adjuster

1141, 1241: Fixed position input point

1149, 1249: fixed position output point

1160, 1260, 1460, 1760, 1860: Controller

1510: Scanning Inverted Reflector

1520: Fixed position inverted reflector

1528: Output mirror

1537: Intermediate output beam

1539: Final output beam

1541: input point

1542-1548, 1542’-1548’, 1542”-1548”: Internal reflection points

1549: output point

1601: Conventional Microscopy Systems

1606: Objective System

1608: Eyepiece System

1640: Tube length

1701, 1801, 2701: Microscope Systems

1740, 1840, 2040, 2754: Optical Path Length Adjustment Systems

1870, 1970: Digital camera system

1901: Autofocus microscope system

1940, 2041: Variable Optical Path Systems

2001: Tandem autofocus microscope system

2071, 2108: Second objective lens system

2073: Intermediate Beam

2080: Microscope Subsystems

2090: Like Plane

2099: Fixed Image Plane Virtual Image

2101, 2501: Optical Path Length Adjustment System for Right Angle Microscopes

2201: Microscope Variable Focus Plane System

2206: Microscope Objectives

2220: focus reversal position

2225: Relay Lens System

2229, 2529: Tube lens

2231, 2232, 2236, 2372: Distance

2241: first parallel beam

2242: Second parallel beam

2250: Camera

2250, 2570: Imager

2301: Variable Focus Plane Optical Configurations for Microscopy

2311: Converging Beam

2312: Parallel output beam

2313: Divergent Beam

2401, 2402, 2403: Dual Lens Optical Relay Configuration

2410: Parallel Ray Input Beam

2410’: Input beam

2421: First Lens

2421, 2422: Lens

2431, 2431': focal length

2442: output beam

2506: Objective lens

2510: Rotatable Inverted Reflector

2520: Fixed triple mirror system

2521: First Relay Lens

2521, 2522, 2221, 2222: Relay lens

2522: Second Relay Lens

2528: Reflector

2540: Variable Optical Path Length Relay Lens Subsystem

2551: "Front" lighting

2555: Excitation Beam

2750: Condenser Lens System

2751: Lighting source

2752: Condenser Optics

Figure 1 A is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a dual-lens optical configuration 101 having an input beam containing parallel rays and an output beam containing parallel rays.

Figure 1 B is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a two-lens optical configuration 102 having an input beam containing parallel rays and an output beam containing slightly divergent rays.

Figure 1 C is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a two-lens optical configuration 103 having an input beam containing parallel rays and an output beam containing substantial divergence.

The second diagram is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a planar mirror inverse reflector optical path length adjustment system 201 using linear translation to vary the optical path length.

Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a flat mirror retroreflector optical path length adjustment system 301 that uses the rotation of the retroreflector to change the optical path length, but changes the output laterally as the retroreflector rotates position of the beam.

The fourth figure is a graph 401 of the optical path length 410 as the optical path length adjustment system 301 rotates the retroreflector.

Figure 5A shows a rotatable flat mirror retroreflector 510 and a fixed position flat mirror retroreflector 520 (shown here having the A side cross-sectional block diagram of a flat mirror optical path length adjustment system 501 for a retroreflector 510) in a first rotational orientation of a plurality of possible rotational orientations.

Figure 5B is a top cross-sectional view of the retroreflector optical path length adjustment system 501 with the retroreflector 510 in the first rotational orientation.

Figure 5 C is a perspective block diagram of the retro-reflector optical path length adjustment system 501 with the retro-reflector 510 in the first rotational orientation.

Figure 5 D is a side cross-sectional block diagram of the flat mirror retroreflector optical path length adjustment system 501 (in this specification, it is marked as 501' due to the position change of the optical path), wherein the retroreflector 510 is in a plurality of possible A second rotational orientation in the rotational orientation (indicated as 510' in this specification).

Figure 5 E is a top cross-sectional block diagram of a retro-reflector optical path length adjustment system 501'

Figure 5F is a perspective block of the retro-reflector optical path length adjustment system 501' with the retro-reflector 510 in the second rotational orientation (designated 510' in this specification) picture.

Figure 6A shows some embodiments in accordance with the present invention using two lenses 121 and 122 (when viewed from the side, the two lenses are very close to each other because they have the same Y and Z coordinates, but as in Figure 6B shown with different X-coordinates) with a rotatable flat mirror inverse reflector 510 and a fixed position flat mirror inverse reflector 520 (shown here with a plurality of possible options) that rotate to vary the optical path length A side cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 601 for a planar mirror retroreflector 510) in a first rotational orientation in a rotational orientation.

Figure 6B is a top cross-sectional block diagram of the retroreflector optical path length adjustment system 601 with the rotatable retroreflector 510 in the first rotational orientation.

Figure 6 C is a perspective block diagram of a retro-reflector optical path length adjustment system 601 with a rotatable retro-reflector 510 in a first rotational orientation.

Figure 6 D is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a flat mirror retroreflector optical path length adjustment system 601 (denoted as 601' in this specification due to a change in the position of the optical path), wherein the rotatable retroreflector 510 is in a complex number A second rotational orientation (indicated as 510' in this specification) among the possible rotational orientations.

Figure 6 E is a top cross-sectional block diagram of a retroreflector optical path length adjustment system 601' having a rotatable retroreflector 510 in a second rotational orientation (designated 510' in this specification).

Figure 6F is a perspective block of a retro-reflector optical path length adjustment system 601' with retro-reflector 510 in a second rotational orientation (designated 510' in this specification), according to some embodiments of the present invention picture.

FIG. 7A shows the rotation of the lens 710 to change the optical path length according to some embodiments of the present invention, wherein the lens 710 is shown as a rotatable parallel-section plane within a first rotational orientation of a plurality of possible rotational orientations. A side cross-sectional block diagram of system 701.

FIG. 7B shows some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, wherein the horn 710 is positioned to the side of the rotatable parallel section horn system 701 ′ in a second rotational orientation (labeled as 710 ′) of a plurality of possible rotational orientations View section block diagram.

The seventh figure C is according to some specific embodiments of the present invention, wherein the 710 A perspective block diagram of a rotatable parallel-section plane system 701' in a second rotational orientation (designated 710') of a plurality of possible rotational orientations.

Figure 8A shows a rotatable parallel tangent plane 810 using rotation to change one of the optical path lengths of the beam, and redirect the beam back in an anti-parallel direction through a fixed plane of the beam 810, according to some embodiments of the present invention. A side cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 801 with a position plane mirror retroreflector 820 (here shown having the retroreflector 510 in a first rotational orientation of a plurality of possible rotational orientations).

Figure 8B is a top cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 801 having a rotatable horn 810 in a first rotational orientation, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Eighth C is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 801 having a rotatable horn 810 in a first rotational orientation, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Eighth D is a side cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 801 (denoted as 801 ′ in this specification due to the position change of the optical path) in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, wherein the rotatable horn 810 A second rotational orientation (indicated as 810' in this specification) in a plurality of possible rotational orientations.

Eighth Figure E is a top cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 801 having a rotatable horn 810 in a second rotational orientation (designated as 810' in this specification) in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 8 F is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 801 having a rotatable pole 810 in a second rotational orientation (designated 810' in this specification), according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 9A shows the use of a pair of rotatable parallel mirrors 910 that rotate together to change the optical path length of the beam and redirect the beam back through the pair of parallel mirrors in an antiparallel direction, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Side view of optical path length adjustment system 901 of a fixed position flat mirror retroreflector 920 of 910 (shown here with the pair of parallel mirrors 910 in a first rotational orientation of a plurality of possible rotational orientations) Sectional block diagram.

Figure 9B is a top cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 901 having a pair of rotatable parallel mirrors 910 in a first rotational orientation.

Figure 9 C is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 901 with a pair of rotatable parallel mirrors 910 in a first rotational orientation.

Ninth D is a perspective cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 901 (designated 901' in this specification due to the change in position of the optical path) with the pair of rotatable mirrors 910 in a plurality of possible rotational orientations A second rotational orientation (indicated as 910' in this specification).

Figure 9 E shows optical path length adjustment system 901" (shown in a first rotational orientation (labeled 911 and 912 in this specification) and a second rotational orientation (in this specification), according to some embodiments of the present invention. Side view cross-sectional block diagram of overlay 910 with a pair of rotatable parallel mirror pairs within 911' and 912').

FIG. 10A shows a method of rotating the parallelogram 1010 using rotation to change one of the optical path lengths of the light beam and redirecting the beam back through the quadrilateral 1010 in an antiparallel direction, according to some embodiments of the present invention. A side cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1001 of a fixed position flat mirror inverse reflector 1020 (here shown with a quadrangle 1010 in a first rotational orientation of a plurality of possible rotational orientations).

Figure 10 B is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1001 having a rotatable quadrilateral 1010 in a first rotational orientation, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 10 C is a side cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1001 (denoted as 1001' in this specification due to a change in the position of the optical path) in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in which a rotatable quadrilateral 1010 is in a second rotational orientation (designated 1010' in this specification) of a plurality of possible rotational orientations.

Figure 10 D is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1001 having a rotatable quadrangle 1010 in a second rotational orientation (designated 1010' in this specification), according to some embodiments of the present invention.

11 is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1101 including a controller 1160 coupled to control an optical path length adjuster 1140 to adjust the optical path length adjustment system 1131 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The light is redirected into a laterally displaced, fixed-position, anti-parallel output beam 1137.

Figure 12 is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1201, the system including a controller 1260 coupled to control an optical path length adjuster 1140, which is coupled to Mirrors 1251 and 1252 are connected, and together these mirrors change the optical path length of the beam and direct output beam 1237 in the same direction and along the same axis of propagation as input beam 1231.

Figure thirteen is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1301, the system including a controller 1360 coupled to control an optical path length adjuster 1140, which is coupled to Mirrors 1351 and 1352 are connected, and together these mirrors change the optical path length of the beam and redirect the light from input beam 1331 laterally at right angles to form output beam 1337.

Figure 14 is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1401 including a controller 1460 coupled to control the optical path length adjuster 1140 and the mirror 1451 ( Together with input beam 1431 clipping a 45 degree flat mirror) to change the optical path length of the beam and redirect light from input beam 1431 laterally at right angles to form output beam 1437.

Figure 15A is a top block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501 for controlling optical path length with a rotatable retroreflector 1510 in a first angular orientation, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Fifteenth B is a side view block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501 with an inverted reflector 1510 (including flat mirrors 1511 and 1512) in a first angular orientation.

Fifteenth C is a perspective block diagram of the optical path length adjustment system 1501 with the retroreflector 510 in the first angular orientation.

Figure 15 D is a top block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501'

Fifteenth E is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501' having a retroreflector 1510 in a second angular orientation (designated 1510').

Fifteenth F is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501'

Figure 15 G is a top block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501" having a retroreflector 1510 in a third angular orientation (designated 1510") in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Fifteenth H is a side view block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501" having a retroreflector 1510 in a third angular orientation (designated 1510").

Fifteenth i Figure is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501" having a retroreflector 1510 in a third angular orientation (designated 1510").

Figure 16 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a conventional microscope system 1601 that changes the tube length 1640 between the objective lens system 1606 and the eyepiece system 1608 to change the optical path length to focus the image of the object 99 .

Figure seventeen is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a microscope system 1701 using optical path length adjustment system 1740 and mirrors 1751 and 1752 between objective system 1606 and eyepiece system 1608, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, together The optical path length is varied to bring the image of object 99 into focus.

Figure 18 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a microscope system 1801 that uses an optical path length adjustment system 1840 located between the objective lens system 1606 and the digital camera system 1870 to change the optical path in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention length to focus the image of the object 99, and optionally includes a controller 1860 for autofocus capability.

19 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of an autofocus microscope system 1901 using an optical path length adjustment system 1940 between an objective lens system 1606 and a digital camera system 1970 to change the optical path in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention Length to focus the image of the object.

Figure 20 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of an on-line autofocus microscope system 2001 using an optical path length adjustment system between the first objective lens system 1606 and the second objective lens system 2071 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention 2040 to generate a fixed image plane virtual image 2099 on the image plane 2090, and optionally include a third objective lens system 2006 of the microscope subsystem 2080.

Figure 21A is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a right-angle microscope optical path length adjustment system 2101 according to some embodiments of the present invention, which uses a first objective lens system A fixed three-mirror system 1520 and rotatable inverse reflector 1510 between 1606 and second objective system 2108.

FIG. 21B is an end-view cross-sectional block diagram of the optical path length adjustment system 2101 of the right-angle microscope.

FIG. 22 is an end-view cross-sectional block diagram of a microscope variable focus plane system 2201 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 23 is a side view block diagram of a variable focus planar optics configuration 2301 of a microscope in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 24A is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a dual-lens optical configuration 2401 having an input beam 2410 containing parallel rays and an output beam 2442 containing parallel rays.

Figure 24B is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a two-lens optical configuration 2402 having an input beam 2410' containing convergent rays and an output beam 2442 containing parallel rays.

Figure 24C is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a two-lens optical configuration 2403 having an input beam 2410" containing diverging rays and an output beam 2442 containing parallel rays.

FIG. 25 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a right-angle microscope optical path length adjustment system 2501 according to some embodiments of the present invention, which uses a fixed three-mirror system 2520 with a first relay lens 2521 and a second A rotatable retroreflector 2510 between the relay lenses, and a "tubular" lens 2529 that focuses the image on the camera imager 2570.

FIG. 26 is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 2601 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 27 is a side block diagram of a microscope system 2701 that includes an optical path length adjustment system 2754 within its condenser lens system 2750, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Although the following detailed description contains many details for purposes of illustration, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications of the following details are within the scope of the invention. For specific examples specific embodiments are described; however, the invention described in the Claims is not limited only to these examples, but includes the full scope of the appended Claims. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed without any loss of generality and without imposing limitations on the claimed invention. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which parts will be formed, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that other specific embodiments may be utilized and structural modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The specific embodiments shown in the drawings and described herein may include features that are not included in all specific embodiments. Particular embodiments may include only a subset of all features described, or certain embodiments may include all features described.

The leading numerals of a reference number appearing in the drawings generally correspond to the drawing number in which the component is first introduced, so that the same reference number is used throughout to refer to the same component that appears in multiple drawings. Signals and connections may be denoted by the same reference numbers or labels, and their actual meaning will be apparent through use in the description.

Certain trademarks cited in this specification may be common law or registered trademarks of third parties, whether related or unrelated to the applicant or assignee. These trademarks are used to provide disclosure by way of example and should not be construed to limit the scope of claimed subject matter to the material associated with these trademarks.

Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a flat mirror inverse reflector optical path length adjustment system 301 that uses rotation of the inverse reflector 301 (including flat mirrors 311 and 312) to change the optical path length, but with The retroreflector rotates to displace the position of the output beam by the amount of change in the first lateral direction. In some embodiments of the rotating flat mirror retroreflector system 301, the retroreflector 310 rotates or angularly scans (moves back and forth) within certain angular limits, such that during the rotation (or angular scan) the output beam reflects Back in the opposite direction relative to the input beam ("anti-parallel" direction), and the optical axis changes. In the third figure, the input beam along optical axis 308 (Z-axis direction) is represented by segments 331-332 when retroreflector 310 is in a zero degree rotational position. In some embodiments, the center of rotation of the retroreflector 310 around the Z axis is located at the center of a square formed by two mirrors 311 and 312 , which are oriented at 90 degrees to each other, and are formed together with the scanning retroreflector 310 Angle rotation. In general, the center of rotation of retroreflector 310 can be anywhere for ease of assembly and/or optical purposes. As described below, light The extent to which the beam is scanned depends on the position of the center of rotation. In some embodiments, the center of rotation may be within the perimeter of the retro reflector 310 , on the perimeter or corner of the retro reflector 310 , or outside the perimeter of the retro reflector 310 . For illustration purposes, assume that the retroreflector 310 is at a zero degree orientation, the input beam is normal to the mirror 312, and the length of the optical path segments 331-332 is 20 mm, so the total path length from the input point 331 back to the output point 311 Calculated to be 40mm with no lateral displacement of the beam axis. When retroreflector 310 is rotated to azimuth 310', eg, in a 21.5 degree position, the input beam starts again at input point 331, following the path of segments 331 to 333, 333 to 334, and 334 to 335, at point 331 The output at 335 has a first lateral displacement of the beam axis in a first lateral direction. The planes defined by segments 331 to 333 and 333 to 334 and 334 to 335 are perpendicular to the surfaces of mirrors 311 and 312 (when in the zero degree rotation position, the position of the reflector 310 can be rotated). The calculated total path length is 49.1mm. Similarly, when retroreflector 310 is rotated to azimuth 310" in the 45 degree position, the input beam will travel along the paths of segments 331 to 336, 336 to 337, and 337 to 338, with output point 338 Likewise, the planes bounded by sections 331 to 336 and 336 to 337 and sections 337 to 338 (eg, the plane of the paper in the third figure) are perpendicular to the plane surfaces of mirrors 311 and 312 (vertical The plane of the paper in the third figure). When in the zero-degree rotational position, the retroreflector is labeled 310. The calculated total path length is 48.4mm. These three sets of numbers are included in the optical path length map, as shown in the fourth figure shown.

The fourth graph is a graph 401 of the optical path length 410 (vertical coordinate) versus rotation angle (horizontal coordinate) when the optical path length adjustment system 301 rotates the inverse reflector 310 . Note that the path length varies with angular position, and the range of rotation angles for the retroreflector 310 can be selected to suit a particular application. Although the path length can be altered using the reference lines defined by the input and output points 331, 335 and 338, the output beams of the third figure are laterally shifted from each other (and do not have the same axis) and the system uses only a single rotating retroreflector 310 The method (without the additional fixed retroreflector described below) is not suitable for conventional optical focusing systems, such as those shown in first A, first B, and first C.

In the third and fourth figures, these are specific examples of the path length versus the rotation angle of the rotatable retro-reflector 310 . In other embodiments, there are many variations based on the position of the input beam and the position of the axis of rotation of the rotatable retro-reflector 310, both of which may be selected to Obtain the desired change in distance versus rotation angle for a specific application.

In the following discussion of the present invention, for ease of description, two plane reflectors (or two plane mirrors perpendicular to each other, as shown in Figures 5A to 5F and 6A to 6F) may be used. As shown, two plane mirrors parallel to each other, such as those shown in Figures 9A to 9D, and the two-plane internal reflection surfaces of the transparent glass, such as those shown in Figures 10A to 10D) form a possible A variable angle (eg rotating) reflector, or variable angle transparent reflector with non-reflective input and output surfaces parallel to each other (as shown in Figures 8A-8F). In general, in other embodiments (see, eg, Figure 26), a three-faceted retroreflector with angular deflection in three dimensions can be used. This can be formed from three orthogonal planar reflectors, or as a solid reflector with three orthogonal internal reflection surfaces, which can be coated for internal reflection, or have an index of refraction that supports total internal reflection. This three-reflection embodiment has the same property that the output beam (or an intermediate beam which can subsequently be reflected to form the output beam) is parallel to the input beam and offset by a certain lateral spacing. A three-dimensional inverse reflector (with three reflective orthogonal surfaces) can be used and can be rotated (scanned back and forth) to produce a similar effect to a two-dimensional inverse reflector (with two reflective orthogonal surfaces).

Additionally, as described below, in some embodiments, the angle between the planar reflectors is 90 degrees, which is the most common configuration for inverted reflectors. Typically, and in other embodiments of the invention (not shown), this angle may be less than 90 degrees or greater than 90 degrees, and the output beam optical axis need not be parallel to the input beam optical axis. Relative to the particular embodiment shown, light beams propagating along the two axes may have different directions of propagation, depending on the angle between the individual reflectors. For some embodiments, the angle between the reflectors is chosen with the consideration that the output beam optical axis remains stationary (the output beam axis is along the same optical axis and remains in the same direction ( This direction can be the same or different from the input beam direction), and the optical path length can be selectively adjusted).

Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C are three views (side, top, and perspective) of an optical path length adjustment system 501 with a rotatable planar mirror in a first angular orientation Reflector 510 (mirrors 511 and 512 are angled at 45 degrees from incident beams 531 and 532, respectively), and the fifth D, fifth E, and fifth F are three views of the optical path length adjustment system 501, which Inverted reflector 510 with a rotatable flat mirror in the second orientation (in this specification denoted as system 501' and retroreflector 510' to represent retroreflector 510 different orientations).

Figure 5 A illustrates the use of a rotatable flat mirror inverse reflector 510 and a fixed-position flat mirror inverse reflector 520 (shown here with in a plurality of possible rotational orientations) in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. A side cross-sectional block diagram of a flat mirror optical path length adjustment system 501 with a rotatable inverse reflector 510) in a first rotational orientation. In some embodiments, retroreflector 510 is rotated to change the optical path length and increase lateral displacement in a first (Y-axis) direction between input beam 531 and first intermediate beam 533 (Y-axis direction of beam 532 ) , and then the fixed-position flat mirror inverted reflector 520 retroreflects the first intermediate beam 533 into a second intermediate beam 535 propagating in an anti-parallel (opposite) Z-axis direction to the first intermediate beam 533, and at the second (X Axis) direction (the X-axis direction of the beam 534) increases the lateral displacement. In some embodiments, the lateral displacement in the second direction is perpendicular to the variable amount of lateral displacement in the first direction (the direction from point 541 to point 542). After the first intermediate beam 533 is reflected twice by the fixed retroreflector 520 to form the second intermediate beam 535, the retroreflector 510 makes an additional change in the optical path length between the second intermediate beam 535 and the output beam 537 The same amount of lateral displacement (the amount of the Y axis of beam 536) is subtracted in the first direction of . Thus, the output beam 537 remains at the same lateral position along the first and second directions, regardless of the angle of the rotatable retroreflector 510, but the total optical path length (starting at origin 541 and then reaching points 542, 543 in sequence) , 544, 545, 546, and finally the first total optical path length to the end point 547 in the fifth A, the fifth B, and the fifth C diagram, relative to the same starting from the starting point 541, and then arriving at the point 542', 543', 544', 545', 546', and ultimately the second total optical path length to end point 547 in the fifth D, fifth E, and fifth F images) as a function of the angular orientation of the retroreflector 510 . Since the angle of the retroreflector 510 can be continuously changed over a range of angles, the total path can be continuously changed over a selected length range without changing the start and end points 541 and 547, nor the vector direction of beam 531 or beam 537 .

Figure 5B is a top cross-sectional view of the retroreflector optical path length adjustment system 501 with the retroreflector 510 in the first rotational orientation.

Figure 5 C is a perspective block diagram of the retro-reflector optical path length adjustment system 501 with the retro-reflector 510 in the first rotational orientation.

In some embodiments, two orthogonal plane mirrors are used to form a stationary mirror. Reflectors 520, both positioned relative to the angular scanning retro-reflector 510, to reflect the intermediate beam from its various lateral displacements created by the varying angular orientation of the scanning retro-reflector 510, back through the scanning retro-reflector 510 to form along the The output beam travels in the opposite direction to the input beam, but the output beam 537 is located at a different X-axis position, as shown, so that the output beam optical axis remains stationary. The lateral displacement between input beam 531 and output beam 537 is determined by the position and orientation of stationary retroreflector 520 and the positions of intersections 542 and 543, and this lateral displacement allows optical path length adjustment system 501 (for changing the total optical path length). ) is placed between the input lens 121 (see Figure 1 A) at a fixed position centered on the optical axis of the input beam and the output lens 122 at a fixed position centered on the optical axis of the output beam, and the lens 121 and the lens 122 do not interfere with each other. In some embodiments, the distance between the input beam axis 531 and the output beam axis 537 is dictated by the length of the beam 534 , which is determined by the size and position of the stationary retroreflector 520 .

Looking at system 501 in the ZY plane of Figure 5A, input beam 531 (between points 541 and 542) is reflected by scanning retroreflector 510 to beam segment 532 (between points 542 and 543), and then to the middle Beam segment 533 (between points 543 and 544) is then incident on stationary retro-reflector 520 (see Fifth B and Fifth C) between points 544 and 545, which is caused by stationary retro-reflector 520 Reflects in the X-axis direction. The beam then follows intermediate beam segment 535 (between points 545 and 546), then beam segment 536 (between points 546 and 547), then output beam segment 537 (between points 547 and 548) , output at point 548. Looking at the system in the X-Z plane of Figure 5B, the beam follows the same path as described, but the path of beam segment 534 is visible at stationary retroreflector 520 (between points 544 and 545). In addition (see fifth C), the plane and The planes of output beam segments 535, 536 and 537 are located at different fixed X-axis positions, the input beam axis of beam segment 531 and the output beam axis of beam segment 537 remain stationary even though the scanning retroreflector 510 changes Adjustable Y-axis position of the plane containing sections 533, 534 and 535.

Figure 5 D is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a flat mirror retroreflector optical path length adjustment system 501 (denoted as 501' in this specification due to a change in the position of the optical path), wherein the retroreflector 510 is in a plurality of possible A second rotational orientation in the rotational orientation (at In this specification it is designated as 510'). For example, in Figures 5A and 5D, the axis of rotation of the rotatable retroreflector 510 is approximately at points 542 and 542', the points of incidence of the input beam 531 on the flat mirror 511'. In other specific embodiments (not shown), the axis of rotation is elsewhere on, within, or outside the rotatable retro-reflector 510 .

Figure 5 E is a top cross-sectional block diagram of a retro-reflector optical path length adjustment system 501' Please note that any spacing between arrows 532' and 533' and between arrows 535' and 536' in the view of Figure 5 E is for illustration clarity and is not necessarily implemented in all specific embodiments for different X coordinates.

Figure 5 F is a perspective block diagram of a retro-reflector optical path length adjustment system 501' with retro-reflector 510 in a second rotational orientation (designated 510'

Figures 5D, 5E, and 5F show cross-sectional side, top, and perspective views of system 501' with scanning retroreflector 510' in a 21.5 degree position. The optical path axes are labeled 531, 532', 533', 534', 535', 536', and 537, and are numbered the same as in Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C. The actual internal path with different Y-axis positions. It is also important to note that the locations of points 544' and 545' are at different Y-axis locations than points 544 and 545 shown in the fifth A, fifth B, and fifth C drawings. Thus, as the scanning retro-reflector rotates, the positions of points 544 and 545 are scanned linearly along the Y-axis direction at the stationary retro-reflector 520 . By passing through the same scanning retroreflector 510' a second time, this movement of the optical axis is reversed (i.e. the change in Y-axis position is cancelled) to produce an optical axis with a stationary optical axis 537, but with the input beam passing from stationary The optical axis 531 is displaced in the X-axis direction to adjust the optical path length of the output beam.

Sixth A, sixth B, and sixth C are three views of optical path length adjustment system 601 (in some embodiments, substantially the same as system 501, but with the addition of input lens 121 (hereafter referred to as the input) lens 121) and output lens 122 (hereafter referred to as output lens 122) with rotatable flat mirror retroreflector 510 in the first angular orientation and sixth D, sixth E and sixth F diagrams are the optical paths Three views of length adjustment system 601 with rotatable flat mirror retroreflector 510 in a second orientation (labeled in this specification as system 601' and retroreflector 510' to indicate scanning retroreflector 510 different orientations). System 601 is a specific embodiment in which lenses 121 and 122 are placed along the axes of the input and output beams, and focal point 650 is located inside stationary retroreflector 520 . As the scanning retroreflector 510 rotates, the focus also moves back and forth along the Y axis. This optical path length variation result obtained from the scanning retro reflector 510 and the stationary retro reflector 520 is used as the spacing adjustment between the lenses 121 and 122 in the systems 101, 102 and 103, respectively, as shown in the first picture A, the first picture B and as shown in the first C Fig. In some embodiments, the optical path length adjustment system 601 is implemented to replace the focusing function provided by the mechanical movement of the lenses 121 and/or 122 to focus by changing the distance therebetween, which can be used in various optical systems such as Microscopes, binoculars, cameras, telescopes, etc.

Figure 6A shows a rotatable flat mirror retroreflector 510 and a fixed position flat mirror retroreflector 520 ( Shown here is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a flat mirror optical path length adjustment system 601 with a retroreflector 510) in a first rotational orientation of a plurality of possible rotational orientations. In some embodiments, optical path length adjustment system 601 is a combination of optical path length adjustment system 501 (as shown in FIGS. 5A-5F ) and input lens 121 and output lens 122 , with movable focus 650 Between the two plane mirrors 521 and 522 of the fixed position retroreflector 520 .

Figure 6B is a top cross-sectional view of the retroreflector optical path length adjustment system 601 with the retroreflector 510 in the first rotational orientation.

Figure 6 C is a perspective block diagram of the retro-reflector optical path length adjustment system 601 with the retro-reflector 510 in the first rotational orientation.

Figure 6 D is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a planar mirror retroreflector optical path length adjustment system 601 (denoted as 601' in this specification due to a change in the position of the optical path), with the retroreflector 510 in a plurality of possible A second rotational orientation in the rotational orientation (indicated as 510' in this specification).

Figure 6 E is a top cross-sectional block diagram of a retro-reflector optical path length adjustment system 601' with retro-reflector 510 in a second rotational orientation (designated 510'

Figure 6 F is a retroreflector optical circuit with retroreflector 510 in a second rotational orientation (designated 510' in this specification) in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention A perspective block diagram of the diameter length adjustment system 601'.

FIG. 7A shows the rotation of the lens 710 to change the optical path length according to some embodiments of the present invention, wherein the lens 710 is shown as a rotatable parallel-section plane within a first rotational orientation of a plurality of possible rotational orientations. A side cross-sectional block diagram of system 701.

FIG. 7B shows some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, wherein the horn 710 is positioned to the side of the rotatable parallel section horn system 701 ′ in a second rotational orientation (labeled as 710 ′) of a plurality of possible rotational orientations View section block diagram.

FIG. 7 C is a perspective view of the rotatable parallel-section plane system 701 ′ in which the plane 710 is located in a second rotational orientation (labeled as 710 ′) of a plurality of possible rotational orientations, according to some embodiments of the present invention. block diagram. Figure 7 C illustrates how a retroreflector (not explicitly shown) at point 749' is used to redirect the beam back through aperture 710'. Thus, Figures Seventh A, Seventh B, and Seventh C show specific embodiments of the invention in which the path length can be varied by rotating a scanner that rotates a sheet of transparent optics with parallel input and output slices board 710. When optical plate 710 is in the position shown in Figure 7A, input beam 731 is perpendicular to optical plate 710, and this beam will follow the path of beam segment 732 and output as beam segment 733, which is at the same On the optical axis as input beam 731. When the optical plate 710 is rotated to a position at a non-perpendicular angle to the input beam 731 and designated 710' (see Figures 7B and 7C), the beam will be refracted into the path of the beam segment 732' and act as a beam Section 733' outputs, which is the laterally displaced output beam 733'. Typically, the path length from 741 to 749 will be different from the path length from 741 to 749' because the refractive index of optical plate 710 is higher than that of air, eg, glass has a refractive index of about 1.5. As the optical plate 710 rotates from one angle to another about the X-axis, the output beam 733' will continue to propagate in the Z-axis direction parallel to the input beam 731, but scan from one Y-axis position to another Y-axis position, where as As shown in the change from seventh A to seventh B, the position of the output beam 733 ′ changes in the Y-axis direction while remaining parallel to the input beam 731 . Similarly, a parallel reflected beam propagating in an anti-parallel direction, as shown in Figure 7 C, will be translated by an equal amount in the opposite Y-axis direction.

In order to keep the output beam axis stationary, a stationary retroreflector 820 is added to the system 701, resulting in a system 801 as shown in Figures 8A, 8B, and 8C. The beam from input to output follows the path from points 841 to 842, 842 to 843, 843 to 844, 844 to 845, 845 to 846, 846 to 847, and 847 to 849, with input beam 831 and output beam 837 remaining in their respective paths in their respective XY positions, and stationary retroreflector 820 along the line between points 844 and 845 The optical beam path 834 in between provides positional variation in the X-axis position, as shown in eighth B and eighth C images. Therefore, the output beam 837 will have a different X-axis position than the input beam 831 .

As the optical 810 plate rotates to another position 810', as shown in Figure 8 D, Figure E, and Figure F, the input beam follows from points 841 to 842', 842' to 843', 843' to 844', 844' to 845', 845' to 846', 846' to 847', and 847' to 849, while the axis of output beam 837 is at the same Y-axis position as input beam 831 (see Figure 8 D), but The output beam 837 is translated to a different X-axis position than the input beam 831 at a different Z-axis position (see Figure 8 E), where beam 834' moves from point 844' to 845' (the same distance as 841 to 849). Therefore, the output beam 837 will remain at its same X-axis position, which is offset from the input beam 831 on the X-axis. Again, similar to the previous scanning retroreflector system, when the scanning optics plate 810 is rotated to various positions such as 810', the beam will scan linearly along the Y-axis direction on the retroreflector 820. In some embodiments, since dispersion introduced into the beam of non-monochromatic light between points 842' to 843' will continue to disperse 843' to 844', 844' to 845', 845' to 846', the system 801 is more suitable for narrowband monochromatic light because any wavelength-dependent index of refraction of the material chosen for scanning optical plate 810 is not present in the return path through plate 810' between points 846' to 847'. be fully compensated. In some embodiments, the axis of rotation of optical plate 810 is internal to optical plate 810 , while in other embodiments, the axis of rotation is external to optical plate 810 . In some embodiments, optical plate 810 is replaced by a prism having pairs of parallel cut planes (eg, input cut plane 811 and output cut plane 812 ), such as a prism with square, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. cross-sections, such as As shown in the rotation between Figures 8A to 8C and Figures 8D to 8F, it is rotated so that successive pairs of slices of such a plane are regarded as corresponding input and output slices, with Input beam 831 is deflected to intermediate beam 833 and reverse deflection is performed between intermediate beam 835 and output beam 837 .

In addition to the specific embodiments shown in Figures 8A-8F and Figures 10A-10D, in other specific embodiments, the same teachings also extend to a cell or set of cells, and other A number of regular or irregular slices, such as triangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons, etc. The key is to keep the first outgoing ray (eg, the intermediate beam 833 ) parallel to the input beam (eg, the input beam 831 ) as the horn rotates. This allows a fixed retroreflector (eg, 820) to reflect light back into the various embodiments in the same direction to retroreflect incident light, but at different X-axis positions (eg, 8B and 8E different levels in the figure). In some specific embodiments, the outgoing light rays are parallel to the incoming light rays, perpendicular to the incoming light rays, or at other angles, as long as the outgoing light rays are kept parallel to a given direction when the camera rotates, so the outgoing light rays are on the fixed retroreflector. Draw a straight line. In some embodiments, the reflective surfaces of the crystals (eg, surfaces 1012 and 1013 of Figures 10A-10D) are coated, or optionally a total internal reflective surface.

Figures 9A to 9E show another specific embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, this further embodiment is obtained in which the internally reflective surfaces of the different embodiments are replaced with actual flat mirrors, thereby eliminating the need for refractive materials. This allows to eliminate chromatic aberrations introduced by solid glass or solid polymer materials and save weight only by using mirrors and not by using solid crystals. For example, in some embodiments, triangular mirrors, pentagonal mirrors, or other polygonal mirrors are replaced with two-plane mirrors.

Figure 9A shows a pair of rotatable parallel mirrors 910 using one of mirrors 912 and 911 that rotate together to change the optical path length of the beam and direct the beam in the direction of the X-axis, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The antiparallel direction of displacement is redirected back through a fixed position flat mirror inverse reflector 920 of the pair of parallel mirrors 910 (shown in this specification having the pair in a first rotational orientation of a plurality of possible rotational orientations). A side cross-sectional block diagram of the optical path length adjustment system 901 of the parallel mirror 910).

Figure 9B is a top cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 901 having a pair of rotatable parallel mirrors 910 in a first rotational orientation.

Figure 9 C is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 901 with a pair of rotatable parallel mirrors 910 in a first rotational orientation.

Ninth D is a perspective cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 901 (designated 901' in this specification due to the change in position of the optical path) with the pair of rotatable mirrors 910 in a plurality of possible rotational orientations A second rotational orientation (indicated as 910' in this specification).

Figure 9 E shows the optical path length according to some specific embodiments of the present invention Adjustment system 901" (shown in a first rotational orientation (denoted 911 and 912 in this specification) and a second rotational orientation (indicated in this specification as 911' and 912') has a pair of rotatable parallel mirror pairs within 910). In some embodiments, two parallel planar mirrors (also referred to as reflectors) 911 and 912 are placed symmetrically through the center of rotation 951 such that when the input beam 931 is reflected by the mirrors When reflected by 912, beam 932 will be directed to mirror 911 and reflected by 911, resulting in output beam 933 that remains parallel to input beam 931, regardless of the angle of the pair of rotatable parallel mirrors 910 (within a specified angular range). When the pair of parallel mirrors 910 and their two coupled parallel plane reflectors 911 and 912 are rotated from their first position (the position of the reflectors 911 and 912 in Figure 9 E) to their second position (Figure 9 E) position of reflectors 911' and 912' in the Output beam 933' that is parallel to beam 931, but propagates at a different Y-axis position than output beam 933 when the pair of parallel mirrors is located at the position labeled 910. Thus, when system 901 is scanning (both mirrors rotate the same angular amount), the output beam 933' is also scanning the fixed retro-reflector 920. The Z-axis direction ( Also referred to in this specification as the Z-direction for short) path lengths vary, resulting in a system with variable Z-direction optical path lengths depending on the angle of rotation of the pair of parallel mirrors 910 during scanning. Similar to the previously described system, the input beam The separation of the axes between 931 and the output beam 937 allows this variable path length system 901 to be used in systems such as those shown in Figure 17, Figure 17, Figure 18, Figure 19, Figure 20, or other such applications .

Figures 10A to 10D show another specific embodiment of the present invention using a transparent foil 1010, wherein the transmission input surface 1011 is parallel to the transmission output surface 1014, and both ends are rotatable parallelogram foils 1010. At a 45 degree angle to the parallel internal reflecting surfaces 1012 and 1013.

Figure 10A shows a rotatable quadrilateral 1010 using rotation to change one of the optical path lengths of the beam, and a stationary beam that redirects the beam back through the quadrilateral 1010 in an antiparallel direction, according to some embodiments of the present invention. A side cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1001 of a positional planar mirror retroreflector 1020 (here shown with a quadrangle 1010 in a first rotational orientation of a plurality of possible rotational orientations).

Figure 10 B is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1001 having a rotatable quadrilateral 1010 in a first rotational orientation, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 10 C is a side cross-sectional block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1001 (denoted as 1001' in this specification due to a change in the position of the optical path) in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, in which a rotatable quadrilateral 1010 is in a second rotational orientation (designated 1010' in this specification) of a plurality of possible rotational orientations.

Figure 10 D is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1001 having a rotatable quadrangle 1010 in a second rotational orientation (designated 1010' in this specification), according to some embodiments of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 10A and 10B, the reflected beam 1032 from the lower surface 1012 is incident on the upper surface 1013 and reflected as an intermediate beam 1033 parallel to the input beam 1031 . Input beam 1031 will diffract at input surface 1011, reflect within lower and upper surfaces 1012 and 1013, and then at output surface 1014, as camera 1010 rotates to the angular position shown in Figure 10 C (labeled 1010'). diffracted and emerges as intermediate beam 1033'. Input beam 1031 and intermediate beams 1033 and 1033' will be parallel to each other, but not at the same Y-axis position. When tilting the scanning plane 1010, the intermediate beam will scan in a straight line in the Y-axis direction and be directed to the stationary retroreflector 1020. Similar to the previous specific embodiment, beam 1033 is then reflected by retroreflector 1020 (as beam 1034 ) to a different X-axis position and returns to exit system 1001 through beam 1010, while output beam 1037 remains at a constant position and is associated with The input beam 1031 is antiparallel, but the output beam 1037 propagates in the opposite direction to the input beam 1031 at different positions of the X-axis.

11 is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1101 including a controller 1160 coupled to control an optical path length adjuster 1140 to adjust the optical path length adjustment system 1131 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The light is redirected into a laterally displaced, fixed-position, anti-parallel output beam 1137. In various system implementations, the details of the present invention can be broadly described as variable optical path system 1101, wherein input beam 1131 enters system 1101 in a first direction and exits system 1101 as output beam 1137 (output beam 1137 in a constant lateral direction The offset is parallel to the input beam 1131, but uploads in the opposite direction to the input beam 1131 broadcast) while propagating within the system 1101 with a variable (adjustable) path length between a defined fixed-position input point 1141 and a fixed-position output point 1149.

Figure 12 is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1201, the system including a controller 1260 coupled to control an optical path length adjuster 1140, which is coupled to Mirrors (or reflectors) 1251 and 1252 are connected, and together these mirrors change the optical path length of the beam and direct output beam 1237 in the same direction and along the same axis of propagation as input beam 1231. With the modification of adding two reflectors 1251 and 1252, the variable length optical path system 1140 can be regarded as a tandem system 1201, in which the output beam 1237 propagates in the same direction as the input beam 1231, which is directed to the system using the reflector 1251 1140, and the output of the system 1140 is directed to the desired direction using the reflector 1252.

Figure thirteen is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1301, the system including a controller 1360 coupled to control an optical path length adjuster 1140, which is coupled to Mirrors 1351 and 1352 are connected, and together these mirrors change the optical path length of the beam and redirect the light from input beam 1331 laterally at right angles to form output beam 1337.

Figure 14 is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1401, the system including a controller 1460 coupled to control the optical path length adjuster 1140 and the mirror 1451, according to some embodiments of the present invention, Together it changes the optical path length of the beam and redirects light from input beam 1431 laterally at right angles to form output beam 1437 .

Figures 15A to 15i show another embodiment that has no additional mirror on the input beam 1531, but instead includes a mirror 1528 to redirect the final output beam 1539 at right angles to the input beam 1531.

Figure 15A is a top block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501 for controlling the optical path length by scanning the retroreflector 1510 in a first angular orientation, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the optical path length adjustment system 1501 includes a scanning retroreflector 1510 (including planar mirrors 1511 and 1512 oriented orthogonal to each other) and a fixed position retroreflector 1520 (including planar mirrors oriented orthogonal to each other) 1526 and 1527), and an output reflection positioned to reflect intermediate output beam 1537 to form final output beam 1539 Mirror 1528. Adjusting the angular position of the scanning retroreflector 1510 changes the optical path length between input point 1541 and output point 1549 (reflections at internal reflection points 1542, 1543, 1544, 1545, 1546, 1547, and 1548, as shown in Figure 15C shown).

Fifteenth B is a side block diagram of the optical path length adjustment system 1501 with the retroreflector 510 in the first angular orientation.

Fifteenth C is a perspective block diagram of the optical path length adjustment system 1501 with the retroreflector 510 in the first angular orientation.

Figure 15 D is a top block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501' having a retroreflector 1510 in a second angular orientation (designated 1510').

Fifteenth E is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501' having a retroreflector 1510 in a second angular orientation (designated 1510').

Figure fifteenth F is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501' having a retroreflector 1510 in a second angular orientation (designated 1510'). Figure 15F shows the changes in position of the internal reflection points 1542', 1543', 1544', 1545', 1546', 1547' and 1548' due to the rotation of the retroreflector 1510' (corresponding to Internal reflection points 1542, 1543, 1544, 1545, 1546, 1547 and 1548).

Figure 15 G is a top block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501" having a retroreflector 1510 in a third angular orientation (designated 1510") in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

Fifteenth H is a side view block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501" having a retroreflector 1510 in a third angular orientation (designated 1510").

Fifteenth i Figure is a perspective block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 1501" having a retroreflector 1510 in a third angular orientation (designated 1510"). Fifteenth i panel shows further positional changes of internal reflection points 1542', 1543', 1544', 1545', 1546', 1547' and 1548' due to further rotation of retroreflector 1510' (corresponding to fifteenth C Figure 1542, 1543, 1544, 1545, 1546, 1547 and 1548) of the internal reflection points.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned variable path length systems are used in microscope focusing systems. The microscope can be brought into focus by moving the object to the focal point of the microscope, moving the microscope to the focal point of the object, moving the objective, or moving the distance between the objective and the eyepiece. In all cases, the object distance, Both the objective focal length and image distance follow the lens formula. It is an object of the present invention to focus the microscope by varying the optical distance between the objective and the image plane so that the object is focused on the image plane. The image plane can be the eyepiece focal plane, the digital camera imager plane, or the direct plane for further imaging.

Figure 16 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a conventional microscope system 1601 that changes the tube length 1640 (tube not shown) between the objective system 1606 and the eyepiece system 1608 to change the optical path length to focus the image of the object 99. The sixteenth figure shows a typical prior art microscope 1601 comprising an objective lens system 1606 (sometimes simply referred to as an objective) and an eyepiece system 1608 (sometimes simply referred to as an eyepiece), wherein object 99 is placed at the focal point of objective 1606, and eyepiece 1608 uses The image formed by the objective is viewed (by the human user's eye 98 ) at a distance 1640 from the objective to the eyepiece 1608 . Focusing of the system 1601 is typically achieved by moving the object 99 relatively close to or away from the microscope system 1601 (up and down with respect to the sixteenth figure) near the focus distance while the user is viewing the image. In other cases, the complete microscope system 1601, including the objective 1606, the tube connecting the objective 1606 to the eyepiece 1608 (not shown), and the eyepiece 1608, move up and down as the user views the image (and the user moves with it), while Object 99 is stationary in a fixed position; however, movement of microscope system 1601 can introduce unwanted motion and/or vibration.

Figure seventeen is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a microscope system 1701 using optical path length adjustment system 1740 and mirrors 1751 and 1752 between objective system 1606 and eyepiece system 1608, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, together The optical path length is varied to bring the image of object 99 into focus. In some embodiments, the optical path length adjustment system 1740 consists of, for example, system 501 of Figures 5A-F, system 801 of Figures 8A-F, Figures 9A-9F The system 901 of FIG. 10, the system 1001 of FIG. 10 A to FIG. 10 D, or the general system 1101 of FIG. 11 is implemented. In some embodiments, the controller 1760 is used in the optical path length adjustment system 1740 either manually (using a signal from a user-controlled input device, the user's eye designated as 98) or automatically (using such Well-known autofocus feedback systems, such as described in US Pat. No. 7,126,098 ) adjust the internal optical path length so that the focal plane is on object 99 . In system 1701, eyepiece 1608, objective 1606, and object 99 are fixed relative to each other, while the optical length between objective 1606 and eyepiece 1608 is varied by variable optical path system 1740. While the user's eye 98 is viewing the image, the variable optical path system 1740 is adjusted by the controller 1760 (in some embodiments purely mechanically angled) device, and in other embodiments, include electromechanical and/or optomechanical systems that change angle in response to electrical and/or optical signals) to produce a focused image for the observer's eye 98.

Figure 18 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a microscope system 1801 using an optical path length adjustment system 1840 located between the objective lens system 1606 and the digital camera system 1870 to change the optical path, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention The length focuses the image of the object and optionally includes a controller 1860 for autofocus capability. In some embodiments of the system 1801 , the images produced by the digital camera 1870 are analyzed by the autofocus controller 1860 , which generates appropriate signals for controlling the variable optical path system 1840 to generate the images for use on the digital camera system 1870 Appropriate path length for sharp focus. In some such embodiments, the vertical position (relative to Figure 18) of the cohesive focal plane of object 99 is changed to obtain a plurality of images at different focal planes within the volume of object 99, and as known in the art Combining multiple images in any way produces a single two-dimensional (2D) image that displays portions of a three-dimensional (3D) object 99, all in focus, while other embodiments combine multiple images to produce a 3D image that can be manipulated to show the user a view of the 3D image from different perspectives.

Figure nineteen is a side cross-sectional block diagram of an autofocus microscope system 1901 using an optical path length adjustment system 1940 between an objective lens system 1606 and a digital camera system 1970 to change the optical path, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention Length to focus the image of the object. In some embodiments, system 1901 includes a variable optical path system 1940 implemented as a rotating retroreflector system as described and exemplified in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-10D above. The advantage of these systems is that only flat surfaces are used to adjust the optical path length without distortion of the optical path length adjustment caused by moving curved surfaces such as lenses and curved mirrors. In some specific embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 2, 5A to 5F, 6A to 6F, and 9A to 9E, only flat mirrors are used, To minimize distortions and aberrations that would otherwise be introduced by refractive materials, especially curved refractive materials, which would alter the optical design of the original microscope. In some embodiments of the invention, the variable optical path system 1940 is inserted into the clear optical path in the microscope, thus preserving most of the original optical design.

In some specific embodiments, the reflectors shown in Figures 2, 5A-F, 6A-F, and 9A-E use galvo motors System rotation (such galvo motor systems are often used in computer disk drive systems, etc.), can be defined in High-speed rotation within the angular range. In this case, the focus of the microscope can change rapidly. In a 3D microscope system, multiple 2D images acquired using a digital camera can be combined with varying focus distances as a third dimension and a 3D image of the object can be created. The high-speed focusing attainable in the present invention, together with the high-speed 2D image acquisition of each of the plurality of images, produces a real-time 3D image of the object. Where the object 99 is largely transparent or fluorescent with respect to the wavelength of light used, the object 99 (eg, internal organs, blood flow, etc.) can be viewed in real time in 3D.

Figure 20 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of an online autofocus microscope system 2001 using an optical path length adjustment system between the first objective lens system 1606 and the second objective lens system 2071 according to some embodiments of the present invention 2040, to generate a fixed image plane virtual image 2099 on the image plane 2090, and optionally include the third objective lens system 2006 of the microscope subsystem 2080. Figure 20 shows an embodiment of the invention in which a still 2D image 2099 is generated at a fixed focal plane 2090 for scanning by a microscope 2080 having an objective 2006 (eg, an optical microscope, confocal microscope, structured illumination microscope, phase contrast microscope or light sheet fluorescence microscope). In system 2001, two objective lenses 1606 and 2071 are used as relay lenses with a variable optical path distance therebetween to vary the distance between these two lenses using variable optical path system 2040 under the control of controller 2060. As the path length changes, so does the focal plane at object 99, while keeping the image plane 2090 constant at the intermediate output of the system 2001. Again, variable optical path system 2041 comprising objective lenses 1606 and 2071, optical path length adjustment system 2040 and controller 2060 is used as one of the systems described above with respect to Figure 17, Figure 18 or Figure 19 microscope in . In some embodiments, the variable optical path system 2041 is made as a self-contained focus adjustment system (eg, pluggable into any conventional or existing microscope system, otherwise other focusing mechanisms would be used), where a fixed image plane 2090 is placed At the focal point of the microscope (only its objective 2006 is shown), an intermediate beam 2073 is produced for viewing. Table 1 shows example calculations for the variable optical path system 2041.

Table 1

In this calculation, the standard lens formula is used. The magnifications of the two objective lenses (1606 and 2071) are chosen to be 25 times, and the focal length here is 8mm. When the fixed image distance from the second objective lens 2071 is 11.2 mm, changing the optical path length from 100 mm to 94.182 mm changes the object plane position 90 from 9 mm to 9.1 mm. This allows a 100um (0.1mm) change in the focal plane 90 to become a 5.818mm change within the optical path length change. This change in optical path length requires a very low mass rotating retroreflector within the optical path length adjustment system 2040 (eg, see Figures 15A-15i) or pairs of parallel mirrors (eg, see Figure 9 The minimum actions of Figure A to Figure E of the ninth) are as described above. In contrast, as is commonly done, moving an object on a stage or microscope optics involves moving a larger mass, which can vibrate and is slow, making generating an instant 3D image of object 99 very challenging.

21A is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a right-angle microscope optical path length adjustment system 2101 according to some embodiments of the present invention, which uses a fixed three Mirror system 1520 and rotatable retroreflector 1510.

FIG. 21B is an end-view cross-sectional block diagram of the right-angle microscope optical path length adjustment system 2101 viewed from a second direction at 90 degrees to the first direction. In some embodiments, system 2101 is an embodiment of the present invention in which a rotating inverted reflector 1510 is combined with a fixed three-mirror system (eg, a rotatable inverted reflector such as the one shown in Figures 15A-15i). The reflector 1510, which in some embodiments is rotated using a galvo motor system, is combined with the fixed retro-reflector 1520 (inverted reflectors 1526 and 1527 and output mirror 1528) to form a variable optical path system 2161. In some embodiments, the rotating retroreflector 1510 is manually driven, while in other embodiments it is driven using a motor such as a galvo motor, and in some In a specific embodiment, a high rotational speed can be used for driving. In some embodiments, input microscope objective 1606 and output microscope objective 2108 are mounted to the housing of system 2161, forming a compact assembly, which, in some embodiments, is incorporated into a standard microscope system. In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 25, relay lenses (eg, 2521 and 2522) are used instead of microscope objectives.

The aforementioned variable optical path length system can be used in microscopes where the objective lens plane can be changed as the focal point moves, as shown in Figures 23-25. Microscopes such as confocal microscopes, fluorescence microscopes, etc. utilize position-dependent illumination and imaging so that 3D images of objects can be captured by combining multiple 2D images taken at different depths of focus. To generate live video images of such 3D objects, the focal plane must change rapidly at the video frame rate, making linear motion using standard Z-axis linear mechanical actuators and retro-reflectors very challenging, as described above with respect to the second figure described. In some cases, electron focusing liquid lenses (eg, as described in the above-cited US Pat. No. 8,400,558) are used to change the focal length of the optical system and attempt to move the focal plane of the object; these liquid lenses often produce poor deformed.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a high-speed galvo motor is used to move, rotate, or scan the retro-reflector over a range of angles to allow focusing at video frame rates. Additionally, in some embodiments, only flat mirrors are used, thereby eliminating the possibility of distortion and aberrations.

FIG. 22 is an end-view cross-sectional block diagram of a microscope variable focus plane system 2201 according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, variable focus plane system 2201 includes relay lenses 2221 and 2222 and barrel lens 2229 to form an image on imager 2250. As shown in Figure 22, the image generated by the microscope objective lens 2206 is relayed by the two relay lenses 2221 and 2222 of the relay lens system 2225, as shown in the figure, so that the relayed image will be focused by the tube lens 2229 onto a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or other suitable electronic camera 2250. At the nominal position of the object 99, the object 99 placed at the focal point of the objective lens 2206 produces a first parallel beam 2241 which will be relayed by the two relay lenses 2221, 2222 through the focus reversal position 2220 in between, and at the first parallel light beam 2241. The intermediate output of the two relay lenses 2222 becomes the second parallel beam 2242 . This collimated beam 2242 will then be imaged onto the camera 2250 through the barrel lens 2229. Ordinary conventional microscopes typically do not have a relay lens; For normal relay function, distances 2231 and 2232 correspond to the focal lengths of lenses 2221 and 2222, where distance 2236 = focal length of lens 2221 Distance 2231, and distance 2372 are equal to (=) the focal length 2232 of lens 2222. In some embodiments, system 2201 is modified to provide a variable optical path length between lenses 2221 and 2222 (not shown in Figure 22, but described below).

Figure 23 is a side view block diagram of a variable focus planar optics configuration 2301 of a microscope in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Position 99.2 corresponds to the focal point of objective 2206 producing parallel output beam 2312 when the position of object 99 (as shown in Figure 22) is moved along input optical axis 2208 as shown in Figure 23. When the intended focal plane within object 97 is closer to the objective, eg at position 99.3, the output beam will be diverging beam 2313. When the intended focal plane within object 97 is further from the objective at position 99.1, the output beam will be convergent beam 2311. In a system where the article 97 is thicker, the three focal plane positions 99.1 , 99.2 and 99.3 in the article 97 can be considered as distinct geometrical planes in the article 97 .

Figure 24A is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a dual-lens optical configuration 2401 having an input beam 2410 containing parallel rays and an output beam 2442 containing parallel rays. In some embodiments, collimated ray beam 2312 of objective 2206 having object 99 (or the focal plane within object 97 ) in position 99.2 in Figure 23 is treated as collimated ray input beam 2410 .

Figure 24B is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a two-lens optical relay configuration 2402 having an input beam 2410' containing convergent rays and an output beam 2442 containing parallel rays. In some embodiments, the converging ray beam 2311 of the objective lens 2206 having object 99 (or the focal plane within object 97 ) in position 99.1 in the twenty-third figure is treated as input beam 2410 .

Figure 24C is a side cross-sectional block diagram of a dual-lens optical relay configuration 2403 having an input beam 2410' containing diverging rays and an output beam 2442 containing parallel rays. In some embodiments, the divergent line beam 2313 of the objective lens 2206 having object 99 (or the focal plane within object 97 ) in position 99.3 in the twenty-third figure is treated as input beam 2410 .

When the beams 2311 , 2312 or 2313 of Figure 24A, Figure 24B and Figure 24C enter the relay lens system 2225, the focal length 2431 of the first lens 2421 will be different for each beam. For a parallel beam of 2312, the focal length would be 2431, which would be the same as the previous pin Same for 2231 discussed for Figure 22. On the other hand, the converging beam 2311 will produce a shorter focal length 2431', as shown in Figure 24B. The diverging beam 2313 will produce a longer focal length 2431" as shown in Figure 24C. To keep the focal point of the lens 2422 in the same position so that the relay output beam 2442 is parallel and the resulting image always remains in focus, the lens 2421 The optical distance from the lens 2422 must be changed to accommodate the focal length variation of the object at positions 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3 within the range of possible focal lengths 2360 (see Figure 23). In a conventional microscope, this difference in optical distance This kind of change is usually accomplished by changing the position of the objective lens and the first relay lens. In the focusing system of the present invention, the relay lens and the objective lens remain positioned. Instead, use the variable path system specific embodiment as described above. One to change the optical distance between the relay lenses. Figure 25 shows the implementation of such a system.

Figure 25 is a side cross-sectional block diagram of the optical path length adjustment system 2501 for a right-angle microscope. In some embodiments, system 2501 includes a variable optical path length relay lens subsystem 2540 that includes a fixed three-mirror system 2520 and an intervening first relay lens 2521 and second relay lens 2522 The rotatable inverted reflector 2510. In some embodiments, according to some embodiments of the invention, system 2501 also includes objective lens 2506 that collects a range of focal lengths from within the volume of object 97 (eg, focal lengths 2321, 2322. .. 2323 to obtain an extent 2360 of the image at focus planes 99.1, 99.2... Relay lenses 2521 and 2522 form the input and output relay lenses of system module 2540 (in various embodiments, which use a system similar to 2101 of FIG. 21A, FIG. 21B, or any of the foregoing Other optical path adjustment mechanisms and/or appropriate modifications of the method are implemented). The module 2540 can be inserted into a conventional microscope system through its objective lens 2506, tube lens 2529, and imager 2570. When the object 97 moves along the focal shift range 2360 of the focal planes 2321, 2322...2323, the optical path length is correspondingly adjusted inside the optical path length relay lens subsystem 2540, so that the CCD 2527 is on the The images corresponding to 2322...2323 remain in focus. In other embodiments, the object 97 is held in a fixed position and the focal plane is adjusted to obtain cross-sectional images of the object 97 at different depths.

In some embodiments, an optional fluorescence excitation light source (eg, for fluorescence microscopy) or other "frontal" illumination 2551 is provided, which forms an excitation beam 2555 and is In this embodiment, the reflector 2528 is highly transmissive at the wavelength of the excitation beam 2555 (eg, 405 nm light from a violet laser induces fluorescence in certain objects or portions of objects bearing fluorescent markings) emission), and reflector 2528 highly reflects object light at the fluorescent wavelengths of object 97. In some such embodiments, most of the excitation light scattered or reflected by object 97 (at a 360 degree angle) travels away from the front lens element of objective 2508, rather than in transmitted fluorescent illumination as shown in Figure 27 is projected directly into the objective lens. This effect in the twenty-fifth image is sometimes referred to as "frontal" lighting, and is especially useful for thick samples.

FIG. 26 is a side block diagram of an optical path length adjustment system 2601 according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the rotatable retroreflector includes three planar mirrors, each orthogonal to each other, wherein the axis of rotation is chosen such that the optical axis of the retroreflected beam is shifted laterally in the plane, and the fixed retroreflector reflect at points along the line within the filter 2620. In any of the specific embodiments set forth in this specification, the stationary retroreflector 2620 is selectively implemented by a right-angle mirror with anti-reflection coatings on the entrance and exit faces, and at a right angle of 45 degrees between the incident beam and the reflected beam Orthogonal faces are internal reflections.

Figure 27 is a side block diagram of a microscope system 2701 that includes an optical path length adjustment system 2754 within its condenser lens system 2750, according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, microscope system 2701 includes a microscope (eg, microscope system 2501 of Figure 25, optionally with or without front-side illumination source 2551, or any other microscope that can use a condenser), with the addition of Improved condenser lens system 2750. A condenser lens is typically used in a microscope between an illumination source (eg, illumination source 2751 ) and the object to be imaged (eg, object 97 ), where light from illumination source 2751 in microscope system 2701 passes through a selective diaphragm (not shown) , and is focused by one or more lenses of condenser 2750 toward object 97 as a convergent ray, and after passing through object 97, as light from the beam diverges into the front lens of objective 2506, where described above Focus the beam. In some embodiments, the optical path length adjustment subsystem 2754 of the present invention is used in the condenser optics 2752 to provide variable convergence angles (eg, 2721, 2722...2723) for the spotlight. In various embodiments, the condenser lens system 2750 is configured to provide brightfield illumination, darkfield illumination, phase contrast illumination, fluorescent excitation illumination, or other types of spotlight illumination well known in the art. In some embodiments, the condenser lens system 2750 further includes a dark field diaphragm or phase rings of various sizes. In some embodiments, the optical path length adjuster System 2754 is used to match the numerical aperture of condenser lens system 2750 to the numerical aperture of objective lens 2506.

In some embodiments, the rotating mirror or mirror portion of any of the foregoing optical path length adjustment systems is moved in a back-and-forth angular motion (referred to herein as a "scanning" motion) within an angular range from 1 degree to 180 degrees degrees, or between 1 and 45 degrees, as described in Figure 4, or other suitable angular ranges (e.g. to acquire multiple images at different focal planes within the object), or autofocus to a specific the particular chosen angle required for the focal plane; and in other embodiments, the rotating mirror or swivel portion of any of the foregoing systems is moved about one or more complete rotations (referred to in this specification as "rotational" movements) such that the digital A camera or the like captures multiple images of different focal planes within an object.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a first optical system comprising: a first beam deflection assembly rotatable to a plurality of different angles and operatively coupled to receive a length adjustment into the optical path The input beams of the system (for example, beam 531 in Figures 5A to F, beams 831 in Figures 8A through F, beams 931 in Figures 9A through E, and beams in Figures 10A through 10A Beam 1031 of Figure 10D, beam 1531 of Figures 15A to 15i), the beam propagates along an input optical axis through a defined input point and is formed parallel to the input beam (eighth A Beam 833 in Figures 8 through F, beam 933 in Figures 9 A through E, or beam 1033 in Figures 10 A through D) or anti-parallel (eg, Figures 5 A through F) a "first" intermediate beam (e.g., beam 533 of Figures 5A-F, Figures 8A-F beam 833 of Figures 9A to E, beam 1033 of Figures 10A to D or beam 1533 of Figures 15A to 15i); and a first two optical assemblies in a fixed position and orientation relative to the input beam to the optical path length adjustment system and operably coupled to receive the first intermediate beam and form antiparallel to the first intermediate beam (eg, the first intermediate beam) Beam 535 from Figures 5A to F, Beam 835 from Figures 8A to F, Beam 935 from Figures 9A to E, and beam 1035 from Figures 10A to 10D or beam 1535 of Figures 15A-i) and a "second" intermediate beam laterally offset from the first intermediate beam, wherein the first beam deflection assembly is operatively coupled to receive the The second intermediate beam forms an output beam propagating along an output optical axis (eg, the beams in Figures 5A to 5F) 537, Beam 837 of Figures 8 A to F, Beam 937 of Figures 9 A to E, Beam 1037 of Figures 10 A to D or Figures 15 A to 15 i beam 1537), the output optical axis passes through a defined output point and rotates with the first beam deflecting component to any of a plurality of different angles to vary the optical path length between the defined input point and the defined output point , maintained at a fixed position and angular orientation.

In some embodiments of the first system, the first beam deflection assembly includes a pair of orthogonal planar mirrors configured to rotate together in a fixed relationship to each other to vary the optical path length.

In some embodiments of the first system, the first beam deflection assembly includes a pair of parallel plane mirrors configured to rotate together in a fixed relationship to each other to vary the optical path length.

In some embodiments of the first system, the first beam deflection assembly includes a transparent plate having a transparent first side and a transparent second side parallel to the first side, wherein the optical path to the The input beam of the length adjustment system propagates into the transparent plate through the first face, the first intermediate beam propagates out of the transparent plate through the second face, and the second intermediate beam propagates through the second face into the transparent plate In a transparent plate, the output beam propagates out of the transparent plate through the first face, and the transparent plate is configured to rotate to vary the optical path length.

In some embodiments of the first system, the first beam deflection assembly includes a transparent parallelogram plate having a transparent first side and a transparent second side parallel to the first side to interface with the An internally reflective third facet with the first facet oriented at an acute angle, and an internally reflective fourth facet parallel to the third facet, wherein the input beam to the optical path length adjustment system propagates through the first facet into the transparent plate, then reflected from the third face towards the fourth face, and then from the fourth face towards the second face, so that the first intermediate beam propagates out of the transparent plate through the second face, the second The intermediate beam propagates into the transparent plate through the second face, and is then reflected from the fourth face towards the third face, and then from the third face towards the first face, so that the output beam passes through the first face from the The transparent surface propagates out, and the transparent parallelogram plate is configured to rotate to change the optical path length.

In some embodiments of the first system, the second optical assembly includes a pair of orthogonal planar mirrors configured as retroreflectors.

In some embodiments of the first system, the second optical assembly includes a mirror having a plurality of internal reflection surfaces, wherein the mirror is configured as an inverted reflector.

Some embodiments of the first system further include: an angle adjustment actuator operably coupled to the first beam deflection assembly and configured to adjust the azimuth angle of the first beam deflection assembly; and a focus A controller operatively coupled to the angle adjustment actuator and configured to receive an input signal and adjust the focus of the optical system by changing the optical path length based on the input signal.

In some embodiments of the first system, the input signal is based on manual input received from a human user.

Some embodiments of the first system further include: an electronic imager, wherein the input signal is based on an autofocus signal obtained from a digital signal from the electronic imager.

Some embodiments of the first system further include: input focusing optics located at a defined input point along the input optical axis and configured to have a focus position within the optical path length adjustment system, and output focusing optics, It is located at a defined output point along the output optical axis and is configured to have a focus position within the optical path length adjustment system, wherein the optical path length adjustment system is configured to adjust the defined input point with the defined output point The optical path lengths are separated to form the output beam as a parallel output beam to compensate for the convergence or divergence of the input beam to the optical path length adjustment system.

In some embodiments of the first system, the input focusing optics includes a first relay lens, and the output focusing optics includes a second relay lens, and the optical system further includes: an electronic imager; and a focusing lens configured to receive the parallel output beam and form a focused image on the electronic imager.

Some embodiments of the first system further include: a microscope objective located at the defined input point along the input optical axis and configured to focus light from an object and form the input beam to the optical path length adjustment system; an angle adjustment actuator operably coupled to the first beam deflection assembly and configured to adjust the azimuth angle of the first beam deflection assembly; an eyepiece configured to receive the output beam and allow magnified viewing a virtual image of the object; and a focus controller operably coupled to the angle adjustment actuator and configured to receive a focus adjustment signal and adjust the optical system by changing the optical path length based on the focus adjustment signal Focus.

Some embodiments of the first system further include: a microscope objective located at the defined input point along the input optical axis and configured to form the input beam to the optical path length adjustment system; an angle adjustment actuator , which is operatively coupled to the first beam deflection assembly and configured to adjust the azimuth angle of the first beam deflection assembly; an electronic imager located at the defined output point along the output optical axis, and operatively coupled to receive the output beam and generate a focus adjustment signal; and a focus controller operably coupled to the angle adjustment actuator and configured to receive the focus adjustment signal and to pass the focus adjustment signal based on the focus adjustment signal Change the optical path length to adjust the focus of the optical system.

Some embodiments of the first system further include: a first microscope objective located at the defined input point along the input optical axis and configured to focus light from an object to form the input beam to the optical path a length adjustment system; a second microscope objective located at the defined output point along the output optical axis and configured to receive the output beam from the optical path length adjustment system and form a virtual image of the object; a an angle adjustment actuator operatively coupled to the first beam deflection assembly and configured to adjust the azimuth angle of the first beam deflection assembly; and a focus controller operatively coupled to the angle adjustment an actuator and configured to receive a focus adjustment signal and adjust the focus of the optical system by changing the optical path length based on the focus adjustment signal.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a microscope for imaging an object, the microscope having an optical path length, the microscope comprising: an objective lens that forms an input beam; and an optical path length adjustment system that can operatively coupled to receive the input beam and have a selectively adjustable optical path length therethrough, wherein the objective lens and the object remain stationary relative to each other, and the optical path length is varied by the optical path length adjustment system such that in When imaging the object, the optical path length adjustment system selectively changes the optical path length to generate a focused image of the object.

Some embodiments of the microscope further include: an eyepiece, wherein the eyepiece, the objective and the object remain stationary relative to each other when the optical path length between the objective and the eyepiece is changed by the optical path length adjustment system.

Some embodiments of the microscope further include: an electronic camera, wherein when the optical path length between the objective lens and the camera is changed by the optical path length adjustment system, the The electronic camera, the objective lens and the object remain stationary relative to each other.

Some embodiments of the microscope further include: a first relay lens operably coupled to receive the input beam from the objective lens, wherein the first relay lens has the first relay lens inside the optical path length adjustment system the focal point of the relay lens; a second relay lens operably coupled to receive a light beam from the optical path length adjustment system, wherein the second relay lens has the second relay lens inside the optical path length adjustment system the focal point of the relay lens; a camera focusing lens operably coupled to receive the light beam from the second relay lens; and an electronic camera operably coupled to receive the object from the second relay lens the focused image, wherein the camera, the objective lens, the first relay lens, the second relay lens and the object remain stationary relative to each other, and the optical path length between the objective lens and the camera passes through the optical path length Adjustment system changes.

In some embodiments, the electronic camera is configured to generate a plurality of digital images of the object, wherein each of the plurality of digital images is located at one of a plurality of different focal planes within the object, wherein the The positions of the plurality of different focal planes are determined by corresponding ones of the plurality of different optical path lengths in the optical path length adjustment system.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a second optical system comprising: a beam deflector configured to rotate over at least a first angular range, wherein the first beam deflector receives a beam along an input beam axis propagating an input beam and forming a first intermediate beam propagating along a first direction along a first intermediate beam axis, and wherein the first intermediate beam axis is parallel to the input beam axis, and can be based on the beam the rotational angular orientation of the deflector, separated from the input beam axis by a variable lateral offset; an inverted reflector, wherein the inverted reflector receives the first intermediate beam and forms a first intermediate beam propagating along the second intermediate beam axis two intermediate beams, and wherein the second intermediate beam axis is parallel to and laterally offset from the first intermediate beam axis, wherein the second intermediate beam axis is along the second intermediate beam axis along the second intermediate beam axis opposite the first direction Bidirectional propagation enters the beam deflector such that the beam deflector forms a stationary output beam regardless of the rotational angular orientation of the beam deflector, wherein the output beam has a variable optical path length relative to the input beam, and wherein the optical path length is based on the rotational angular orientation of the beam deflector.

In some embodiments, the second optical system is a microscope system.

In some embodiments, the second optical system is a microscope system including a video capture imager.

In some embodiments, the second optical system is a microscope system including a video capture imager, and wherein the microscope system is configured to adjust the optical path length to select a plurality of consecutive focal plane positions within the imaged object, and Wherein the video capture imager is configured to capture a plurality of images, wherein each image of the plurality of images corresponds to a corresponding one of a plurality of consecutive focal plane positions within the imaged object.

In some embodiments, one or both of a rotating retro-reflector and/or a fixed-position retro-reflector is implemented using a right-angle prism.

In some embodiments, the rotatable retro-reflector is replaced by a rotatable pentagonal reflector, and the fixed inverted reflector is positioned to receive light from the pentagonal output facet.

In some embodiments, the rotatable retroreflector is replaced by a rotatable mirror having a polygonal cross-section with three or more sides.

It should be understood that the foregoing is intended to be illustrative, not restrictive. While the numerous features and advantages of the various specific embodiments described in this specification, as well as the structural and functional details of the various specific embodiments, have been set forth in the foregoing description, those skilled in the art, upon review of the foregoing description, will understand Numerous other specific embodiments and variations of implementations. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the scope of the invention and the entire range of equivalents to which the scope of the patent application is entitled. In the scope of the patent application hereinafter, terms such as "including" and "in which" are regarded as equivalent terms of the relative terms "including" and "wherein", respectively. Furthermore, the preambles "first", "second" and "third" are used only to indicate, not to refer to the quantity demanded of the item.

520: Fixed position flat mirror inverted reflector

531, 532: Incident beam

533: First Intermediate Beam

534, 536: Beam

535: Second Intermediate Beam

537: Output beam

541: starting point

542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 548: Points

Claims (24)

An optical system comprising: An optical path length adjustment system comprising: a first beam deflection assembly rotatable to a plurality of different angles and operatively coupled to receive an input beam into the optical path length adjustment system, the beam propagating along an input optical axis through a defined input point, and forming a first intermediate beam parallel or anti-parallel to the input beam; and a second optical assembly in a fixed position and orientation relative to the input beam to the optical path length adjustment system and operatively coupled to receive the first intermediate beam and form antiparallel and parallel to the first intermediate beam a second intermediate beam laterally offset from the first intermediate beam, wherein the first beam deflection assembly is operatively coupled to receive the second intermediate beam and form an output beam propagating along an output optical axis, When the output optical axis passes through a defined output point and rotates to any one of a plurality of different angles with the first beam deflecting element to change the optical path length between the defined input point and the defined output point, it remains in a fixed position and angular orientation. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first beam deflection assembly includes a pair of orthogonal planar mirrors configured to rotate together in a fixed relationship to each other to vary the optical path length. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first beam deflection assembly includes a pair of parallel plane mirrors configured to rotate together in a fixed relationship to each other to vary the optical path length. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first beam deflection assembly comprises a transparent plate having a transparent first side and a transparent second side parallel to the first side, into which the optical beam enters the optical system The input beam of the path length adjustment system propagates into the transparent plate through the first face, the first intermediate beam propagates out of the transparent plate through the second face, and the second intermediate beam propagates through the second face to the transparent plate. In the transparent plate, the output beam propagates out of the transparent plate through the first face, and the transparent plate is configured to rotate to vary the optical path length. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the first beam deflection assembly comprises a Transparent parallelogram plate, the plate has a transparent first surface and a transparent second surface parallel to the first surface; an internally reflective third surface oriented at an acute angle to the first surface; and a parallel to the third surface a fourth facet of internal reflection of the face, wherein the input beam entering the optical path length adjustment system propagates through the first face into the transparent plate, then reflects from the third face towards the fourth face, and then from the fourth face Reflected toward the second surface, so that the first intermediate beam propagates out of the transparent plate through the second surface, the second intermediate beam propagates into the transparent plate through the second surface, and then travels from the fourth surface toward the first Three-sided reflection and then reflection from the third face towards the first face so that the output beam propagates out of the transparent face through the first face, and the transparent parallelogram plate is configured to rotate to change the optical path length. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the second optical assembly includes a pair of orthogonal plane mirrors configured as inverted reflectors. The optical system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second optical assembly comprises a mirror having a plurality of internal reflection surfaces, wherein the mirror is configured as an inverted reflector. If the optical system of item 1 of the patent scope is applied for, it further includes: an angle adjustment actuator operably coupled to the first beam deflection assembly and configured to adjust the azimuth angle of the first beam deflection assembly; and A focus controller operably coupled to the angle adjustment actuator and configured to receive an input signal and adjust the focus of the optical system by changing the optical path length based on the input signal. The optical system of claim 8, wherein the input signal is based on manual input from a human user. The optical system of claim 8, further comprising an electronic imager, wherein the input signal is based on an autofocus signal obtained from a digital signal from the electronic imager. If the optical system of item 1 of the patent scope is applied for, it further includes: input focusing optics located at a defined input point along the input optical axis and configured to have a focus position within the optical path length adjustment system, and Output focusing optics located at a defined output point along the output optical axis and configured to have a focal point position within the optical path length adjustment system, wherein the optical path length adjustment system is configured by adjusting the defined input point with the the light between the defined output points The optical path length is adjusted to form the output beam as a parallel output beam to compensate for the convergence or divergence of the input beam to the optical path length adjustment system. The optical system of claim 11, wherein the input focusing optics includes a first relay lens, and the output focusing optics includes a second relay lens, and the optical system further includes: an electronic imager; and A focusing lens configured to receive the parallel output beam and form a focused image on the electronic imager. If the optical system of item 1 of the patent scope is applied for, it further includes: a microscope objective located at the defined input point along the input optical axis and configured to focus light from an object and form the input beam to the optical path length adjustment system; an angle adjustment actuator operably coupled to the first beam deflection assembly and configured to adjust the azimuth angle of the first beam deflection assembly; an eyepiece configured to receive the output beam and allow magnified viewing of a virtual image of the object; and A focus controller operably coupled to the angle adjustment actuator and configured to receive a focus adjustment signal and adjust the focus of the optical system by changing the optical path length based on the focus adjustment signal. If the optical system of item 1 of the patent scope is applied for, it further includes: a microscope objective located at the defined input point along the input optical axis and configured to form the input beam to the optical path length adjustment system; an angle adjustment actuator operably coupled to the first beam deflection assembly and configured to adjust the azimuth angle of the first beam deflection assembly; an electronic imager located along the output optical axis at the defined output point and operably coupled to receive the output beam and generate a focus adjustment signal; and A focus controller operably coupled to the angle adjustment actuator and configured to receive the focus adjustment signal and adjust the focus of the optical system by changing the optical path length based on the focus adjustment signal. If the optical system of item 1 of the patent scope is applied for, it further includes: a first microscope objective located at the defined input point along the input optical axis and configured to focus light from an object to form the input beam to the optical path length adjustment system; a second microscope objective located along the output optical axis at the defined output point and configured to receive the output beam from the optical path length adjustment system and form a virtual image of the object; an angle adjustment actuator operably coupled to the first beam deflection assembly and configured to adjust the azimuth angle of the first beam deflection assembly; and A focus controller operably coupled to the angle adjustment actuator and configured to receive a focus adjustment signal and adjust the focus of the optical system by changing the optical path length based on the focus adjustment signal. A microscope for imaging an object, the microscope having an optical path length, the microscope comprising: an objective lens that forms an input beam; and an optical path length adjustment system operatively coupled to receive the input beam and having a selectively adjustable optical path length therethrough, wherein the objective lens and the object remain stationary relative to each other, and the optical path length is determined by the The optical path length adjustment system is changed such that when imaging the object, the optical path length adjustment system selectively changes the optical path length to produce a focused image of the object. For the microscope of item 16 of the scope of the patent application, it further includes: An eyepiece wherein the eyepiece, the objective and the object remain stationary relative to each other when the optical path length between the objective and the eyepiece is changed by the optical path length adjustment system. For the microscope of item 16 of the scope of the patent application, it further includes: An electronic camera wherein the camera, the objective and the object remain stationary relative to each other when the optical path length between the objective and the camera is changed by the optical path length adjustment system. For the microscope of item 16 of the scope of the patent application, it further includes: a first relay lens operably coupled to receive the input beam from the objective, wherein the first relay lens has a focal point of the first relay lens inside the optical path length adjustment system; a second relay lens operably coupled to receive a light beam from the optical path length adjustment system, wherein the second relay lens has a focal point of the second relay lens inside the optical path length adjustment system; a camera focusing lens operably coupled to receive the light beam from the second relay lens; and an electronic camera operably coupled to receive a focused image of the object from the second relay lens, wherein the camera, the objective lens, the first relay lens, the second relay lens, and the object are opposed to each other remains stationary while the optical path length between the objective and the camera is changed by the optical path length adjustment system. The microscope of claim 19, wherein the electronic camera is configured to generate a plurality of digital images of the object, wherein each of the plurality of digital images is located at one of a plurality of different focal planes within the object , wherein the positions of the plurality of different focal planes are determined by a corresponding one of the plurality of different optical path lengths in the optical path length adjustment system. An optical system comprising: A beam deflector configured to rotate over at least a first angular range, wherein the first beam deflector receives an input beam propagating along an input beam axis and forms a first intermediate beam axis along a A first intermediate beam propagating in a first direction, and wherein the first intermediate beam axis is parallel to the input beam axis and can be offset from the input beam by a variable lateral offset based on the rotational angular orientation of the beam deflector shaft separated; a retroreflector, wherein the retroreflector receives the first intermediate beam and forms a second intermediate beam propagating along a second intermediate beam axis, and wherein the second intermediate beam axis is parallel to the first intermediate beam axis and laterally offset therefrom, wherein the second intermediate beam propagates along the second intermediate beam axis in a second direction opposite the first direction into the beam deflector such that the beam deflector forms a stationary output beam, and Wherein the output beam has a variable optical path length relative to the input beam regardless of the rotational angular orientation of the beam deflector, and wherein the optical path length is based on the rotational angular orientation of the beam deflector. The optical system according to claim 21, wherein the optical system is a microscope system. The optical system of claim 21, wherein the optical system is a microscope system including a video capture imager. The optical system of claim 21, wherein the optical system is a microscope system including a video capture imager, and wherein the microscope system is configured to adjust the optical path length to select a plurality of consecutive a focal plane position, and wherein the video capture imager is configured to capture a plurality of images, wherein each of the plurality of images corresponds to a corresponding one of the plurality of consecutive focal plane positions within the imaged object.

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