US20020036775A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for increasing the spectral and spatial resolution of detectors
Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
•
Filing: 2001-08-07
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2021-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A method of optical detection of characteristic quantities of an illuminated specimen comprising detecting a signal that is backscattered, reflected and/or fluoresced and/or transmitted from the specimen by a spatially resolving detector wherein radiation coming from the specimen is imaged on the detector, shifting the position of the radiation which is measured in a spatially resolved manner relative to the detector and determining intermediate values by an algorithm from the signals measured in different shifts for purposes of increasing the spatial resolution of the detector. An arrangement for performing the method is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralf Wolleschensky
- 👤 Gunter Moehler
- 👤 Volker Gerstner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:37
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/0004; G02B21/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 92
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
1 . A method of optical detection of characteristic quantities of an illuminated specimen, comprising: detecting a signal that is backscattered, reflected and/or fluoresced and/or transmitted from the specimen by a spatially resolving detector wherein radiation coming from the specimen is imaged on the detector; shifting the position of the radiation which is measured in a spatially resolved manner relative to the detector; and determining intermediate values by an algorithm from the signals measured in different shifts for purposes of increasing the spatial resolution of the detector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
1 . A method of optical detection of characteristic quantities of an illuminated specimen, comprising: detecting a signal that is backscattered, reflected and/or fluoresced and/or transmitted from the specimen by a spatially resolving detector wherein radiation coming from the specimen is imaged on the detector; shifting the position of the radiation which is measured in a spatially resolved manner relative to the detector; and determining intermediate values by an algorithm from the signals measured in different shifts for purposes of increasing the spatial resolution of the detector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step size in the shift is below the raster dimension of the spatial resolution of the detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein there is carried out a displacement of the detector in the direction of its spatial resolution and/or a displacement or swiveling of an imaging element in at least one axis and/or a displacement or swiveling of a reflective element in at least one axis and/or a displacement or swiveling of a dispersive element in at least one axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a spectrally resolved measurement of spectra is carried out by a dispersive element arranged in front of the detector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the dispersive element is swivelable around at least one axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein with a dispersive element remaining stationary in at least one of its swiveling axes, the spatially changing effect of the swiveling in this axis is carried out by a scan unit and/or by displacement of the detector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein in a line scanner for real-time microscopy a displacement is carried out by a mirror which is swivelable about at least one axis and/or a displacement of the detector and/or a mirror of a scanning mirror arrangement is carried out.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein with a mirror remaining stationary in at least one of its swiveling axes, the spatially changing effect of the swiveling in this axis is carried out by a scan unit and/or by displacement of the detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein switching is carried out between a line scan and a dispersive splitting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a dispersive element is swiveled for increasing the spectral resolution and, further, an additional movement of the detector and/or a scan unit is carried out.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
11 . The method according to claim 1 , for optical detection of characteristic quantities of the wavelength-dependent behavior of an illuminated specimen, particularly the emission behavior and/or absorption behavior, preferably the fluorescence and/or luminescence and/or phosphorescence and/or enzyme-active light emission and/or enzyme-active fluorescence.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
12 . The method according to claim 1 , for distinguishing different dyes and/or for determining the local dye composition of an image point when a plurality of dyes are used simultaneously and/or for determining the local shift of the emission spectrum depending on the local environment to which the dye or dyes is or are attached and/or for measuring emission ratio dyes for determining ion concentrations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
13 . The method according to claim 1 , for distinguishing different dyes and/or for determining the local dye composition of an image point when a plurality of dyes are used simultaneously and/or for determining the local shift in the absorption spectrum depending on the local environment to which the dye or dyes is or are attached and/or for measuring the absorption ratio for determining ion concentrations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
14 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the emission radiation of the specimen is split by a dispersive element and is detected in a spatially resolved manner in at least one direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
15 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein signals of detection channels are converted and digitally read out and calculation of the algorithm is carried out digitally in a computer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the signals of the detector channels are influenced by a nonlinear distortion of the input signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
17 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the integration parameters are influenced.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
18 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the characteristic or response curve of an amplifier is influenced.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
19 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the calculated intermediate values and/or detected signals are/is used for generating an image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
20 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a calculation of the intermediate values is carried out for refining measurement curves in a stepwise manner.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
21 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a color-coded fluorescence image is generated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
22 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a superposition is carried out with additional images.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
23 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a comparison of the measured signal with a reference signal is carried out via comparators in detection channels and in case the reference signal is not reached and/or is exceeded a change in the operating mode of the detection channel is carried out.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
24 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the respective detection channel is switched off and/or not taken into account.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
25 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the relevant spectral region is narrowed in this way.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
26 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signals of the detection channels are generated by at least one integrator circuit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
27 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the signals of the detection channels are generated by photon counting and subsequent digital-to-analog conversion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
28 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the photon counting is carried out in time correlation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
29 . The method according to claim 1 , for detection of single-photon and/or multiphoton fluorescence and/or fluorescence excited by entangled photons.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
30 . The method according to claim 1 , with parallel illumination and detection, in ingredient screening, wherein the specimen is a microtiter plate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
31 . The method according to claim 30 , employing linewise detection.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
32 . The method according to claim 1 , in a microscope.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
33 . The method according to claim 1 , for detection in a nearfield scanning microscope.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
34 . The method according to claim 1 , for detection of a single-photon and/or multiphoton dye fluorescence in a fluorescence-correlated spectroscope.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
35 . The method according to claim 1 , by confocal detection.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
36 . The method according to claim 1 , using a scanning arrangement.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
37 . The method according to claim 1 , using an X-Y scanner in the illumination means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
38 . The method according to claim 1 , using an X-Y scan table.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
39 . The method according to claim 1 , using nonconfocal detection.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
40 . The method according to claim 1 , using descanned detection.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
41 . The method according to claim 1 , using brightfield imaging.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
42 . The method according to claim 1 , using point imaging.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
43 . The method according to claim 1 , using non-descanned detection.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
44 . The method according to claim 1 , using brighfield imaging.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
45 . The method according to claim 1 , using non-scanning, confocal or nonconfocal detection and point imaging or brightfield imaging.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
46 . The method according to claim 1 , using an X-Y scan table.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
116 words
47 . An arrangement for optical detection of characteristic quantities of an illuminated specimen, comprising: a detector for detecting a signal that is backscattered, reflected and/or fluoresced and/or absorbed from the specimen, said detector being a spatially revolving detector wherein radiation coming from the specimen is imaged on the detector; means for imaging a radiation signal that is backscattered, reflected and/or fluoresced and/or absorbed from the specimen, on the detector; means for shifting the position of the radiation which is measured in a spatially resolved manner relative to the detector; and means for determining intermediate values using an algorithm from the signals measured in different shifts for purposes of increasing the spatial resolution of the detector.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
116 words
47 . An arrangement for optical detection of characteristic quantities of an illuminated specimen, comprising: a detector for detecting a signal that is backscattered, reflected and/or fluoresced and/or absorbed from the specimen, said detector being a spatially revolving detector wherein radiation coming from the specimen is imaged on the detector; means for imaging a radiation signal that is backscattered, reflected and/or fluoresced and/or absorbed from the specimen, on the detector; means for shifting the position of the radiation which is measured in a spatially resolved manner relative to the detector; and means for determining intermediate values using an algorithm from the signals measured in different shifts for purposes of increasing the spatial resolution of the detector.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
28 words
48 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein the step size of the shift is below the raster dimension of the spatial resolution of the detector.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
68 words
49 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein there is carried out a displacement of the detector in the direction of its spatial resolution and/or a displacement or swiveling of an imaging element in at least one axis and/or a displacement or swiveling of a reflective element in at least one axis and/or a displacement or swiveling of a dispersive element in at least one axis.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
50 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein a spectrally resolved measurement of spectra is carried out by a dispersive element arranged in front of the detector.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
51 . The arrangement according to claim 50 , wherein the dispersive element is swivelable around at least one axis.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
41 words
52 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein with a dispersive element remaining stationary in at least one of its swiveling axes, the spatially changing effect of the swiveling in this axis is carried out by a scan unit.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
50 words
53 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein in a line scanner for real-time microscopy a displacement is carried out by a mirror which is swivelable about at least one axis and/or a displacement of the detector and/or a mirror of a scanning mirror arrangement is carried out.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
40 words
54 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein with a mirror remaining stationary in at least one of its swiveling axes, the spatially changing effect of the swiveling in this axis is carried out by a scan unit.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
55 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein switching is carrried out between a line scan and a dispersive splitting.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
35 words
56 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein a dispersive element is swiveled for increasing the spectral resolution and, further, an additional movement of the detector and/or a scan unit is carried out.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
44 words
57 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , for optical detection of characteristic quantities of the wavelength-dependent behavior of an illuminated specimen, particularly the emission behavior and/or absorption behavior, preferably the fluorescence and/or luminescence and/or phosphorescence and/or enzyme-active light emission and/or enzyme-active fluorescence.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
67 words
58 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , for distinguishing different dyes and/or for determining the local dye composition of an image point when a plurality of dyes are used simultaneously and/or for determining the local shift of the emission spectrum depending on the local environment to which the dye or dyes is or are attached and/or for measuring emission ratio dyes for determining ion concentrations.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
67 words
59 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , for distinguishing different dyes and/or for determining the local dye composition of an image point when a plurality of dyes are used simultaneously and/or for determining the local shift in the absorption spectrum depending on the local environment to which the dye or dyes is or are attached and/or for measuring the absorption ratio for determining ion concentrations.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
35 words
60 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein the emission radiation of the specimen is split by a dispersive element and is detected in a spatially resolved manner in at least one direction.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
32 words
61 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein signals of detection channels are converted and digitally read out and calculation of the algorithm is carried out digitally in a computer.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
25 words
62 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein the signals of detector channels are influenced by a nonlinear distortion of the input signals.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
15 words
63 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein the integration parameters are influenced.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
20 words
64 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein the characteristic or response curve of an amplifier is influenced.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
23 words
65 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein the calculated intermediate values and/or detected signals are/is used for generating an image.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
16 words
66 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein a color-coded fluorescence image is generated.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
18 words
67 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein a superposition is carried out with additional images.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
53 words
68 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein a comparison of the measured signal with a reference signal is carried out via comparators in detection channels and in case the reference signal is not reached and/or is exceeded a change in the operating mode of the detection channel is carried out.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
22 words
69 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein the respective detection channel is switched off and/or not taken into account.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
19 words
70 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein the relevant spectral region is narrowed in this way.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
23 words
71 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein signals of the detection channels are generated by at least one integrator circuit.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
24 words
72 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein signals of the detection channels are generated by photon counting and subsequent digital-to-analog conversion.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
19 words
73 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , wherein the photon counting is carried out in time correlation.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
22 words
74 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , for detection of single-photon and/or multiphoton fluorescence and/or fluorescence excited by entangled photons.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
24 words
75 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , with parallel illumination and detection, in ingredient screening, wherein the specimen is a microtiter plate.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
12 words
76 . The arrangement according to claim 75 , with linewise detection.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
13 words
77 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , incorporated in a microscope.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
16 words
78 . The arrangement according to claim 77 , for detection in a nearfield scanning microscope.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
22 words
79 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , for detection of a single-photon and/or multiphoton dye fluorescence in a fluorescence-correlated spectroscope.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
12 words
80 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , incorporating confocal detection.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
13 words
81 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , including a scanning arrangement.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
17 words
82 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , including an X-Y scanner in the illumination source.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
14 words
83 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , including an X-Y scan table.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
12 words
84 . The arrangement according to claim 83 , incorporating nonconfocal detection.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
13 words
85 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , including a scanning arrangement.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
12 words
86 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , including descanned detection.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
12 words
87 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , with brightfield imaging.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
12 words
88 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , with point imaging.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
12 words
89 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , incorporating non-descanned detection.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
21 words
90 . The arrangement according to claim 47 , with non-scanning, confocal or nonconfocal detection and point imaging or brightfield imaging.
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