# US 12,181,651 B2 · Method of adjusting optical apparatus, adjustment support method, optical system, and optical apparatus

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- Number: US 12,181,651 B2
- Document ID: US12181651B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/534,933
- Filed: 2021-11-24
- Published: 2022-03-17
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2020-05-29
- Assignees: Evident Corporation
- Applicants: Evident Corporation
- Inventors: Kentaro Yamazaki; Yasunari Matsukawa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181651B2

## CPC

- G02B 21/244: {using image analysis techniques}
- G02B 7/28: Systems for automatic generation of focusing signals
- G02B 21/365: {Control or image processing arrangements for digital or video microscopes (G02B21/361, G02B21/362 take precedence)}
- G02B 27/0068: {having means for controlling the degree of correction, e.g. using phase modulators, movable elements (controlling the phase of light using moving or deformable elements G02B26/06)}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

A method of adjusting an optical apparatus that acquires an image of a sample includes the steps of moving a focusing section included in the optical apparatus in a direction in which a contrast of a first image of the sample increases, and adjusting an aberration amount occurring in the optical apparatus in a direction in which a contrast of a second image of the sample increases.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of adjusting an optical apparatus that acquires an image of a sample, the adjustment method comprising the steps of:
moving a focusing section included in the optical apparatus in a direction in which a contrast of a first image of the sample increases; and
adjusting an aberration amount occurring in the optical apparatus in a direction in which a contrast of a second image of the sample increases,
wherein an average value of frequency components of the second image is higher than an average value of frequency components of the first image.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The adjustment method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of
acquiring the first image by the optical apparatus, and
acquiring the second image by the optical apparatus.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The adjustment method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of
changing a pupil function of an optical system of the optical apparatus between the step of acquiring the first image and the step of acquiring the second image.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The adjustment method according to claim 2, wherein
the step of acquiring the first image includes the step of modulating at least one of illumination light and observation light by a first modulation element, and
the step of acquiring the second image includes the step of modulating at least one of illumination light and observation light by a second modulation element having a different transmittance distribution from that of the first modulation element.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The adjustment method according to claim 4, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied:
∫
0
L
⁢
⁢
1
⁢
r
·
f
⁡
(
r
)
⁢
dr
<
∫
0
L
⁢
⁢
2
⁢
r
·
g
⁡
(
r
)
⁢
dr
(
1
)
where f(r) is a transmittance distribution of the first modulation element, g(r) is a transmittance distribution of the second modulation element, r is a distance from an optical axis, L1 is a radius of an on-axis bundle of rays when the on-axis bundle of rays is incident on the first modulation element, and L2 is a radius of the on-axis bundle of rays when the on-axis bundle of rays is incident on the second modulation element.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The adjustment method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
subjecting an image acquired by the optical apparatus to image processing to generate at least one of the first image and the second image.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The adjustment method according to claim 6, wherein
the step of generating at least one of the first image and the second image includes the step of applying a spatial frequency filter to a pupil image obtained by subjecting the image acquired by the optical apparatus to Fourier transformation.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The adjustment method according to claim 1, wherein
the step of adjusting an aberration amount occurring in the optical apparatus includes the step of adjusting a correction ring included in the optical apparatus.

### Claim 9

An optical system comprising:
an optical apparatus that acquires an image of a sample, the optical apparatus including an objective lens, a focusing section that changes a distance between the objective lens and the sample, and a correction device that corrects an aberration; and
a control device that controls the optical apparatus, wherein
the control device
causes the focusing section to move in a direction in which a contrast of a first image of the sample increases, and
changes setting of the correction device to adjust an aberration amount occurring in the optical apparatus in a direction in which a contrast of a second image of the sample increases, and
an average value of frequency components of the second image is higher than an average value of frequency components of the first image.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The optical system according to claim 9, wherein
the correction device includes a correction ring that corrects a spherical aberration.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The optical system according to claim 9, wherein
the optical apparatus includes a microscope.