Computer-controlled optical scanning tile microscope

Gain-compensation Methodology for a Sinusoidal Scan of a Galvanometer Mirror in Proportional-Integral-Differential Control Using Pre-emphasis Techniques

Galvanometer mirrors are used for optical applications such as target tracking, drawing, and scanning control because of their high speed and accuracy. However, the responsiveness of a galvanometer mirror is limited by its inertia; hence, the gain of a galvanometer mirror is reduced when the control path is steep. In this research, we propose a method to extend the corresponding frequency using a pre-emphasis technique to compensate for the gain reduction of galvanometer mirrors in sine-wave path tracking using proportional-integral-differential (PID) control. The pre-emphasis technique obtains an input value for a desired output value in advance. Applying this method to control the galvanometer mirror, the raw gain of a galvanometer mirror in each frequency and amplitude for sine-wave path tracking using a PID controller was calculated. Where PID control is not effective, maintaining a gain of 0 dB to improve the trajectory tracking accuracy, it is possible to expand the speed range in which a gain of 0 dB can be obtained without tuning the PID control parameters. However, if there is only one frequency, amplification is possible with a single pre-emphasis coefficient. Therefore, a sine wave is suitable for this technique, unlike triangular and sawtooth waves. Hence, we can adopt a pre-emphasis technique to configure the parameters in advance, and we need not prepare additional active control models and hardware. The parameters are updated immediately within the next cycle because of the open loop after the pre-emphasis coefficients are set. In other words, to regard the controller as a black box, we need to know only the input-to-output ratio, and detailed modeling is not required. This simplicity allows our system to be easily embedded in applications. Our method using the pre-emphasis technique for a motion-blur compensation system and the experiment conducted to evaluate the method are explained.

Gain-compensated sinusoidal scanning of a galvanometer mirror in proportional-integral-differential control using the pre-emphasis technique for motion-blur compensation

We propose a method to achieve precise sine-wave path tracking for real-time motion-blur compensation to extend the corresponding frequency spectrum in proportional-integral-differential (PID) control by using a pre-emphasis technique. We calculate pre-emphasis coefficients in advance to follow a sine wave with a gain of 0 dB and multiply the input signal by these pre-emphasis coefficients. In experiments, we were thus able to extend the greatest frequency from 100 to 500 Hz and achieve gain improvement of approximately 3 dB at 400 and 500 Hz. For the application of inspection, we confirmed that motion blur is significantly reduced when the system operates at high frequency, and we achieved a responsiveness 3.3 times higher than that of our previous system.

Extending immunofluorescence detection limits in whole paraffin-embedded formalin fixed tissues using hyperspectral confocal fluorescence imaging

A major problem in microscopic imaging of ex vivo tissue sections stained with fluorescent agents (e.g. antibodies, peptides) is the confounding presence of background tissue autofluorescence. Autofluorescence limits (1) the accuracy of differentiating background signals from single and multiple fluorescence labels and (2) reliable quantification of fluorescent signals. Advanced techniques such as hyperspectral imaging and spectral unmixing can be applied to essentially remove this autofluorescent signal contribution, and this work attempts to quantify the effectiveness of autofluorescence spectral unmixing in a tumour xenograft model. Whole-specimen single-channel fluorescence images were acquired using excitation wavelengths of 488 nm (producing high autofluorescence) and 568 nm (producing negligible autofluorescence). These single-channel data sets are quantified against hyperspectral images acquired at 488 nm using a prototype whole-slide hyperspectral fluorescence scanner developed in our facility. The development and further refinement of this instrument will improve the quantification of weak fluorescent signals in fluorescence microscopy studies of ex vivo tissues in both preclinical and clinical applications.

Ultraviolet-to-visible image conversion microscopy using photoluminescence from self-assembled CdSe/ZnCdMgSe quantum dots and quantum wells

A high-resolution ultraviolet (UV)-to-visible image conversion microscope using photoluminescence emitted from self-assembled CdSe/ZnCdMgSe quantum dots (QDs) and quantum wells has been developed. This novel microscope exhibits a 1 microm lateral resolution with possible estimated lateral resolution of 200 nm using defect-free QD samples and UV micro-objective with higher numerical aperture and field of view.