Automatic Optical Path Alignment Method for Optical Biological Microscope

A high-quality optical path alignment is essential for achieving superior image quality in optical biological microscope (OBM) systems. The traditional automatic alignment methods for OBMs rely heavily on complex masker-detection techniques. This paper introduces an innovative, image-sensor-based op...

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Main Authors: Guojin Peng, Zhenming Yu, Xinjian Zhou, Guangyao Pang, Kuikui Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/1/102
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author Guojin Peng
Zhenming Yu
Xinjian Zhou
Guangyao Pang
Kuikui Wang
author_facet Guojin Peng
Zhenming Yu
Xinjian Zhou
Guangyao Pang
Kuikui Wang
author_sort Guojin Peng
collection DOAJ
description A high-quality optical path alignment is essential for achieving superior image quality in optical biological microscope (OBM) systems. The traditional automatic alignment methods for OBMs rely heavily on complex masker-detection techniques. This paper introduces an innovative, image-sensor-based optical path alignment approach designed for low-power objective (specifically 4×) automatic OBMs. The proposed method encompasses reference objective (RO) identification and alignment processes. For identification, a model depicting spot movement with objective rotation near the optical axis is developed, elucidating the influence of optical path parameters on spot characteristics. This insight leads to the proposal of an RO identification method utilizing an edge gradient and edge position probability. In the alignment phase, a symmetry-based weight distribution scheme for concentric arcs is introduced. A significant observation is that the received energy stabilizes with improved alignment precision, prompting the design of an advanced alignment evaluation method that surpasses conventional energy-based assessments. The experimental results confirm that the proposed RO identification method can effectively differentiate between 4× and 10× objectives across diverse light intensities and exposure levels, with a significant numerical difference of up to 100. The error–radius ratio of the weighted circular fitting method is maintained below 1.16%, and the fine alignment stage’s evaluation curve is notably sharper. Moreover, tests under various imaging conditions in artificially saturated environments indicate that the alignment estimation method, predicated on critical saturation positions, achieves an average error of 0.875 pixels.
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spelling doaj-art-d2c9c94e3cb84eec887a04e0e6041adc2025-01-10T13:20:54ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202024-12-0125110210.3390/s25010102Automatic Optical Path Alignment Method for Optical Biological MicroscopeGuojin Peng0Zhenming Yu1Xinjian Zhou2Guangyao Pang3Kuikui Wang4Key Laboratory of Cognitive Radio and Information Processing, Ministry of Education, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Machine Vision and Intelligent Control, Wuzhou University, Wuzhou 543000, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Machine Vision and Intelligent Control, Wuzhou University, Wuzhou 543000, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Machine Vision and Intelligent Control, Wuzhou University, Wuzhou 543000, ChinaGuangxi Key Laboratory of Machine Vision and Intelligent Control, Wuzhou University, Wuzhou 543000, ChinaA high-quality optical path alignment is essential for achieving superior image quality in optical biological microscope (OBM) systems. The traditional automatic alignment methods for OBMs rely heavily on complex masker-detection techniques. This paper introduces an innovative, image-sensor-based optical path alignment approach designed for low-power objective (specifically 4×) automatic OBMs. The proposed method encompasses reference objective (RO) identification and alignment processes. For identification, a model depicting spot movement with objective rotation near the optical axis is developed, elucidating the influence of optical path parameters on spot characteristics. This insight leads to the proposal of an RO identification method utilizing an edge gradient and edge position probability. In the alignment phase, a symmetry-based weight distribution scheme for concentric arcs is introduced. A significant observation is that the received energy stabilizes with improved alignment precision, prompting the design of an advanced alignment evaluation method that surpasses conventional energy-based assessments. The experimental results confirm that the proposed RO identification method can effectively differentiate between 4× and 10× objectives across diverse light intensities and exposure levels, with a significant numerical difference of up to 100. The error–radius ratio of the weighted circular fitting method is maintained below 1.16%, and the fine alignment stage’s evaluation curve is notably sharper. Moreover, tests under various imaging conditions in artificially saturated environments indicate that the alignment estimation method, predicated on critical saturation positions, achieves an average error of 0.875 pixels.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/1/102biological microscopeoptical path alignmentobjective identificationweighted circle fittingalignment evaluation
spellingShingle Guojin Peng
Zhenming Yu
Xinjian Zhou
Guangyao Pang
Kuikui Wang
Automatic Optical Path Alignment Method for Optical Biological Microscope
Sensors
biological microscope
optical path alignment
objective identification
weighted circle fitting
alignment evaluation
title Automatic Optical Path Alignment Method for Optical Biological Microscope
title_full Automatic Optical Path Alignment Method for Optical Biological Microscope
title_fullStr Automatic Optical Path Alignment Method for Optical Biological Microscope
title_full_unstemmed Automatic Optical Path Alignment Method for Optical Biological Microscope
title_short Automatic Optical Path Alignment Method for Optical Biological Microscope
title_sort automatic optical path alignment method for optical biological microscope
topic biological microscope
optical path alignment
objective identification
weighted circle fitting
alignment evaluation
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/1/102
work_keys_str_mv AT guojinpeng automaticopticalpathalignmentmethodforopticalbiologicalmicroscope
AT zhenmingyu automaticopticalpathalignmentmethodforopticalbiologicalmicroscope
AT xinjianzhou automaticopticalpathalignmentmethodforopticalbiologicalmicroscope
AT guangyaopang automaticopticalpathalignmentmethodforopticalbiologicalmicroscope
AT kuikuiwang automaticopticalpathalignmentmethodforopticalbiologicalmicroscope