High-accuracy differential autofocus system with an electrically tunable lens

We propose a quasi-confocal microscopy autofocus system incorporating an electrically tunable lens (ETL) to achieve differential detection. The ETL changes its focal length to collect differential curves at speeds <300 Hz, allowing selective locking onto desired focal layers and high-speed differential operations close to the locked focal plane. By segmenting the system's pupil, the interference between the outgoing and incoming near-infrared beams is avoided, thereby greatly improving the signal-to-noise ratio. This ultra-sensitive system, with a focus drift accuracy better than 1/22 focal depth (& SIM;20 nm @100x objective), provides a new, to the best of our knowledge, implementation pathway to meet the requirements of various microscopy techniques.& COPY; 2023 Optica Publishing Group

Automated summary

This paper presents a quasi-confocal microscopy autofocus system that incorporates an electrically tunable lens (ETL) for achieving differential detection. The ETL changes its focal length to collect differential curves at speeds <300 Hz, enabling selective locking onto desired focal layers and high-speed differential operations near the locked focal plane. By segmenting the system's pupil, the interference between the outgoing and incoming near-infrared beams is eliminated, resulting in a significant improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio. This ultra-sensitive system offers a new implementation pathway, providing a focus drift accuracy better than 1/22 focal depth (& SIM;20 nm @100x objective), which meets the requirements of various microscopy techniques.