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Breakthrough Patent for Multi-Source Illumination Unit Revolutionizes Optical Systems

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A patent for a multi-source illumination unit has been published online, revealing a groundbreaking design that utilizes two electromagnetic wave sources to illuminate a sample in distinct regions. The inventors, Kang, Zhiwen, Wang, Yixiang, and Zhang, Jian, have developed a system that leverages a reflector to collimate the second electromagnetic wave, enhancing the illumination of the sample. This innovative technology has significant implications for various applications, including semiconductor wafer inspection, lithography, and biological sample imaging.

Key Takeaways:

  • The multi-source illumination unit consists of two electromagnetic wave sources, each with its own circuitry, and a reflector that collimates the second electromagnetic wave.
  • The unit can be equipped with a first controller for controlling the first electromagnetic wave source and a second controller for controlling the second electromagnetic wave source, which can operate independently.
  • The illumination unit can also incorporate moving mechanisms, such as servo motors, robotic arms, magnetic levitation systems, or magnetic force control systems, to adjust the position of the electromagnetic wave sources.
  • The reflector's diameter can be larger than that of the first diffuser, and the condenser can have substantially the same size as the first diffuser or be in contact with it.
  • The illumination unit can be further enhanced with a second diffuser that faces the reflector and is configured to diffuse the second electromagnetic wave reflected from the reflector.
  • The claims provided by the inventors detail various configurations of the illumination unit, including the use of a first moving mechanism to move the first electromagnetic wave source and a second moving mechanism to move the second electromagnetic wave source.
  • The patent also describes a method for illuminating a sample using the multi-source illumination unit and a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions for executing operations for illuminating a sample.

Statistics:

  • The patent, ID 12392732, was filed on September 20, 2019, and published online on August 19, 2025.
  • The illumination unit is designed to illuminate a sample in distinct regions, using two electromagnetic wave sources and a reflector to enhance illumination.
  • The unit can be equipped with various control mechanisms, including first and second controllers, and moving mechanisms such as servo motors or magnetic levitation systems.
  • The reflector's diameter can be up to 2.5 times larger than the diameter of the first diffuser.
  • The condenser can have substantially the same size as the first diffuser or be in contact with it.

Sources:

  • Kang, Zhiwen. Multi-source illumination unit and method of operating the same. U.S. Patent Number 12392732, filed September 20, 2019, and published online on August 19, 2025. Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(12392732)&db=USPAT&type=ids

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