Radiant energy – Inspection of solids or liquids by charged particles – Positive ion probe or microscope type
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-19
2004-03-23
Lee, John R. (Department: 2881)
Radiant energy
Inspection of solids or liquids by charged particles
Positive ion probe or microscope type
Reexamination Certificate
active
06710337
ABSTRACT:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This invention claims priority of the German patent application DE 100 29 444.8 filed Jun. 21, 2000 which is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a laser scanning microscope, having a light source, in particular a laser light source, and an interruption device for a light beam of the light source.
The invention furthermore concerns a shutter for an optical system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Optical arrangements of the type in question have been known from practical use for some time, and exist in a wide variety of embodiments. Laser light sources are often used as the light source, often being combined by means of with an interruption device for a laser light beam. The purpose of such interruption devices is to interrupt or block the laser beam when any manipulations of the optical arrangement or of a specimen need to be performed. The purpose of such an interruption or blockage is to protect operating personnel and equipment. In particular in the event of a fault in an optical arrangement or improper operation, it is advantageous to interrupt the light beam in order to avoid any risk to the operator or damage to the arrangement.
It is problematic in the context of the known optical arrangement, however, that the occurrence of a fault or defect in the region of the interruption device, which impairs or even completely prevents functioning of the interruption device, is often not detected in good time. This can result in a risk to the health of the operator, and damage to the optical arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the object of the present invention to describe a laser scanning microscope of the kind cited initially in which reliable operation is achieved with means of simple design.
The above object is achieved by a laser scanning microscope comprising:
a light source, in particular a laser light source defining a light beam,
an interruption device for the light beam, and
means for monitoring the functioning of the interruption device being associated with the interruption device wherein the means are configured to monitor the interruption state generated by the interruption device.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system which shows a high standard of security for the user without a limitation to the optical properties of the system.
The above object is achieved by system a comprising:
a light beam of a laser light source, and
at least two movable components being configured and arranged so that the mechanical momentum generated by at least one moving component is compensated for by the motion of at least another component.
What has been recognized according to the present invention is that by monitoring the functioning of the interruption device, the aforesaid object is achieved in surprisingly simple fashion. For that purpose, means for monitoring the functioning of the interruption device are associated with the interruption device. By monitoring the functioning of the interruption device, it is now possible to understand clearly whether the interruption device is working reliably. Manipulations of the arrangement and of a specimen that is being examined can thus be performed with an increased degree of operating reliability, with no undesired penetration of the light beam, or portions of the light beam, through the optical arrangement. Any risk to the operator or the optical arrangement is thus very largely eliminated.
Concretely, the means could be configured to monitor the interruption state generated by the interruption device. In other words, the means for monitoring the functioning of the interruption device could monitor whether the interruption device is definitely interrupting the light beam of the light source.
For optical and/or acoustic presentation of the functional state of the interruption device, an optical and/or acoustic indication could be provided for the presence and/or absence of an interruption state. An operator could in this fashion easily determine whether functioning of the interruption device is guaranteed.
In particularly simply designed fashion, the means could have a light barrier and could have an opening configured in the interruption device. The physical position of the interruption device or of a component of the interruption device could thereby be detected in simple fashion. For example, the interruption device or a component of the interruption device could be correctly positioned when a light beam of the light barrier passes through the opening.
Alternatively or in addition to a light barrier, the means could have an electrical switch, preferably an interrupter contact. With this, a specific physical position of the interruption device or of a component of the interruption device could be detected. For example, in the interrupted state of the light beam of the light source, a detection circuit could also be interrupted.
By way of the aforesaid features in particular, the functionality of the interruption device could be checked in quasi-active fashion. In the interest of particularly reliable monitoring of the functioning of the interruption device, the means could have an analysis unit with which the at least one safety device is activatable. The analysis unit could comprise an electronic or mechanical logic system, or a computer, with which the safety device could be automatically activatable. In this context, the safety device, for example a safety circuit, could be activatable directly via the electronic or mechanical logic system or arrangement, or indirectly via the computer.
Concretely, a signal could be transmittable to the light source and/or to a further interruption device by the analysis unit and/or the safety device. It is possible, for example, to switch off a laser in the event of a malfunction of the interruption device, via an electrical emergency shutdown input present on most laser systems.
To compensate for electronic or mechanical switching times, a delay device could be provided in terms of activation of the safety device and/or transmission of the signal. The safety device could, in this context, be activatable only after a predefined time.
Further in the interest of particularly reliable operation of the optical arrangement, an indication of a malfunction of the interruption device and/or of an activation of the safety device could be provided. A continuous or periodically occurring self-test of the interrupt device is conceivable in this context. Alternatively or additionally, for this purpose an indication could be provided that energy supply to the interruption device is not guaranteed. Such an indication could operate optically and/or acoustically.
In particularly simple and economical fashion, the interruption device could have a mechanical shutter. Shutters of this kind can be of very inexpensive construction.
Further in the interest of reliable operation of the optical arrangement, the interruption device or shutter could have at least two movable components which are configured and arranged in such a way that the mechanical momentum generated by a moving component or by several moving components is compensated for by the motion of the other component or components. Vibrations during the operation of the interruption device or shutter, which occur in conventional interruption devices or shutters, can hereby be eliminated. Such vibrations on the one hand can result in the misalignment of optical components, and on the other hand can impair the functionality of the optical arrangement until the vibrations die down. In extreme cases, a loosening of threaded connections can result in permanent damage to the optical arrangement, thus preventing reliable operation of the optical arrangement.
With an interruption device constructed as described above, or a correspondingly constructed shutter, no mechanical disruptions are caused. A kind of momentum compensation takes place, so that almost no momentum is transmitted to surrounding components.
To achieve the goal of momentum comp
Engelhardt Johann
Hay William C.
Hoffmann Juergen
Johnston Phillip A
Lee John R.
Leica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH
Simpson & Simpson PLLC
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