Optical: systems and elements – Deflection using a moving element – Using a periodically moving element
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-20
2001-06-05
Phan, James (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Deflection using a moving element
Using a periodically moving element
C359S202100, C359S221200, C359S399000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243189
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates to scanning beam imaging optics with particular emphasis on confocal microscopy and macroscopy.
BACKGROUND—DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART
Optical telescopes used as relay optics or optical couplers must be well-corrected to function properly. This is especially true in confocal microscopy where even small aberrations can result in large imaging errors. High quality plan apochromatic telescopes generally imply a high cost. In practice, high quality telescopes are not used in scanning beam imaging as individual components, rather they form part of pre-existing conventional wide-field microscopes. Telescopes made with singlets, achromatic doublets, or spherical mirrors are inexpensive but only work with very small beam diameters and scan angles. Telescopes constructed with off-axis parabolic mirrors (Amos, U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,242) provide operation for beam diameters and scan angles larger than achromats but are difficult to manufacture with high tolerances without increasing costs significantly. Mirrors tend to degrade with time and are generally less light efficient than refractive optics.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
The present invention provides an inexpensive, high quality optical assembly consisting of two eyepieces. Microscope and telescope eyepieces are readily available at low cost and high optical quality due to mass production and extensive demand. When combined, eyepieces provide an optical relay with large working distances (front and back) since eye relief distances tend to be greater than 1.5 cm. Eyepieces are most commonly used as part of wide-field microscopes which are in turn used as part of scanning systems. The combination of the tube lens and the eyepiece, in infinity-corrected microscope systems, form an optical relay or telescope. The advantage of the present invention is that it is less costly than a complete microscope system, it is well corrected for aberrations, it is compact and has the flexibility to be implemented in many systems. When large eyepieces, such as those used with telescopes, are implemented in the present invention, this allows for beam sizes (>5 mm) larger than normally encountered in microscopic systems. Many microscope systems are not designed as scanning microscopes and therefore the present invention provides superior optical performance at a much reduced cost and much greater flexibility. Further objects and advantages will become apparent from consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
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A.E. Dixon et al., “A new confocal scanning beam laser MACROscope using a telecentric, f-theta laser scan lens”, Journal of Microscopy, vol. 178, Part 3, Jun. 1995, pp. 261-266.
A.C. Ribes et al., “Photoluminescence imaging of porous silicon using a confocal scanning laser macroscope/microscope”, Applied Physics Letters, 66(18), May 1, 1995, pp. 2321-2323.
A.C. Ribes et al., “Reflected-light, photoluminescence and OBIC imaging of solar cells using a confocal scanning laser MACROscope/microscope”, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, vol. 44, No. 4; Dec. 15, 1996; p.439-50.
W.J. Smith, “Modern optical engineering—The design of optical systems”, 2nd Edition, (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1990), Chapter 13. (No Month).
Damaskinos Savvas
Dixon Arthur Edward
Ribes Alfonso Carlos
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