US3628848A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable phase contrast microscopy
Assignee: Bpifrance Financement SA
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Filing: 1969-12-23
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Granted: 1971-12-21
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Expires: 1989-12-23
Abstract
Abstract In phase contrast microscopy, the phase plate is broken down into two zones, the conjugate and complementary zones, the light beam is polarized in two directions inclined relatively at 45*. One polarization affects the conjugate zone; the other polarization affects the complementary zone, without optical path delay. The apparatus employs a polarizer, a phase plate, a birefringent compensator, and an analyzer having a phase plate with two polarizers turned 45* and respectively occupying the conjugate zone and the complementary zone of the plate. One polarizer is positioned in front of the plate so it covers the two zones and is parallel to the polarizer at the conjugate zone. The birefringent compensator and analyzer are mounted behind the plate, in the direction of light propagation, so that the transmissions of complex amplitudes of the conjugate zone will be 1-ei and that of the complementary zone will be 1.
Inventors
- 👤 Georges Nomarski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/06; G02B21/08; G02B21/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
In a method of performing variable phase contrast microscopic observation, projecting light from a source toward an image through an optical system having a phase plate and utilizing a main phase shift of pi /2 and a variable phase shift, the improvement comprising separating the phase plate into two zones, comprising a conjugate zone and a complementary zone, and polarizing the light beam in two directions at 45* to one another, one of the polarizations being operative in the conjugate zone and the other polarization being operative in the complementary zone, without optical path delay.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a method of performing variable phase contrast microscopic observation, projecting light from a source toward an image through an optical system having a phase plate and utilizing a main phase shift of pi /2 and a variable phase shift, the improvement comprising separating the phase plate into two zones, comprising a conjugate zone and a complementary zone, and polarizing the light beam in two directions at 45* to one another, one of the polarizations being operative in the conjugate zone and the other polarization being operative in the complementary zone, without optical path delay.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
136 words
A device for variable phase contrast microscopic observation, a light source input comprising polarizing means, a phase plate, a birefringent compensator, and an analyzer, and a light output, the phase plate consisting of two polarizers operative at 45* to one another and respectively occupying a conjugate zone and a complementary zone of said plate, one polarizer being disposed in front of said plate and covering the two said zones and being parallel to the polarizer which occupies the conjugate zone of the plate, and an assembly composed of a birefringent compensator and an analyzer being mounted behind the plate, in the direction of propagation of the light, in a position compatible with the transmission of complex amplitudes of the conjugate zone being equal to 1-ei and with that of the complementary zone being equal to 1.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
136 words
A device for variable phase contrast microscopic observation, a light source input comprising polarizing means, a phase plate, a birefringent compensator, and an analyzer, and a light output, the phase plate consisting of two polarizers operative at 45* to one another and respectively occupying a conjugate zone and a complementary zone of said plate, one polarizer being disposed in front of said plate and covering the two said zones and being parallel to the polarizer which occupies the conjugate zone of the plate, and an assembly composed of a birefringent compensator and an analyzer being mounted behind the plate, in the direction of propagation of the light, in a position compatible with the transmission of complex amplitudes of the conjugate zone being equal to 1-ei and with that of the complementary zone being equal to 1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the polarizers are united by adhesive bonding between two glass plates and wherein the phase plate thereby formed has zones in which polarizing action is suppressed, said zone respectively covering the conjugate zone and the complementary zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the compensator is a Senarmont compensator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said compensator is provided with angular references enabling measurements of phase objects to be effected.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the phase plate is placed in a plane conjugate to the focal plane of the objective in relation to an optical vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said optical vehicle has a magnification equal to -1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the conjugate zone of the phase plate has an annular zone the relative surface of which forms at most 12 percent of the corresponding surface of the image of the outlet pupil of the objective used, which is projected on to the phase plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |