Patent US3637280A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3637280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Devices for high-contrast imaging of phase objects in incident-light microscopy
Assignee: Jenoptik AG
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Filing: 1970-05-12
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1990-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A device for high-contrast imaging of phase objects in incidentlight microscopy operates on Kohler''s principle of illumination and enables phase contrast images to be obtained with sufficient brightness and without reflexes. The device includes a phase contrast objective, a phase plate with a phase layer, and an aperture diaphragm that corresponds to the phase plate. The phase plate is so located in the rear focal plane of the phase contrast objective that the diaphragm image produced in the focal plane of the objective after reflection on the specimen surface is covered by the phase layer and that the diaphragm image produced directly by an illumination lens appears in a portion of the objective focal plane which is not covered by the phase layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Hermann Beyer
- 👤 Gunter Schoppe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/06; G02B21/08; G02B21/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A device for high-contrast imaging of phase objects in incident-light microscopy, comprising an optical observation system and an illuminating system, the observation ray path and the illumination ray path being in part aligned along a common optical axis by a beam-splitting mirror, a phase plate and an objective and the surface of the object being located along said common optical axis, said phase plate carrying a phase layer and lying near the focal plane of said objective, said illumination ray path traversing a collector, an aperture diaphragm and an illumination lens, said illumination lens imaging said aperture diaphragm via said beam-splitting mirror in the plane of said phase plate, said aperture diaphragm and said phase layer being so coordinated to each other in form and arrangement that the image of said aperture diaphragm lies on a portion of said plate which is not covered by said phase layer and that the rays after traversing said uncovered portion and reflection by the surface of the examined object produce a secondary image of said aperture diaphragm which coincides with said phase layer on said phase plate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
A device for high-contrast imaging of phase objects in incident-light microscopy, comprising an optical observation system and an illuminating system, the observation ray path and the illumination ray path being in part aligned along a common optical axis by a beam-splitting mirror, a phase plate and an objective and the surface of the object being located along said common optical axis, said phase plate carrying a phase layer and lying near the focal plane of said objective, said illumination ray path traversing a collector, an aperture diaphragm and an illumination lens, said illumination lens imaging said aperture diaphragm via said beam-splitting mirror in the plane of said phase plate, said aperture diaphragm and said phase layer being so coordinated to each other in form and arrangement that the image of said aperture diaphragm lies on a portion of said plate which is not covered by said phase layer and that the rays after traversing said uncovered portion and reflection by the surface of the examined object produce a secondary image of said aperture diaphragm which coincides with said phase layer on said phase plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said aperture diaphragm comprises an odd number of transparent portions of a circular ring concentric with said optical axis, said portions being separated from each other by opaque spaces, the arc lengths of said opaque spaces being approximately equal to the arc lengths of said portions, and said phase plate carrying a phase layer conjugated to said aperture diaphragm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said aperture diaphragm and said phase layer comprise a plurality of systems of circular ring portions of differential mean diameters, said diameters differing from each other by at least the breadth of the circular ring portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said aperture diaphragm and said phase layer comprise an odd number of sectors separated from each other by opaque spaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein an iris diaphragm variable in size is located near the field of said aperture diaphragm.
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) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |