Patent US3782823A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3782823A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Laser microprobe
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1972-03-23
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1992-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A laser microprobe including a laser and microscope in combination with variable attenuators and pinholes to direct radiation at a microscope object and to spectroscopically analyze the effects thereof. A combined shutter and occluder permit observation through the eyepiece for alignment and subsequent discharge of the laser without danger to the operator.
Inventors
- 👤 J Kantorski
- 👤 D Smith
- 👤 M Thorburn
- 👤 Marre D La
- 👤 D Hansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/02; G01J3/0205; G01J3/0213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
A microprobe apparatus including: a frame, a laser connected to said frame and disposed along a horizontal first optical axis, a microscope connected to said frame and including a body with an eyepiece and an objective thereon along a microscope optical path and in operative relationship to an object holder, a dichroic mirror connected to said body, between said eyepiece and said objective, in both said optical path and said first horizontal optical axis and at about 45* relative to said horizontal first optical axis such that said horizontal first optical axis is deflected to a second optical axis by said mirror to coincide with said optical path, a reticle projection unit connected to said body of said microscope and effective to project, along a first projection axis, an image of a reticle and reflect the same along a second projection axis from the side of said dichroic mirror opposite that upon which radiation from said laser is incident, said reticle image being visible through said eyepiece in superimposed relationship to the object image field, attitude adjustment means to align said second proJection axis coincident with said optical path, means to transmit radiation from said laser to said mirror so as to direct the same through said objective at a desired target on said object holder, and a pinhole carrier including a plurality of radial web projections and mounted for rotation in the plane parallel to said first optical axis, each of said web projections having means for mounting a pinhole of a different size for selective placement of the same on said first optical axis, thus to control the spot size of the laser radiant energy incident upon said target.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
281 words
A microprobe apparatus including: a frame, a laser connected to said frame and disposed along a horizontal first optical axis, a microscope connected to said frame and including a body with an eyepiece and an objective thereon along a microscope optical path and in operative relationship to an object holder, a dichroic mirror connected to said body, between said eyepiece and said objective, in both said optical path and said first horizontal optical axis and at about 45* relative to said horizontal first optical axis such that said horizontal first optical axis is deflected to a second optical axis by said mirror to coincide with said optical path, a reticle projection unit connected to said body of said microscope and effective to project, along a first projection axis, an image of a reticle and reflect the same along a second projection axis from the side of said dichroic mirror opposite that upon which radiation from said laser is incident, said reticle image being visible through said eyepiece in superimposed relationship to the object image field, attitude adjustment means to align said second proJection axis coincident with said optical path, means to transmit radiation from said laser to said mirror so as to direct the same through said objective at a desired target on said object holder, and a pinhole carrier including a plurality of radial web projections and mounted for rotation in the plane parallel to said first optical axis, each of said web projections having means for mounting a pinhole of a different size for selective placement of the same on said first optical axis, thus to control the spot size of the laser radiant energy incident upon said target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
A microprobe apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including: an illuminator mounted on the body of said microscope and effective to direct light thereinto along an illumination axis, a beam splitter mounted within said body and positionable on said illumination axis and at an angle relative thereto such that said illumination axis is deflected by said beam splitter to coincide with said optical path, said beam splitter being movably mounted relative to said optical path and interconnected with said laser so that when said laser is operating, said beam splitter is out of said optical path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A microprobe apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further including: a battery of attenuators of different densities mounted for selective placement, one at a time, within said first optical axis to control the transmission of laser energy therefrom along said optical axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A microprobe apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further including: a partial reflector disposed in said first optical axis and effective to reflect a known portion of the laser radiant energy incident thereupon, and an energy monitor including a photo diode disposed in the path of radiant energy reflected from said partial reflector and means to correlate said reflected radiant energy to the total energy output from said laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A microprobe apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said beam splitter is mounted relative to said body on an electrical solenoid device and movable therewith into and out of said optical path, and further including an occluder mounted to said solenoid device for movement therewith into and out of said optical path, said occluder traversing said optical path between said dichroic mirror and said eyepiece, said occluder being in a position out of said optical path when said beam splitter is in a position in said optical path, and visa versa.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3348547A
Cited
US3463594A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |