US3802784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microdensitometer having linear response
Assignee: Technical Operations Inc
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Filing: 1972-02-16
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Granted: 1974-04-09
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Expires: 1992-02-16
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure describes a microdensitometer having an optical system which collects transmitted light without imaging the sample being analyzed. The sample under analysis is illuminated by an unresolved focused image of the scanning aperture (e.g.: slit or hole) and approximately all of the transmitted light is collected for analysis. This microdensitometer responds linearly to irradiance transmissivity without dependence on the spatial coherence of the illumination. A coherent light source is also illustrated.
Inventors
- 👤 G Reynolds
- 👤 J Boardman
- 👤 A Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/59; G01N21/5907; G01N21/5911
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
Method of microdensitometry comprising the steps of providing a source of light, forming with said light a beam having a crosssectional configuration sufficiently small that the light therein exhibits at least partial spatial coherence, for illuminating a prescribed sample of a specimen to be examined, locating a specimen to coincide with said configuration so as to illuminate said sample of said specimen with said configuration, and collecting from said sample in a mode that does not image the specimen substantially all the light of said beam emmanating from said sample.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
Method of microdensitometry comprising the steps of providing a source of light, forming with said light a beam having a crosssectional configuration sufficiently small that the light therein exhibits at least partial spatial coherence, for illuminating a prescribed sample of a specimen to be examined, locating a specimen to coincide with said configuration so as to illuminate said sample of said specimen with said configuration, and collecting from said sample in a mode that does not image the specimen substantially all the light of said beam emmanating from said sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Method according to claim 1 comprising the additional step of locating a specimen in said beam at said configuration, scanning said specimen with said configuration, and collecting substantially all the light from successively illuminated samples of said specimen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method according to claim 1 in which said beam is formed from coherent light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method according to claim 1 in which said configuration is a spot limited in size by the diffraction pattern of the light transmitting optics.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method according to claim 1 in which said configuration is a line limited in width by the diffraction pattern of the light transmitting optics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
A microdensitometer comprising a source of light optical means for forming with said light a beam having a cross-sectional configuration sufficiently small that the light therein exhibits at least partial spatial coherence, means for supporting a specimen for illumination by said configuration, means for collecting from said specimen in a mode that does not image the specimen substantially all the light of said beam that is incident upon said specimen, and means for anlayzing said collected light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
A microdensitometer comprising a source of light optical means for forming with said light a beam having a cross-sectional configuration sufficiently small that the light therein exhibits at least partial spatial coherence, means for supporting a specimen for illumination by said configuration, means for collecting from said specimen in a mode that does not image the specimen substantially all the light of said beam that is incident upon said specimen, and means for anlayzing said collected light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A microdensitometer according to claim 6 including means to effect a scanning of said beam over said specimen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A microdensitometer according to claim 6 in which said light is substantially coherent at said source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A microdensitometer according to claim 8 in which said source is a laser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A microdensitometer according to claim 6 in which said source includes a pinhole and said optical means forms an unresolved image of said pinhole into a spot having a diameter which is limited in size by the diffraction pattern of said optical means, to provide said configuration for illuminating said specimen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A microdensitometer according to claim 6 in which said optical means comprises spherical lens means and cylindrical lens means for forming an unresolved line image of said source, for illuminating said specimen with a configuration similar to that provided by a slit aperture having width which is limited in size by the diffraction pattern of said optical means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A microdensitometer according to claim 6 including means to form a reference beam from said source and means to compare said reference beam with said collected light, for measuring transmittance of said specimen.
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) | 1977-04-08 | 1977-10-08 | 1978-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-08 | 1981-10-08 | 1982-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-08 | 1985-10-08 | 1986-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |