US4795246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Differential interference contrast microscope using non-uniformly deformed plastic birefringent components
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-07-30
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Granted: 1989-01-03
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Expires: 2007-07-30
Abstract
Abstract In a differential interference contrast microscope, including a beam splitter and a compensator beam splitter, each of the beam splitters and the compensator comprise at least one non-uniformly deformed plastic birefringent component exhibiting linearly graded optical retardation between the ordinary and the extraordinary transmitted rays in one direction across the aperture and constant retardation in the orthogonal direction. The splitter and compensator may comprise a single unit for a reflected light microscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Lord
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/06; G02B21/08; G02B21/14; G02B21/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A differential interference contrast microscope including a beam splitter and a compensator, each of said beam splitter and said compensator comprising at least one non-uniformly deformed plastic birefringent component exhibiting linearly graded optical retardation between the ordinary and the extraordinary transmitted rays in one direction across its aperture and constant retardation in the orthogonal direction, said beam splitter being positioned adjacent to and after the objective.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A differential interference contrast microscope including a beam splitter and a compensator, each of said beam splitter and said compensator comprising at least one non-uniformly deformed plastic birefringent component exhibiting linearly graded optical retardation between the ordinary and the extraordinary transmitted rays in one direction across its aperture and constant retardation in the orthogonal direction, said beam splitter being positioned adjacent to and after the objective.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said compensator is positioned adjacent to and before the condenser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A beam splitter as claimed in claim 1, said beam splitter comprising two of said non-uniformly deformed plastic components, superposed, said retardations being opposed and orientated in compensating mode, the combination having zero retardation near to its central region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said beam splitter comprising one non-uniformly deformed plastic component and a uniformly deformed plastic component exhibiting uniform retardation, superposed, said uniformly deformed plastic component being oriented in compensating mode, the combination having zero retardation at least near to its central region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said compensator comprising two of said non-uniformly deformed plastic components, superposed, said retardations being opposed and orientated in compensating mode the combination having zero retardation near to its central region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said compensator comprising one non-uniformly deformed plastic component and one uniformly deformed plastic component exhibiting uniform retardation, superposed, said uniformly deformed plastic component being orientated in a compensating mode, the combination having zero retardation near to its central region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, each said birefringent component being deformed by being heated to a softening point, stretched and held under tension until cooled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, each said birefringent component being deformed by being softened by saturation with the vapour of a solvent, stretched, and held under tension until solvent has evaporated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, the component at said beam splitter being positioned between two optically flat glass plates in a medium of matching refractive index.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, the components at said beam splitter being positioned between two optically flat glass plates in a medium of matching refractive index.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, the components at said compensator being positioned between two optically flat glass plates in a medium of matching refractive index.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, the components at said compensator being positioned between two optically flat glass plates in a medium of matching refractive index.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, said matching refractive index being the mean refractive index of said components.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, said matching refractive index being the mean refractive index of said components.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, said matching refractive index being the mean refractive index of said components.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, said matching refractive index being the mean refractive index of said components.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a reflected light differential interference contrast microscope, said beam splitter and said compensator comprising a single unit having at least one non-uniformly deformed plastic birefringent component exhibiting linearly graded optical retardation between the ordinary and the extraordinary transmitted rays in one direction across its aperture and constant retardation in the orthogonal direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a transmitted light differential interference contrast microscope including a substage condenser having a first focal plane and an objective having a rear focal plane, said beam splitter being positioned before said first focal plane and as close thereto as possible, said compensator being positioned after said rear focal plane and as close thereto as possible.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, including a further compensator positioned as close as possible to a plane optically conjugate with the image plane of the microscope, said further compensator comprising at least on non-uniformly deformed plastic birefringent component exhibiting linearly graded optical retardation between the ordinary and the extraordinary transmitted rays in one direction across its aperture and constant retardation in the orthogonal direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, said reflected light differential interference contrast microscope including an objective having a rear focal plane, said single unit comprising said beam splitter and said compensator being positioned as close a possible to said rear focal plane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus a claimed in claim 20, including a further compensator positioned as close as possible to a plane optically conjugate with the image plane of the microscope, said further compensator comprising at least one non-uniformly deformed plastic birefringent component exhibiting linearly graded optical retardation between the ordinary and the extraordinary transmitted rays in one direction across its aperture and constant retardation in the orthogonal direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-03 | 1992-07-04 | 1993-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-03 | 1996-07-04 | 1997-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-03 | 2000-07-04 | 2001-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |