Confocal tandem scanning reflected light microscope

Claim 2

A scanning device for use in an optical imaging system, comprising: an opaque disk having apertures formed therein in an annular pattern around the circumference of the disk; the apertures being distributed within the annular pattern in a series of adjacent arcuate, radially-extending arms defined by radius vectors having their length R n determined in accordance with the relationship: ##EQU1## where R n-1 is the length of the preceding radius vector and K is a constant, and their angle T of orientation determined in accordance with the relationship: T=Cos.sup.-1 (R.sub.n.sup.2 +R.sub.n+1.sup.2 -L.sup.2)/(2R.sub.n R.sub.n+1) where L is the distance between the ends of the radius vectors.

Claim 3

A tandem scanning microscope, comprising: a rotating array of light transmissive areas, the areas being distributed within the annular pattern in a series of adjacent arcuate, radially-extending arms defined by radius vectors having their length R n determined in accordance with the relationship: ##EQU2## where R n-1 is the length of the preceding radius vector and K is a constant, and their angle T of orientation determined in accordance with the relationship: T=Cos.sup.-1 (R.sub.n.sup.2 +R.sub.n+1.sup.2 -L.sup.2)/(2R.sub.n R.sub.n+1) where L is the distance between the ends of the radius vectors; means including areas of the array for providing incoming light as a series of beams which scan in a specimen field of view and illuminate patches in a plane of focus; and means for imaging reflected light from the illuminated patches in the focal plane onto areas of the array which are scanning in the focal plane of an eyepiece.

Claim 4

A tandem scanning microscope, comprising: a rotating array of light transmissive areas, the areas being distributed within the annular pattern in a series of adjacent arcuate, radially-extending arms defined by radius vectors having their length R n determined in accordance with the relationship: ##EQU2## where R n-1 is the length of the preceding radius vector and K is a constant, and their angle T of orientation determined in accordance with the relationship: T=Cos.sup.-1 (R.sub.n.sup.2 +R.sub.n+1.sup.2 -L.sup.2)/(2R.sub.n R.sub.n+1) where L is the distance between the ends of the radius vectors; means including areas of the array for providing incoming light as a series of beams which scan in a specimen field of view and illuminate patches in a plane of focus; and means for imaging reflected light from the illuminated patches in the focal plane onto areas of the array which are scanning in the focal plane of an eyepiece.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the array of light transmissive areas is formed in a micromachined silicon disk.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the light transmissive areas are formed as square holes.

Claim 7

A tandem scanning microscope, comprising: a rotating disk having an array of apertures formed in a micromachined silicon structure; means cooperating with an area of the array of apertures for providing incoming light as a series of beams which scan in a specimen field of view and illuminate patches in a plane of focus; and means for imaging reflected light from the illuminated patches in the focal plane onto apertures of the array which are scanning in the focal plane of an eyepiece.

Claim 8

A tandem scanning microscope, comprising: a rotating disk having an array of apertures formed in a micromachined silicon structure; means cooperating with an area of the array of apertures for providing incoming light as a series of beams which scan in a specimen field of view and illuminate patches in a plane of focus; and means for imaging reflected light from the illuminated patches in the focal plane onto apertures of the array which are scanning in the focal plane of an eyepiece.