US5077695A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Near field scanning acoustic microscope and method
Assignee: Leland Stanford Junior University
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Filing: 1989-11-13
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Granted: 1991-12-31
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Expires: 2009-11-13
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic microscope in which acoustic energy is focused onto a membrane which includes an aperture which is a fraction of the size of the focal spot of the acoustic beam at the membrane to form fringing fields on the other side of the membrane. Acoustic energy reflected from the membrane is detected. An object to be examined is placed in cooperative relationship with the fringing fields.
Inventors
- 👤 Butrus T. Khuri-Yakub
- 👤 Paul A. Reinholdtsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/06; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y15/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/221; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of acoustically imaging an object which comprises generating an acoustic beam at a predetermined frequency, focusing the acoustic beam at a predetermined focal point to form a focal spot located adjacent the object to be imaged, placing a membrane including a pinhole smaller than the focal spot in the acoustic beam to receive the beam on one side of said membrane whereby to form fringing fields at the other side of same membrane, bringing the object into the fringing field, detecting acoustic energy reflected from the membrane as the object is moved in the fringing field, and converting the detected energy to an electrical signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of acoustically imaging an object which comprises generating an acoustic beam at a predetermined frequency, focusing the acoustic beam at a predetermined focal point to form a focal spot located adjacent the object to be imaged, placing a membrane including a pinhole smaller than the focal spot in the acoustic beam to receive the beam on one side of said membrane whereby to form fringing fields at the other side of same membrane, bringing the object into the fringing field, detecting acoustic energy reflected from the membrane as the object is moved in the fringing field, and converting the detected energy to an electrical signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as in claim 1 in which the membrane is positioned so that the pinhole is at the focus of the acoustic beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as in claim 1 in which the membrane is positioned so that the pinhole is displaced from the focal spot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
128 words
A scanning acoustic microscope of the type including a transducer and a lens for forming and focusing an acoustic beam of predetermined frequency to define a focal spot of a size determined by said lens and frequency comprising a membrane including an aperture having a smaller size than said focal spot, said membrane positioned in said beam to receive and reflect acoustic energy from one surface and forming a fringing field at the aperture on the other surface of the membrane, means for positioning an object to be examined adjacent said membrane and in cooperation with the fringing field, means for moving the object in the fringing fields, and means for detecting the reflected energy and forming an output signal representative of the amplitude of the reflected energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
A scanning acoustic microscope of the type including a transducer and a lens for forming and focusing an acoustic beam of predetermined frequency to define a focal spot of a size determined by said lens and frequency comprising a membrane including an aperture having a smaller size than said focal spot, said membrane positioned in said beam to receive and reflect acoustic energy from one surface and forming a fringing field at the aperture on the other surface of the membrane, means for positioning an object to be examined adjacent said membrane and in cooperation with the fringing field, means for moving the object in the fringing fields, and means for detecting the reflected energy and forming an output signal representative of the amplitude of the reflected energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A scanning microscope as in claim 4 in which said membrane is positioned at the focal spot of said acoustic beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A scanning microscope as in claim 4 in which said membrane is positioned so that the aperture is displaced from the focal spot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
A scanning microscope of the type including a transducer and a lens for forming and focusing an acoustic beam to a focal spot comprising a member including at least one aperture having a size smaller than the focal spot, means for positioning said member so that said at least one aperture is in said acoustic beam whereby fringing fields are formed at said aperture, and means for positioning an object to be examined adjacent said membrane for cooperation with the fringing fields.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A scanning microscope of the type including a transducer and a lens for forming and focusing an acoustic beam to a focal spot comprising a member including at least one aperture having a size smaller than the focal spot, means for positioning said member so that said at least one aperture is in said acoustic beam whereby fringing fields are formed at said aperture, and means for positioning an object to be examined adjacent said membrane for cooperation with the fringing fields.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4818110A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-30 | 1995-07-01 | 1995-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-30 | 1999-07-01 | 1999-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-30 | 2003-07-01 | 2003-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |