US5886784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for the selection and detection of at least two spectral regions in a beam of light
Assignee: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH
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Filing: 1997-08-13
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Granted: 1999-03-23
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Expires: 2017-08-13
Abstract
Abstract Described is a device (16) for the selection and detection of at least two spectral regions in a beam of light (14), the device including a selection unit (25) and a detection unit (26). To ensure reliable simultaneous selection and detection of different spectral regions plus high yield and simplest possible construction, the device is designed such that the selection unit (25) comprises means (27) for splitting the light beam (14) up into its spectral components and means (28) for not only masking off a first spectral region (29) but also reflecting at least part (30) of the spectral region which is not masked off, and the detection unit (26) comprises a first detector (31) located in the path of the light in the masked-off first spectral region (29) and a second detector (32) located in the path of the light of the reflected spectral region (30).
Inventors
- 👤 Johann Engelhardt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/02; G01J3/0262; G01J3/12; G01J3/14; G01J3/28; G01J3/30; G01J3/36; G01J3/44; G01J3/4406; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/0004; G02B21/002; G02B21/0024; G02B21/0052; G02B21/0064; G02B21/0076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A device for selection and detection of at least two spectral regions of a beam of light, the device comprising: a selection device including a spectral decomposition device to spectrally decompose the beam of light; an optical element, which receives spectrally decomposed light from the spectral decomposition device, to cut out a first spectral region from the decomposed light and to reflect, from a totally reflecting portion, at least a part of the decomposed light which is not cut out as reflected light; and a mechanism to variably move the optical element to vary the first spectral region; and a detection device to detect light in the first spectral region and to detect the reflected light.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A device for selection and detection of at least two spectral regions of a beam of light, the device comprising: a selection device including a spectral decomposition device to spectrally decompose the beam of light; an optical element, which receives spectrally decomposed light from the spectral decomposition device, to cut out a first spectral region from the decomposed light and to reflect, from a totally reflecting portion, at least a part of the decomposed light which is not cut out as reflected light; and a mechanism to variably move the optical element to vary the first spectral region; and a detection device to detect light in the first spectral region and to detect the reflected light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the detection device includes a first detector to detect light in the first spectral region and a second detector to detect the reflected light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the selection device further comprises a second optical element, which receives the reflected light, to cut out a second spectral region from the reflected light and to reflect at least a part of the reflected light which is not cut out as second reflected light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the detection device includes a first detector to detect light in the first spectral region and a second detector to detect light in the second spectral region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mechanism varies an angular orientation of the optical element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mechanism continuously varies an angular orientation of the optical element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the selection device further comprises a third optical element, which receives the second reflected light, to cut out a third spectral region from the second reflected light and to reflect at least a part of the second reflected light which is not cut out as third reflected light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spectral decomposition device includes a prism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spectral decomposition device includes an optical grating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spectral decomposition device includes a hologram.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as set forth in claim 8, further comprising pivots such that the prism is pivotable about an axis orthogonal to an incident beam of light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as set forth in claim 9, further comprising pivots such that the optical grating is pivotable about an axis orthogonal to an incident beam of light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as set forth in claim 10, further comprising pivots such that the hologram is pivotable about an axis orthogonal to an incident beam of light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mechanism variably moves the optical element in a continuous manner.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the optical element includes light traps.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a second mechanism to vary a relative position between the spectral decomposition device and the optical element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism to vary a relative angular orientation between the spectral decomposition device and the optical element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a mechanism to vary a relative position between the optical element and the second optical element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism to vary a relative position between the optical element and the detection device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism to vary a relative angular orientation between the optical element and the detection device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the selection device further comprises a second optical element, which receives the reflected light, to cut out a second spectral region from the reflected light.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the mechanism variably moves the optical element in a continuous manner.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as set forth in claim 15, wherein the mechanism variably moves an angular orientation of the optical element in a continuous manner.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
142 words
A confocal microscope, comprising: a light source to generate a beam of light; a scanner to scan an object with the beam of light; and a device for selection and detection of at least two spectral regions of light from the object, the device including a selection device including a spectral decomposition device to spectrally decompose the light from the object; an optical element, which receives spectrally decomposed light from the spectral decomposition device, to cut out a first spectral region from the decomposed light and to reflect, from a totally reflecting portion, at least a part of the decomposed light which is not cut out as reflected light; and a mechanism to variably move the optical element to vary the first spectral region; and a detection device to detect light in the first spectral region and to detect the reflected light.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
142 words
A confocal microscope, comprising: a light source to generate a beam of light; a scanner to scan an object with the beam of light; and a device for selection and detection of at least two spectral regions of light from the object, the device including a selection device including a spectral decomposition device to spectrally decompose the light from the object; an optical element, which receives spectrally decomposed light from the spectral decomposition device, to cut out a first spectral region from the decomposed light and to reflect, from a totally reflecting portion, at least a part of the decomposed light which is not cut out as reflected light; and a mechanism to variably move the optical element to vary the first spectral region; and a detection device to detect light in the first spectral region and to detect the reflected light.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, wherein the detection device includes a first detector to detect light in the first spectral region and a second detector to detect the reflected light.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, wherein the selection device further comprises a second optical element, which receives the reflected light, to cut out a second spectral region from the reflected light and to reflect at least a part of the reflected light which is not cut out as second reflected light.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 26, wherein the detection device includes a first detector to detect light in the first spectral region and a second detector to detect light in the second spectral region.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, wherein the mechanism varies an angular orientation of the optical element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, wherein the mechanism continuously varies an angular orientation of the optical element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 26, wherein the selection device further comprises a third optical element, which receives the second reflected light, to cut out a third spectral region from the second reflected light and to reflect at least a part of the second reflected light which is not cut out as third reflected light.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, wherein the spectral decomposition device includes a prism.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, wherein the spectral decomposition device includes an optical grating.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, therein the spectral decomposition device includes a hologram.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 31, further comprising pivots such that the prism is pivotable about an axis orthogonal to an incident beam of light.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 32, further comprising pivots such that the optical grating is pivotable about an axis orthogonal to an incident beam of light.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 33, further comprising pivots such that the hologram is pivotable about an axis orthogonal to an incident beam of light.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, wherein the mechanism variably moves the optical element in a continuous manner.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, wherein the optical element includes light traps.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, further comprising a second mechanism to vary a relative position between the spectral decomposition device and the optical element.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, further comprising a mechanism to vary a relative angular orientation between the spectral decomposition device and the optical element.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 26, further comprising a mechanism to vary a relative position between the optical element and the second optical element.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, further comprising a mechanism to vary a relative position between the optical element and the detection device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, further comprising a mechanism to vary a relative angular orientation between the optical element and the detection device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
35 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 24, wherein the selection device further comprises a second optical element, which receives the reflected light, to cut out a second spectral region from the reflected light.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 38, wherein the mechanism variably moves the optical element in a continuous manner.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
A confocal microscope as set forth in claim 38, wherein the mechanism variably moves an angular orientation of the optical element in a continuous manner.
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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) | 2002-03-22 | 2002-09-21 | 2003-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-22 | 2006-09-21 | 2007-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-22 | 2010-09-21 | 2011-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |