US6178041B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for coupling the radiation of short-pulse lasers in an optical beam path of a microscope
Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
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Filing: 1997-04-09
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Granted: 2001-01-23
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Expires: 2017-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A device for coupling the radiation from short-pulse lasers into a beam path of a microscope, wherein the coupling in is effected by means of at least one light-conducting fiber following the laser, preferably in a confocal beam path, and the end of the fiber is imaged on an object, and an optical arrangement is provided between the laser and light-conducting fiber for changing the laser pulses with respect to time in a wavelength-dependent manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Simon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246; G02B21/00; G02B21/0004; G02B21/002; G02B21/0024; G02B21/0032; G02B21/0052; G02B21/0064; G02B21/008; G02B21/0084; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4206; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/292; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/005; H01S3/0057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A device for coupling radiation in the form of laser pulses supplied from a short-pulse laser into a beam path of a microscope, said device comprising: at least one light-conducting fiber following the laser for coupling said laser pulses into said beam path of said microscope; and an optical arrangement provided between the laser and said at least one light-conducting fiber, said optical arrangement changing the laser pulses with respect to time in a wavelength-dependent manner.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A device for coupling radiation in the form of laser pulses supplied from a short-pulse laser into a beam path of a microscope, said device comprising: at least one light-conducting fiber following the laser for coupling said laser pulses into said beam path of said microscope; and an optical arrangement provided between the laser and said at least one light-conducting fiber, said optical arrangement changing the laser pulses with respect to time in a wavelength-dependent manner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling in is effected in a confocal beam path and an end of the fiber is imaged on an object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 2 , wherein the microscope is a laser scanning microscope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling in is effected via at least one monomode fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the optical arrangement comprises at least two prisms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the optical arrangement comprises at least two gratings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the optical arrangement comprises a combination of prisms and gratings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the optical arrangement comprises four prisms or gratings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein a difference in time between different wavelengths of the laser pulses is adjustable by the optical arrangement.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim wherein a distance or distances between elements comprising the optical arrangement is adjustable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 10 , wherein the optical arrangement comprises prisms or mirrors, and a spacing between the prisms or mirrors of the optical arrangement is adjustable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein light from other laser light sources is coupled in via the light-conducting fiber simultaneously or at an offset in time in addition to the radiation supplied from the short-pulse laser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the coupling in is effected in a beam path and an end of the fiber is imaged on an object in a laser scanning microscope.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 13 , wherein the coupling in is effected via at least one monomode fiber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical arrangement comprises at least two prisms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical arrangement comprises at least two gratings.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical arrangement comprises a combination of prisms and gratings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 13 , wherein the optical arrangement comprises four prisms or gratings.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 13 , wherein a difference in time between different wavelengths of the laser pulses is adjustable by the optical arrangement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 19 , wherein a spacing between elements of the optical arrangement is adjustable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device according to claim 20 , wherein the optical arrangement comprises prisms or mirrors, and a spacing between the prisms or mirrors of the optical arrangement is adjustable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device according to claim 13 , wherein light from other laser light sources is coupled in via the light-conducting fiber simultaneously or at an offset in time in addition to the radiation of the short-pulse lasers.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for adjusting a launching unit or coupling in unit for a microscope, comprising the steps of: providing prisms and/or gratings for the coupling in unit for coupling radiation of short-pulse lasers into a beam path of a microscope via at least one light-conducting fiber; and displacing at least one prism and/or grating of the coupling in unit for adjustment in order to change the laser pulses with respect to time in a wavelength-dependent manner.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for adjusting a launching unit or coupling in unit for a microscope, comprising the steps of: providing prisms and/or gratings for the coupling in unit for coupling radiation of short-pulse lasers into a beam path of a microscope via at least one light-conducting fiber; and displacing at least one prism and/or grating of the coupling in unit for adjustment in order to change the laser pulses with respect to time in a wavelength-dependent 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) | 2004-01-23 | 2004-07-24 | 2005-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-23 | 2008-07-24 | 2009-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-23 | 2012-07-24 | 2013-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |