ANNULAR OPTICAL DEVICE
First Claim
1. An annular optical device (100), comprising:
- an annular meso-optic (1) including an annulus (11) centered about an axis of revolution (A); and
a secondary optical structure (2) substantially coaxial within the annulus (11) of the annular meso-optic (1), wherein the secondary optical structure (2) and the annular meso-optic (1) are separated by a media (12) including a media refractive index that is lower than a secondary optical structure refractive index, with the secondary optical structure (2) being configured to hold a specimen to be radiated by impinging electromagnetic radiation directed into the secondary optical structure (2) substantially along the axis of revolution (A). wherein scattered radiation from the secondary optical structure (2) and within the annulus (11) of the annular meso-optic (1) is allowed into the annular meso-optic (1) by the secondary optical structure (2) if an angle of incidence of the scattered radiation exceeds a predetermined incidence threshold and wherein the annular meso-optic (1) re-directs the scattered radiation to comprise re-directed radiation that is substantially parallel to the axis of revolution (A).
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Accused Products
Abstract
An annular optical device (100) includes an annular meso-optic (1) including an annulus (11) centered about an axis of revolution (A) and a secondary optical structure (2) substantially coaxial within the annulus (11). The secondary optical structure (2) and the annular meso-optic (1) are separated by a media (12) including a media refractive index that is lower than the refractive index of the secondary optical structure. The secondary optical structure (2) holds a specimen to be radiated by impinging electromagnetic radiation. Scattered radiation from the secondary optical structure (2) and within the annulus (11) of the annular meso-optic (1) is allowed into the annular meso-optic (1) if an angle of incidence of the scattered radiation exceeds a predetermined incidence threshold. The annular meso-optic (1) re-directs the scattered radiation to comprise re-directed radiation that is substantially parallel to the axis of revolution (A).
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An annular optical device (100), comprising:
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an annular meso-optic (1) including an annulus (11) centered about an axis of revolution (A); and a secondary optical structure (2) substantially coaxial within the annulus (11) of the annular meso-optic (1), wherein the secondary optical structure (2) and the annular meso-optic (1) are separated by a media (12) including a media refractive index that is lower than a secondary optical structure refractive index, with the secondary optical structure (2) being configured to hold a specimen to be radiated by impinging electromagnetic radiation directed into the secondary optical structure (2) substantially along the axis of revolution (A). wherein scattered radiation from the secondary optical structure (2) and within the annulus (11) of the annular meso-optic (1) is allowed into the annular meso-optic (1) by the secondary optical structure (2) if an angle of incidence of the scattered radiation exceeds a predetermined incidence threshold and wherein the annular meso-optic (1) re-directs the scattered radiation to comprise re-directed radiation that is substantially parallel to the axis of revolution (A). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of forming an annular optical device, the method comprising:
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providing an annular meso-optic including an annulus centered about an axis of revolution; and providing a secondary optical structure substantially coaxial within the annulus of the annular meso-optic, wherein the secondary optical structure and the annular meso-optic are separated by a media including a media refractive index that is lower than the refractive index of the secondary optical structure, with the secondary optical structure being configured to hold a specimen to be radiated by impinging electromagnetic radiation directed into the secondary optical structure substantially along the axis of revolution, wherein scattered radiation from the secondary optical structure and within the annulus of the annular meso-optic is allowed into the annular meso-optic by the secondary optical structure if an angle of incidence of the scattered radiation exceeds a predetermined incidence threshold and wherein the annular meso-optic re-directs the scattered radiation to comprise re-directed radiation that is substantially parallel to the axis of revolution. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification