Microlensing particles and applications

• US 6,614,598 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1999
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Brody, James P., Quake, Stephen R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LESTER, EVELYN A
• Application Number:
  US09/441,152
• Time in Patent Office: 1,390 Days
• Field of Search: 359/642, 359/656, 359/664, 385/33, 385/35, 385/74
• US Class Current: 359/664
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0072 details concerning resolution or correction, including general design of CSOM objectives
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/32 having lens focusing means positioned between opposed fibre ends with lens being an integral part of the single fibre end G02B6/262
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4204 the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms encapsulated active devices H01S5/02208, H01L33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4206 Optical features G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence

Abstract

A microscopic lens, of size approximate 1 micron is used for its optical characteristics.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

first and second optical elements, each less than 10 μ

m in diameter;

an optical sensor, receiving light that has passed through said first and second optical elements; and

a processing element, processing said light to determine information about a spatial orientation of said first and second optical elements.

2. A sensor as in claim 1, wherein said processing element determines rotation.

3. A sensor as in claim 2, wherein said rotation is detected by intensity of light that is received.

4. A sensor as in claim 1, herein said second optical element has a different optical characteristic than said first optical element, the different optical characteristic determining an intensity of light collimated by the first optical element.

5. A sensor as in claim 4, wherein said different optical characteristic is fluorescence.

6. A sensor as in claim 4, herein the different optical characteristic comprises an angle of collection of incident light.

7. A sensor as in claim 4, herein the different optical characteristic comprises an index of refraction of incident light.