Multiple magnification optical system with single objective lens
First Claim
1. A multiple magnification optical system for viewing a specimen, comprising:
- a single objective lens;
the objective lens having a focal length equal to F0;
the objective lens having a principal plane;
the objective lens located inside the vacuum chamber of an instrument;
a gradient-index lens;
the gradient-index lens positioned to receive light passing through the objective lens;
the gradient-index lens having first and second ends;
a beam splitter;
the beam splitter creating first and second optical axes;
the beam splitter located outside the vacuum chamber and positioned to receive light passing through the gradient-index lens;
the first end of the gradient-index lens located inside the vacuum chamber adjacent to the objective lens;
the second end of the gradient-index lens located outside the vacuum chamber adjacent to the beam splitter;
a first camera aligned in the first optical axis;
a first lens in the first optical axis;
the first lens having a focal length equal to F1;
the first lens situated a distance F1 from the first camera;
a second camera aligned in the second optical axis;
the second camera situated a distance from the principal plane of the objective lens equal to 2F0;
so that a first magnification of the specimen at the first camera is obtained where the working distance of the objective lens from a specimen is equal to F0, and a second magnification of the specimen at the second camera is obtained where the working distance of the objective lens from the specimen is equal to 2F0.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple magnification optical system has a single objective focused upon a specimen at a given working distance. A graded-index lens receives light passing through the objective from the specimen. A beam splitter splits the light exiting the gradient-index lens into a first optical axis and a second optical axis. A first lens is aligned in the first optical axis between the beam splitter and a first camera to focus a magnified image at the first camera. A second camera is situated along the second optical axis from the rear principal plane of the objective so as to obtain unity magnification when the working distance of the objective is set at twice its focal length. Multiple magnifications can be obtained with a single objective by moving the optical system axially to set different working distances from a specimen, and by using multiple beam splitters, or combinations thereof.
23 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A multiple magnification optical system for viewing a specimen, comprising:
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a single objective lens; the objective lens having a focal length equal to F0; the objective lens having a principal plane; the objective lens located inside the vacuum chamber of an instrument; a gradient-index lens; the gradient-index lens positioned to receive light passing through the objective lens; the gradient-index lens having first and second ends; a beam splitter; the beam splitter creating first and second optical axes; the beam splitter located outside the vacuum chamber and positioned to receive light passing through the gradient-index lens; the first end of the gradient-index lens located inside the vacuum chamber adjacent to the objective lens; the second end of the gradient-index lens located outside the vacuum chamber adjacent to the beam splitter; a first camera aligned in the first optical axis; a first lens in the first optical axis; the first lens having a focal length equal to F1; the first lens situated a distance F1 from the first camera; a second camera aligned in the second optical axis; the second camera situated a distance from the principal plane of the objective lens equal to 2F0; so that a first magnification of the specimen at the first camera is obtained where the working distance of the objective lens from a specimen is equal to F0, and a second magnification of the specimen at the second camera is obtained where the working distance of the objective lens from the specimen is equal to 2F0. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A multiple magnification optical system for viewing a specimen, comprising:
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a single objective lens; the objective lens having a focal length equal to F0; the objective lens having a principal plane; the objective lens located inside the vacuum chamber of an instrument; a gradient-index lens; the gradient-index lens positioned to receive light passing through the objective lens; the graded-index lens having first and second ends; a beam splitter; the beam splitter creating first and second optical axes; the beam splitter located outside the vacuum chamber and positioned to receive light passing through the gradient-index lens; the first end of the gradient-index lens located inside the vacuum chamber adjacent to the objective lens; the second end of the gradient-index lens located outside the vacuum chamber adjacent to the beam splitter; a first camera aligned in the first optical axis; a first lens in the first optical axis; the first lens having a focal length equal to F1; the first lens situated a distance F1 from the first camera; a second camera aligned in the second optical axis; the second camera situated a distance from the principal plane of the objective lens greater than 2F0; a second lens in the second optical axis between the beam splitter and the second camera; so that a first magnification of the specimen at the first camera is obtained where the working distance of the objective lens from a specimen is equal to F0, and a second magnification of the specimen at the second camera is obtained where the working distance of the objective lens from the specimen is greater than 2F0. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification