Prism design for scanning applications and illumination of microscopy sample
First Claim
1. A method for controlling the movement of a light beam in a scanning apparatus, as a function of variation in the length of the optical path of said beam, comprising(a) directing said light beam to an angular prism, wherein said angular prism is coupled to a sample at a base interface;
- characterised in that the base angle θ
p of the prism satisfies the equations;
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Accused Products
Abstract
A prism for use in scanning applications such as total internal reflection microscopy in which the prism is translated relative to an incident light beam. A geometry is disclosed which cancels walk of the beam footprint at the base of the prism. Walk of the beam footprint due to irregularities in a largely planar sample surface located at the prism base are cancelled by coupling movement of the incident light beam to movement of the sample in the field of view of an objective lens, for example as part of an autofocus arrangement.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method for controlling the movement of a light beam in a scanning apparatus, as a function of variation in the length of the optical path of said beam, comprising
(a) directing said light beam to an angular prism, wherein said angular prism is coupled to a sample at a base interface; characterised in that the base angle θ
p of the prism satisfies the equations;- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
Specification