Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for applying a nanoliter quantity of liquid to a target object without solid contact

US5400420A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
11References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 2, 1993
Grant dateMar 21, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 2, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/382
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus for optically coupling first and second optical fiber segments comprises a base frame (10), a support (14, 18) for supporting the second fiber segment relative to the base frame in an orientation in which its central axis is aligned with a horizontal optical axis (72), and a first displacement mechanism (40-64) for supporting the first fiber segment in a coaxially aligned relationship with the second fiber segment. The first displacement mechanism is operable selectively to displace the first fiber segment along the horizontal optical axis. A cup (122) contains a bath of index-matching liquid and is supported at a position below the horizontal optical axis. A second displacement mechanism (108, 110) supports a dipper (114, 118) so that the dipper is displaceable along a path such that a drop retaining portion of the dipper is first placed within the cup and is then raised so that the drop retaining portion of the dipper lies on the horizontal optical axis.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.