Transmission illumination type differential interference microscope
US6549334B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 4, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B21/0004
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In the transmission illumination type differential interference microscope, light in a given polarized state is separated by a first birefringent optical member 1 into two linearly polarized light components L1 and L2 and both of the polarized light components are converted into parallel light by means of a condenser lens 13. The object being examined 15 is illuminated by the polarized light components which are then converted into convergent light by an objective 16. Both of the polarized light components are then synthesized into a single light beam by a second birefringent optical element 2 and both of the polarized light components of the synthesized light beam are caused to undergo polarization interference by an analyzer 17 so that an enlarged image 18 of the object being examined 15, is formed. At least one of the first and second birefringent optical members 1 and 2 is formed by joining one isotropic prism 1g or 2g, consisting of an isotropic optical material, and one birefringent prism 1a or 2a, consisting of a birefringent optical material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.