Optical apparatus
US6819411B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/6469
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Various optical apparatus provide a source of parallel light (7, 75). The parallel light (7, 75) is generally achieved by directing an incident beam at the apex of a prism (1, 22, 24, 26, 28). The prism may have varying configurations. One configuration has a forward conical face (24). Another configuration has a pyramidal forward end (22). Other configurations are also disclosed. The application also discloses the use of reflectors (20, 78, 216, 316, 400) having internal reflective surfaces shaped as three-dimensional figures of revolution, for example paraboloid or ellipsoid. The reflectors (20, 78, 216, 316) focus light incident onto the reflectors at one or more foci (F, 220, 320, 420). The reflectors may be used in combination with the optical apparatus including the prisms (1, 22, 24, 26, 28). The reflectors (20, 78, 216, 316) may be used in flow cytometers for focussing light at a sample stream (237, 337) passing through the focus (F, 220, 320, 420) of the reflector (20, 78, 216, 316). The collection of scattered and/or fluorescent light from an illuminated sample stream (237, 337) in a flow cytometer may be achieved with the use of a collector shaped as a figure of revoluti…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.