Patent · US Expired

Multifrequency ultra-high resolution miniature scanning microscope using microchannel and solid-state sensor technologies and method for scanning samples

US6998600B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
18References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 2003
Grant dateFeb 14, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 3, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG21K7/00
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A miniature, ultra-high resolution, and color scanning microscope using microchannel and solid-state technology that does not require focus adjustment. One embodiment includes a source of collimated radiant energy for illuminating a sample, a plurality of narrow angle filters comprising a microchannel structure to permit the passage of only unscattered radiant energy through the microchannels with some portion of the radiant energy entering the microchannels from the sample, a solid-state sensor array attached to the microchannel structure, the microchannels being aligned with an element of the solid-state sensor array, that portion of the radiant energy entering the microchannels parallel to the microchannel walls travels to the sensor element generating an electrical signal from which an image is reconstructed by an external device, and a moving element for movement of the microchannel structure relative to the sample. Discloses a method for scanning samples whereby the sensor array elements trace parallel paths that are arbitrarily close to the parallel paths traced by other elements of the sensor array.

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