Independent focus compensation for a multi-axis imaging system
US7388714B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B21/002
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A multiple-axis imaging system having optical elements whose optimal image positions can be individually adjusted, comprising a plurality of optical array elements having respective optical axes and being individually disposed with respect to one another to image respective sections of an object; and a plurality of image position shifting devices corresponding to respective optical elements for separately establishing the image positions for a plurality of the optical array elements. The multi-axis imaging system preferably comprises a miniaturized microscope array. The shifting devices may comprise wavelength filters or optical-path-length-altering elements, such as a plane parallel plates. The devices may also comprise a pair of wedges that adjustably overlap one another, the wedges having apexes that point in opposite directions and respective corresponding planar surfaces that are parallel to one another. A method for separately adjusting the image positions of a plurality of optical elements in a multi-axis imaging system is also provided, particularly in an array microscope.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.