# US 10,371,574 B2 · Detector device for detection of a spectral portion for a microscope > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,574 B2 - Document ID: US10371574B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/170,931 - Filed: 2018-10-25 - Published: 2019-02-28 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-17 - Assignees: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH - Applicants: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH - Inventors: David Shafer; Tiemo Anhut; Matthias Wald - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371574B2 ## CPC - G01J 3/4406: {Fluorescence spectrometry} - G01J 3/0208: {using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or mirrors; performing aberration correction} - G01J 3/021: {using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or particular reflectors} - G01J 3/14: using refracting elements, e.g. prisms (G01J3/18, G01J3/26 take precedence {prisms per se G02B5/04}) - G01J 3/18: using diffraction elements, e.g. grating (gratings per se G02B) - G01J 3/36: Investigating two or more bands of a spectrum by separate detectors - G01N 21/6458: {Fluorescence microscopy (fluorescence microscopes per se G02B21/0076 and G02B21/16)} - G02B 21/0064: {multi-spectral or wavelength-selective arrangements, e.g. wavelength fan-out, chromatic profiling (G02B21/0076 takes precedence)} - G02B 21/0076: {arrangements using fluorescence or luminescence} - G02B 21/16: adapted for ultraviolet illumination {; Fluorescence microscopes (G02B21/0076 takes precedence)} - G02B 21/361: {Optical details, e.g. image relay to the camera or image sensor (G02B21/364 takes precedence; illumination details G02B21/06 and subgroups)} - G02B 27/0025: {for optical correction, e.g. distorsion, aberration} - G02B 27/1013: {for colour or multispectral image sensors, e.g. splitting an image into monochromatic image components on respective sensors (spectral imaging systems G01J)} - G02B 27/126: {The splitting element being a prism or prismatic array, including systems based on total internal reflection} - G01N 2021/6421: {Measuring at two or more wavelengths} - G01N 2201/068: Optics, miscellaneous - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A detection device for a microscope comprises a dispersive element in the beam path of light and a selection element. The selection element separates a beam path of a spectral portion of the light from the beam path of the light. The detector device furthermore comprises a focusing optical unit configured to focus the beam path of the spectral portion of the light onto a sensor. By way of example, the microscope may be a confocal microscope. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A detector device for a microscope, wherein the detector device comprises: a dispersive element in the beam path of the light; a selection element, wherein the selection element is arranged downstream of the dispersive element in a beam path of the light in such a way that it separates a beam path of a spectral portion of the light from the beam path of the light; a focusing optical unit arranged downstream of the selection element in the beam path of the spectral portion of the light, wherein the focusing optical unit is configured to focus the beam path of the spectral portion of the light onto a sensor arranged downstream of the focusing optical unit in the beam path of the spectral portion of the light; and a drive unit configured to position the selection element in a displaceable manner in the beam path of the light. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the focusing optical unit comprises a transverse chromatic aberration correction element arranged in the beam path of the spectral portion of the light, wherein the selection element comprises at least one wedge-shaped prism, wherein the transverse chromatic aberration correction element comprises at least one wedge-shaped prism, and wherein the selection element and the transverse chromatic aberration correction element are arranged relative to one another in such a way that a transverse chromatic aberration of the at least one wedge-shaped prism of the selection element counteracts a further transverse chromatic aberration of the at least one wedge-shaped prism of the transverse chromatic aberration correction element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The detector device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one wedge-shaped prism of the selection element and the at least one wedge-shaped prism of the transverse chromatic aberration correction element are arranged complementary to one another with respect to the beam path of the spectral portion of the light. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The detector device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a material of the at least one prism of the selection element corresponds to a material of the at least one prism of the transverse chromatic aberration correction element, and/or wherein a wedge angle of the at least one prism of the selection element corresponds to a wedge angle of the at least one prism of the transverse chromatic aberration correction element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The detector device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drive unit is furthermore configured to position the transverse chromatic aberration correction element in a displaceable manner in the beam path of the spectral portion of the light, and wherein the drive unit is configured to position the selection element and the transverse chromatic aberration correction element in a coupled manner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the focusing optical unit comprises a collecting element arranged upstream of the sensor in the beam path of the spectral portion of the light, wherein the dispersive element is at least one of a prism and a grating, wherein the collecting element is at least one of a prism and a grating, wherein the dispersive element provides a spectral decomposition of the beam path of the light, and wherein the collecting element provides a spectral unification of the beam path of the spectral portion of the light. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The detector device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the detector device furthermore comprises an imaging optics arranged at least in part between the dispersive element and the collecting element in the beam path of the light and in the beam path of the spectral portion of the light, and wherein the imaging optics is configured to obtain optical imaging of the dispersive element onto the collecting element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the focusing optical unit comprises an astigmatism correction unit configured to reduce an astigmatic aberration of the beam path of the spectral portion of the light. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selection element is arranged in the beam path of the light in such a way that it separates a beam path of the further spectral portion of the light from the beam path of the light, wherein the detector device furthermore comprises a further focusing optical unit arranged downstream of the selection element in the beam path of the further spectral portion of the light, wherein the further focusing optical unit is configured to focus the beam path of the further spectral portion of the light onto a further sensor, and wherein the further sensor is arranged downstream of the further focusing optical unit in the beam path of the further spectral portion of the light. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor has a sensitive area of less than 0.1 mm2, preferably of less than 0.05 mm2, particularly preferably of less than 0.02 mm2, and wherein the focusing optical unit is configured to focus the beam path of the spectral portion of the light onto the sensitive area of the sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of pixels configured to measure a focal distribution of the spectral portion of the light in a spatially resolved manner. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selection element comprises at least one angled mirror. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A microscope comprising a detector device as claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The microscope as claimed in claim 13, wherein the microscope is a confocal microscope. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to perform a spatially-resolved detection of a point spread function of the detector device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The detector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive unit is configured to position the selection element in the displaceable manner to select the spectral portion from a plurality of spectral portions.