# US 10,481,093 B2 · Beam splitter and arrangement for examining a sample which can be excited by means of electromagnetic radiation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,481,093 B2 - Document ID: US10481093B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/550,325 - Filed: 2016-02-06 - Published: 2018-02-01 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-10 - Assignees: EyeSense AG - Applicants: EyeSense GmbH - Inventors: Ralf Mueller; Hans-Georg Ortlepp - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481093B2 ## CPC - G01N 21/645: {Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters} - G02B 27/141: {using dichroic mirrors} - G02B 27/145: {having sequential partially reflecting surfaces} - G01N 2021/6471: {Special filters, filter wheel} - G01N 2201/0846: Fibre interface with sample, e.g. for spatial resolution - G02B 21/0008: {Microscopes having a simple construction, e.g. portable microscopes} - G02B 21/16: adapted for ultraviolet illumination {; Fluorescence microscopes (G02B21/0076 takes precedence)} - G02B 27/142: {Coating structures, e.g. thin films multilayers} - 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 An arrangement for examining a sample which can be excited by means of electromagnetic radiation comprises a first dichroitic beam splitter having a first and a second prism, which are connected to one another on the base surfaces thereof, and a dichroitic layer arranged between the base surfaces of the two prisms, wherein an entry surface of the first prism encloses an angle (β) in the range from 10° to <40° with the dichroitic layer. Furthermore a light source provides the electromagnetic radiation suitable for excitation of the sample, the radiation coupled into the entry surface of the first prism, wherein a part of the radiation is reflected on the dichroitic layer in the direction of the sample, which is positioned downstream of an exit surface of the first prism. Finally, a detector detects electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sample, passed through the beam splitter and leaving the latter on a measurement surface. The invention further relates to a dichroitic beam splitter, for use in said arrangement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An arrangement for examining a sample which can be excited by means of electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a first dichroic beam splitter comprising a first prism and a second prism connected to one another on base surfaces thereof, and a dichroic layer arranged between the base surfaces of the first and second prisms, wherein an entry surface of the first prism and the dichroic layer form an angle (β) in the range from 10° to <40°; a light source for providing electromagnetic radiation suitable for excitation of the sample, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is coupled into the entry surface of the first prism and wherein at least a part of the electromagnetic radiation from the light source is reflected on the dichroic layer in the direction of the sample, which is positioned downstream of an exit surface of the first prism; and a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sample upon impinging of the at least part of the electromagnetic radiation, the emitted electromagnetic radiation passing through the first dichroic beam splitter without being reflected and onto a measurement surface of the second prism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the measurement surface of the second prism is arranged in parallel opposite of the exit surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The arrangement according to claim 1 further comprising at least one further optical component attached to an outer surface of the first dichroic beam splitter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the optical component is selected from the group consisting of: a lens, a filter, an absorber, a beam deflecting unit, or a second dichroic beam splitter which corresponds in its construction to the first dichroic beam splitter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein a beam deflecting unit is attached to the exit surface and has at least one first optical surface which deflects the radiation reflected at the dichroic layer and exiting at the exit surface to an optical fiber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the first optical surface has a toric shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the beam deflecting unit deflects the electromagnetic radiation by 90°. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the beam deflecting unit consists of glass or plastic. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a lens is attached to the exit surface of the first prism, wherein said lens couples radiation reflected at the dichroic layer into an optical fiber, and wherein the sample is positioned at a remote end of the optical fiber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the reflected partial electromagnetic radiation is reflected on the dichroic layer in the direction of an exit surface of the first prism and a transmitted partial radiation is transmitted through the dichroic layer. ### Claim 11 A dichroic beam splitter, comprising: a first prism and a second prism which are connected to one another on base surfaces thereof, and a dichroic layer arranged between the base surfaces of the first prism and the second prism, wherein an entry surface of the first prism, on which radiation is incident, and the dichroic layer form forms-an angle (β) in the range of 25° to 35° wherein an exit surface of the first prism and the dichroic layer form an angle (γ) in the range of 25° to 35°, so that a reflected partial radiation is reflected on the dichroic layer in the direction of the exit surface of the first prism toward a sample, and a transmitted partial radiation emitted by the sample is transmitted through the dichroic layer-and wherein the beam splitter has a base surface in the form of a regular hexagon. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The dichroic beam splitter according to claim 11, wherein the dichroic layer consists of dielectric material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The dichroic beam splitter according to claim 11, wherein the first prism and the second prism are of the same type. ### Claim 14 An arrangement for examining a sample which can be excited by means of electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a first dichroic beam splitter comprising a first prism and a second prism connected to one another on base surfaces thereof, and a first dichroic layer arranged between the base surfaces of the first and second prisms, wherein an entry surface of the first prism forms an angle (β) in the range from 10° to <40° with the first dichroic layer; a second dichroic beam splitter comprising a third prism and a fourth prism connected to one another on base surfaces thereof, and a second dichroic layer arranged between the base surfaces of the third and fourth prisms, wherein an entry surface of the third prism forms an angle (β) in the range from 10° to <40° with the second dichroic layer; a light source for providing electromagnetic radiation suitable for excitation of the sample, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is coupled into the entry surface of the first prism and wherein at least a part of the electromagnetic radiation from the light source is reflected on the first dichroic layer in the direction of the sample, which is positioned downstream of an exit surface of the first prism; and a first detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sample, the emitted radiation passing through the first dichroic beam splitter, onto a measurement surface of the second prism, impinging upon the second dichoric layer, and at least a portion of the emitted radiation is transmitted through the second dichroic layer to the detector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The arrangement according to claim 14, wherein a part of the emitted radiation that impinges on the second dichroic layer is reflected to a second detector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the reflected part of the emitted radiation reaches the second detector through a filter.