Optical arrangement and method for controlling and influencing a light ray
AssigneeLeica Microsystems CMS GmbH
InventorsHolger Birk, Volker Seyfried
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical arrangement and a related method for operating this optical arrangement are suggested, particularly in microscopes, for use as at least one of a main beam splitter and a beam combiner. One or more light beams can be coupled into the arrangement and at least one of the light beams that were coupled in can be coupled out again after having passed through the optical arrangement. In the path of the coupled in light beams at least one controllable microstructured element is provided, allowing to switch beam paths within the optical arrangement. This allows controlling or influencing the one or more light beams that are coupled out.
Claims25
Optical arrangement for use as at least one of a main beam splitter and a beam combiner wherein one or more light beams can be coupled into the arrangement and at least one of the light beams that were coupled in can be coupled out again after having passed through the optical arrangement wherein the couple in light beams at least one controllable microstructured element is provided, allowing to switch the beam paths within the optical arrangement, resulting in at least one of a controlling and influencing of one or more light beams that are coupled out.
Method of controlling and influencing a light beam by means of an optical arrangement, comprising the method steps of:
- coupling in one or more light beams into the optical arrangement,
- coupling out at least one of the coupled in light beams from the optical arrangement,
- switching light beam paths by means of a microstructured element provided in the coupled in light beams in the optical arrangement, and
- coupling out one or more chosen ones of the coupled in light beams or chromatic portions of the spectrum thereof in a defined manner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.