Autofocus functionality in optical sample analysis.
AssigneeIllumina, Inc.
InventorsSimon Prince, Danilo Condello, Vincent Hsieh, Krysada Phounsiri, John O'Shaughnessy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method comprises: directing, using an objective and a first reflective surface, first autofocus light toward a sensor, the first autofocus light reflected from a first surface of a substrate; preventing second autofocus light from reaching the sensor, the second autofocus light reflected from a second surface of the substrate; and directing, using the objective and a second reflective surface, emission light toward the sensor, the emission light originating from a sample at the substrate.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- directing, using an objective and a first reflective surface, first autofocus light toward a sensor, the first autofocus light reflected from a first surface of a substrate;
- preventing second autofocus light from reaching the sensor, the second autofocus light reflected from a second surface of the substrate;
- and
- directing, using the objective and a second reflective surface, emission light toward the sensor, the emission light originating from a sample at the substrate.
A method comprising:
- forming left autofocus light and right autofocus light that diverge at a predetermined angle from each other;
- directing the left autofocus light and the right autofocus light through an objective toward a first surface of a substrate;
- and
- after reflection off the first surface, directing at least a first part of the left autofocus light and at least a first part of the right autofocus light toward a sensor, wherein a predefined separation between the first part of the left autofocus light and the first part of the right autofocus light at the sensor indicates that the substrate is in focus of the objective.
A structured illumination microscopy assembly comprising:
- a light source providing first light;
- an anamorphic prism to provide second light by transforming the first light;
- a first grating;
- a second grating;
- and
- a rotatable mirror configured to assume a first position for redirecting the second light toward the first grating, and a second position for receiving the second light from the second grating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.