Lens assembly for super-resolution microscopy
AssigneeUnited Kingdom Research and Innovation
InventorsSam Astbury, Martin Tolley, Christopher Spindloe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lens assembly, for use in microscopy imaging of a sample in a cryogenic environment, is described. A solid immersion lens which has a planar surface for accepting a sample for imaging is mounted within an aperture provided through the plane of a planar mount. The microscopy imaging may include using super-resolution optical imaging techniques such as single molecule localisation techniques.
Claims26
A lens assembly for use in microscopy imaging of a sample in a cryogenic environment, the lens assembly comprising:
- a planar mount comprising an aperture through a plane of the mount;
- and
- a solid immersion lens comprising a planar surface for accepting the sample for imaging,
- the solid immersion lens being mounted within the aperture.
The lens assembly of 1 wherein the solid immersion lens extends from the aperture in both directions away from the plane of the mount.
A method of mounting a solid immersion lens for use in microscopy imaging of a sample in a cryogenic environment, the solid immersion lens being provided with a planar surface for accepting the sample for imaging, the method comprising:
- providing a planar mount comprising an aperture through a plane of the mount;
- and
- mounting the solid immersion lens within the aperture such that a circumferential channel separates the solid immersion lens and the planar mount, and such that the solid immersion lens extends from the aperture in both directions away from the plane of the mount.
A lens assembly for cryogenic super-resolution microscopy, comprising:
- a mount having an aperture;
- and
- a solid immersion lens secured within the aperture of the mount,
- wherein the mount comprises a plurality of nibs extending within the aperture towards the solid immersion lens to thereby assist in accurate location of the solid immersion lens within the aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.