Diffractometer
AssigneeVickers, Incorporated
InventorFrancis H. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A diffractometer comprises means for illuminating a specimen plane and a lens for converging rays diffracted from the specimen plane. In order that existing optical apparatus may readily be adapted for use as a diffractometer, the illuminating means (12a, 12b, 13, 14) is arranged to illuminate the specimen plane (0--O') at an acute angle, and a positive lens (15) having its principal axis normal to the specimen plane (0-0') is arranged to converge rays diffracted normally from the specimen plane. The invention is particularly applicable to converting microscopes for use as diffractometers, which then are suitable for use in monitoring respirable air-borne fibers.
Claims26
A diffractometer comprising means for illuminating a specimen plane at an acute angle thereto, the axis of the or each beam of illuminating light rays lying substantially in a common plane, and a positive lens having its principal axis substantially normal to the specimen plane, for converging rays diffracted substantially normally from the specimen plane.
A method of detecting a light-diffracting specimen contained in a specimen plane, the method comprising the steps of illuminating the specimen at an acute angle to the specimen plane, the axis of the or each beam of illuminating light rays lying substantially in a common plane, and detecting light diffracted by the specimen normal to the specimen plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.