Patent ID: 6243189
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A scanning assembly, to be used in a confocal scanning laser microscope, for imparting a one dimensional scan to a collimated incoming beam of laser light, comprising:a plane mirror rotatable about an axis in the plane of said plane mirror; and an optical element; andfirst and second telescope eyepieces, disposed optically between said plane mirror and said optical element to define an afocal assembly for transferring light reflected off said plane mirror onto said optical element;said first and second telescope eyepieces are identical;said first and second telescope eyepieces arranged back to back such that the back focal points of said first and second telescope eyepieces are coincident, the center of said plane mirror coincident with the front focal point of said first telescope eyepiece, the first focal point of said optical element coincident with the front focal point of said second telescope eyepiece;whereby said first and second telescope eyepieces combine to provide optimal optical performance, said collimated incoming beam of laser light suffering minimal distortion after traversing said scanning assembly.