Patent ID: 8587781
Filing Date: 2013-11-19
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
1. A method of viewing and investigating a sample (SAM) comprising: a) providing a sample viewing and investigation system comprising a sequence of elements: and further comprising additional elements: such that in use a sample can be investigated by causing a beam (B) of electromagnetic radiation from said source (LS) to pass through said hole (H) in said aperture (AP) plate (P) and said first focuser and become focused, interact with a sample (SAM) on said sample supporting stage (STG), pass through said second focuser (FL such that, in use, positioning of the beam director (PRI) in combination with the camera-display system (CCD) for detecting room ambient light or light from the light emitting diodes (LED's) which scatter from the side of said aperture (AP) plate (P) that faces toward the sample (SAM), allows visual positioning of the sample (SAM) with respect to where the focused beam (B) of sample investigating electromagnetic radiation interacts therewith; said method further comprising: b) while viewing said sample by causing said beam director (PRI) to be positioned between said second focuser and said data detector (DET), while the room ambient light and/or light emitting diodes (LED's) is/are applied to cause camera-display system (CCD) detectable wavelength range light to scatter off the side of said aperture (AP) plate (P) that faces the sample (SAM) and proceed toward, and interact with said sample (SAM), and via said beam director (PRI), enter the camera-display system (CCD) to form a visible display, and moving the sample (SAM) into a desired position; causing said source (LS) of a beam (B) of sample investigating electromagnetic radiation to direct an electromagnetic beam (B) through said hole (H) in the aperture (AP) plate (P) and said first focuser (FL wherein said electromagnetic beam (B) and said wavelength detectable range light which scatters from the side of said aperture (AP) plate (P) that faces toward the sample (SAM) are substantially co-linear upon emerging from the side of said aperture (AP) plate (P) that faces toward the sample (SAM); and c) removing the beam director (PRI) from its position between said second focuser (FL