Patent ID: 7161736
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: B29C,B29D,G02B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for imaging an object, the method comprising: guiding the object along a passage defined by an integrally molded-together solid immersion lens structure, the solid immersion lens structure defining a body portion, in which the passage is defined, and a solid immersion lens portion having a numerical aperture greater than unity, the solid immersion lens portion being optically aligned with a position in the passage; positioning the object in the passage at the position which is optically aligned with the solid immersion lens portion so that the object is within a field of view extending through the solid immersion lens portion; photoexciting the object in the passage to induce a photophysical reaction; and viewing the object in the passage through the solid immersion lens portion while the object is at the position in the passage which is optically aligned with the solid immersion lens portion.