Patent ID: 7864415
Filing Date: 2011-01-04
Classification: G02B,G21K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for implementing an enhanced phase contrast microscope comprising: an illumination source; a specimen illuminated by the illumination source; a focusing vortex lens used for an objective lens for the phase contrast microscope; said focusing vortex lens spaced a first set distance from the specimen; said focusing vortex lens defined by a single optical element diffractive spiral zone plate (SZP) lens; said diffractive spiral zone plate (SZP) lens having a predefined radius and phase-shifting spiral zones with a predefined finest zone width; an x-ray sensitive camera spaced a second predefined distance from said SZP lens; said first set distance and said second predefined distance being selectively provided for a focal condition based upon said predefined radius and said predefined finest zone width of said SZP lens; said x-ray sensitive camera includes a charge coupled device (CCD) camera; said SZP lens focusing and imparting a helical phase to incident illumination to image the specimen spiral phase contrast; said helical phase providing specimen imaging with azimuth-independent phase contrast without using additional optics in the phase contrast microscope; and said SZP lens including diametrically opposite regions having opposite phase canceling on-axis, and said SZP lens imaging off-axis of the specimen onto said charge coupled device (CCD) camera; and said CCD camera detecting the specimen image.