Orthogonal light beam splitting for microscopes

摘要

A system comprises first and second beamsplitter modules aligned along an alignment line. In certain embodiments, each beamsplitter module can split a beam traveling along a first optical path into a first split beam and a second split beam within a spectral range. Each beamsplitter module can transmit the first split beam along the first optical path and direct the second split beam along a second optical path substantially orthogonal to the first optical path and to the alignment line. In certain embodiments, each beamsplitter module can receive a first beam traveling along a first optical path and a second beam traveling along a second optical path that is substantially orthogonal to the first optical path and to the alignment line. Each beamsplitter module can combine the second beam with the first beam to yield a combined beam and transmit the combined beam along the first optical path.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
an alpha beamsplitter set comprising a first alpha beamsplitter module and a second alpha beamsplitter module aligned with the first alpha beamsplitter module along an alpha alignment line,
the first alpha beamsplitter module configured to:
receive a first alpha beam traveling along a first optical path; andsplit the first alpha beam into a first output beam transmitted along the first optical path and an alpha split beam directed substantially parallel to the alpha alignment line; andthe second alpha beamsplitter module configured to:
receive a second alpha beam traveling along a second optical path;receive a third alpha beam traveling along a third alpha optical path that is substantially parallel to the alpha alignment line; andtransmit the second alpha beam and the third alpha beam as a second output beam along the second optical path; and a beta beamsplitter set comprising a first beta beamsplitter module and a second beta beamsplitter module aligned with the first beta beamsplitter module along a beta alignment line, each beta beamsplitter module configured to:
receive the first output beam or the second output beam;split the received output beam into a first beta split beam and a second beta split beam;transmit the first beta split beam along the optical path of the received output beam; anddirect the second beta split beam along a beta optical path substantially orthogonal to a plane defined by the beta alignment line and the optical path of the received output beam.