We have constructed a miniature confocal optical microscope for monochromatic imaging that uses single-mode fiber illumination and a two-phase off-axis zone plate objective lens. The scanning mechanism consists of two micromachined silicon torsional scanning mirrors with orthogonal axes of rotation. The objective lens is made of fused silica and has a N.A. of 0.24 at lambda = 0.6328 microm, with a 1.0-mm working distance. The device is side looking, with die dimensions of 1.2 mm x 2.5 mm x 6.5 mm. We have measured 1.0-microm resolution over a 100-microm field of view.
We describe a miniature scanning confocal optical microscope constructed from components micromachined using silicon and fused silica. The design, fabrication, and characterization of the components of the microscope as well as the assembly of the system are described. Sample images acquired using the instrument are also presented. [223]
This paper describes a handheld laser scanning confocal microscope for skin microscopy. Beam scanning is accomplished with an electromagnetic MEMS bi-axial micromirror developed for pico projector applications, providing 800x600 (SVGA) resolution at 56 frames per second. The design uses commercial objective lenses with an optional hemisphere front lens, operating with a range of numerical aperture from NA=0.35 to NA=1.1 and corresponding diagonal field of view ranging from 653 μm to 216 μm. Using NA=1.1 and a laser wavelength of 830 nm we measured the axial response to be 1.14 μm full width at half maximum, with a corresponding 10%-90% lateral edge response of 0.39 μm. Image examples showing both epidermal and dermal features including capillary blood flow are provided. These images represent the highest resolution and frame rate yet achieved for tissue imaging with a MEMS bi-axial scan mirror.
We describe how the exploration of the Martian environment would be considerably enhanced through the use of Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy is particularly suited for both mineralogical analysis of Martian rock and soil and for the detection of fossilised biota from former Martian microorganisms. We outline astrobiologically relevant features of the Martian environment and issues related to the detection of biotic residues. We further discuss the possibility of the emergence of photosynthetic bacteria on early Mars which may have left fossil evidence. We describe how Raman spectroscopy may be deployed for both astrobiological and mineralogical investigation, particularly in search of pigmented biomolecules, and describe the requirements for a spaceflight-qualified version of a Raman spectrometer for deployment on Mars.
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