Lenses and uses, including microscopes

Abstract

A portable single lens microscope that provides structure between the eye and the microscope slide, preferably including a single lens having an aperture optimized to attain the best image resolution, preferably including a focus mechanism, preferably including a slide holding and moving mechanism, and preferably including a slide position locking mechanism, or any combination of these structures and mechanisms. Methods are disclosed for determining an optimum aperture size for a single lens microscope(and other uses) including a lens of any type, and methods are disclosed for designing a single lens microscope lens system that provides superior image quality. A single lens microscope according to the present invention can provide substantial and unexpected imaging benefits over previous single lens microscopes and compound microscopes.

1 - 55 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       56 . A method for providing an optimized aperture of a single lens, comprising: 
 (a) determining the geometrical optics resolution limits of the lens;    (b) determining the diffractive resolution limits of the lens; and    (c) determining a range in which the geometrical optics resolution limits and the diffractive resolution limits meet in order to provide an optimum aperture size.    
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the optimizing an aperture of a single lens is performed using computer software.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the diffractive resolution limit of the lens is the diffractive Rayleigh resolution limit.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the determining the diffractive resolution limits of the lens comprises performing a Huygen's point spread function analysis to determine the Strehl ratio of the image.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the range in which the geometrical optics resolution limits and the diffractive resolution limits are substantially equal comprises a Strehl ratio of about 0.8.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the aperture of the single lens has an aperture size within the range provides a resolution limit within five percent of the optimal resolution limit of the lens.  
   
   
       62 . A method for providing an optimized lens aperture, comprising: 
 (a) providing a lens;    (b) determining a first size range of an aperture wherein light entering or exiting the lens would provide optimized image resolution;    (c) determining a second size range of the aperture wherein the refractive aberration of the lens is minimal in order to compensate for minor deviations in the lens; and    (d) determining a third range within the first and second size ranges wherein a quality image is produced, the range defining an optimized lens aperture.    
   
   
       63 . A process for optimizing the aperture of a single lens by minimizing the aggregate impairment of image resolution contributed by refractive aberrations and aperture diffraction, comprising: 
 (a) selecting an initial aperture size to provide an apertured lens;    (b) determining the numerical aperture of the apertured lens;    (c) determining the diffractive resolution limits for the apertured lens;    (d) determining the geometrical optics resolution limits of the apertured lens;    (e) if the diffractive resolution limit is smaller than the geometrical optics resolution limit, decreasing the size of the aperture and repeating (b)-(e);    (f) if the geometrical optics resolution limit is smaller than the diffractive resolution limit, increase the size of the aperture and repeating (b)-(e);    wherein the aperture is optimized when the diffractive resolution limit and the geometrical optics resolution limit are substantially equal.    
   
   
       64 . The process of  claim 63 , wherein the determining the diffractive resolution limit for the apertured lens comprises performing a Huygen's point spread function analysis to determine the Strehl ratio of the image.  
   
   
       65 . The process of  claim 64 , wherein (e)-(f) further comprise: 
 (e) if the Strehl ratio is less than 0.8 then (i) the lens aperture size is reduced, (ii) the lens is optimized again to attain best focus, and (iii) the Huygen's point spread function analysis is repeated;    (f) if Strehl ratio is greater than 0.8 then (i) the lens aperture size is increased, (ii) the lens is optimized to attain best focus, and (iii) the Huygen's point spread function analysis is repeated;    wherein the aperture is optimized when the Strehl ratio is equal to 0.8.    
   
   
       66 . The process of  claim 63. , wherein there is an inverse relationship between the lens size and the optimized numerical aperture.  
   
   
       67 . A single lens resolution optimization process, comprising: 
 (a) choosing an initial aperture size;    (b) creating an optical merit function;    (c) setting the focal distance of the lens to be an optimized variable;    (d) bringing the lens to focus;    (e) performing a near-field point spread function analysis to determine the Strehl ratio;    (f) if the Strehl ratio is less than 0.8, reducing the lens aperture size and repeating (c)-(g);    (g) if the Strehl ratio is greater than 0.8, increasing the lens aperture size and repeating (c)-(g);    wherein when the Strehl ratio equals 0.8, the aperture size has been optimized to attain a quality image resolution.    
   
   
       68 . The single lens resolution optimization process of  claim 67  performed with the aid of optical analysis computer software.  
   
   
       69 . The single lens resolution optimization process of  claim 67  where (e) is determined using Huygen's point spread function.  
   
   
       70 . A process for designing decentration error tolerant aspheric lenses having lens surfaces, comprising: 
 (a) entering initial lens design criteria into lens design computer software;    (b) adding a coordinate break between the lens surfaces to model the decentration expected from manufacturing tolerance limits;    (c) creating a merit function that includes X and Y effective focal lengths with weighting factors sufficiently large to preserve their desired values;    (d) stepwise optimizing the lens surfaces even asphere function coefficients; and    (e) applying aperture optimization methods to attain best image resolution.    
   
   
       71 . The process of  claim 70  wherein the lens design computer software is Zemax.  
   
   
       72 . The process of  claim 70 , further comprising: 
 (f) optimizing the lens across all surface parameters simultaneously until no substantial improvement in performance is attained; and    (g) again applying aperture optimization methods to attain best image resolution.    
   
   
       73 . The process of  claim 72 , wherein the optimizing the lens across all surface parameters comprises using Hammer Optimization or Global Optimization or both.  
   
   
       74 . The process of  claim 70 , wherein the aperture optimization methods comprise: 
 (a) determining the geometrical optics resolution limits of the lens;    (b) determining the diffractive resolution limits of the lens; and    (c) determining a range in which the geometrical optics resolution limits and the diffractive resolution limits are substantially equal in order to provide an optimum aperture size.    
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising optimizing diffractive surface parameters.  
   
   
       76 - 77 . (Cancelled)