Title :
The light microscopy module: an autonomous, multifunction, space-borne microscope
Author :
Resnick, A. ; Eustace, J.
Author_Institution :
Fed. Data Corp., Brook Park, OH, USA
Abstract :
Summary form only given. A microscope has been developed for use on the International Space Station (ISS) to perform materials research in a microgravity environment. Constraints on astronaut crew time allotted to various experiments on the ISS forces the microscope to operate autonomously. Currently, the microscope offers the following imaging techniques: brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast, and differential interference contrast. In addition, spectrophotometry interferometry, confocal microscopy, and laser tweezers capabilities are being added to the microscope. KC-135 reduced gravity flight tests have been performed on a few critical subsystems.
Keywords :
optical microscopes; space vehicles; zero gravity experiments; International Space Station; KC-135 reduced gravity flight tests; astronaut crew time; autonomous multifunction space-borne microscope; brightfield imaging; confocal microscopy; critical subsystems; darkfield imaging; differential interference contrast; imaging techniques; interferometry; laser tweezers capabilities; light microscopy module; materials research; microgravity environment; phase contrast; reduced gravity flight tests; spectrophotometry; Bandwidth; Glass; Laser excitation; Microscopy; Optical amplifiers; Optical pulse generation; Optical pulses; Pulse amplifiers; Pulse compression methods; Pump lasers;
Conference_Titel :
Lasers and Electro-Optics, 2001. CLEO '01. Technical Digest. Summaries of papers presented at the Conference on
Conference_Location :
Baltimore, MD, USA
Print_ISBN :
1-55752-662-1
DOI :
10.1109/CLEO.2001.947812
