Appeal No. 2003-0735
Application 09/238,859
been withdrawn. Accordingly, only the Examiner’s 35 U.S.C.
§ 103(a) rejection of claims 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 is before us on
appeal.
The claimed invention relates to a laser scanning microscope
which includes an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) in the
laser input-coupling beam path. Further associated with the AOTF
is a temperature gauge which is connected to a cooling and
heating device by an electronic controller which functions to
maintain the temperature of the AOTF and its environment at a
constant value.
Representative claim 2 is reproduced as follows:
2. In a laser scanning microscope with an AOTF (acousto-
optic tunable filter) in the laser input-coupling beam path,
an improvement comprising:
a temperature gauge being provided in one of the
environment of the AOTF and the vicinity thereof and
connected therewith;
means for one of cooling and heating of the AOTF and
its environment; and
wherein said means for one of heating and cooling
includes regulation of said AOTF and its environment to a
constant temperature value.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art reference:1
Kemeny et al. (Kemeny) 5,039,855 Aug. 13, 1991
1 In addition, the Examiner relies on the admitted prior art at pages 1
and 2 of Appellants’ specification.
2
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