Scanning method for uniform, normal-incidence imaging of spherical surface with a single beam
US10517477B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03B42/00
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and systems for single beam scanning capable of imaging the surface of a spherical body of arbitrary radius of curvature are provided. The spherical imaging methods and systems utilize one or more off-axis parabolic (OAP) mirror to perform a geometrical transformation of the spherical surface to a flat rectilinear imaging coordinate grid such that the single scanning beam maintains a normal incidence across the curved field of view of the spherical body. The imaging methods and systems project the spherical surface to a Cartesian plane and then the remapped surface is rapidly imaged by raster-scanning an illumination beam in the rectangular coordinate such that the OAP mirror produces a rectilinear image of the target. The imaging of the spherical surface is accomplished while maintaining the target, illumination source, and detector in a stationary position. The imaging systems and methods may utilize a single source and a single detector, and may incorporate a THz illumination source. The beam scanning imaging systems and methods may be applied to corneal tissue imaging.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.