System and method for three-dimensional imaging of opaque objects using frequency diversity and an opacity constraint
US5627363A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 6, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B11/24
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for creating a three-dimensional image of an opaque object utilize frequency diverse coherent illumination in combination with an opacity constraint in performing three-dimensional phase retrieval and/or profile retrieval. An opaque object is one which exhibits only surface scattering and no volume scattering over volumes that extend beyond the desired range resolution. The system and method require only Fourier intensity information to create a three-dimensional image which avoids the difficulties associated with prior art systems and methods requiring phase information to produce similar images. Furthermore, the system and method of the present invention do not require imaging optics, precise alignment of optical components, or precise phase stability of the coherent illumination source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.