Patent · US Expired

Illumination unit for an optical apparatus

US6028660A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
3References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 25, 1996
Grant dateFeb 22, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 25, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03F7/7085
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Illumination unit (2) for an optical system, including an illumination system (1) which comprises, in this order, a radiation source (3) and a first optical integrator (11). The illumination unit (2) further comprises a detection system (45) including a radiation-sensitive detector (47). The illumination system (1) comprises a second optical integrator (13). The two integrators (11, 13) enclose a prism system (15) comprising at least one prism (17). The prism system (15) has a coupling-out surface via which light can be coupled out of the illumination system (1), and an exit surface via which light can be coupled out of the prism system (15), without the intensity in the main light path being essentially influenced. The detection system (45) is arranged proximate to the exit surface of the prism system (15) and comprises light-integrating means.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.