Light scanning device and confocal optical device using the same
US6172789A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B21/0072
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light scanning type confocal optical device comprises a light source section, a light transmitting section, a light scanning section, and a processing section. The scanning section includes a movable mirror, a fixed mirror and a converging lens. The movable mirror has an opening at the center, and is supported to be swingable about at least one axis. The fixed mirror is fixedly supported by an optically transparent plate. Reflection surfaces of the movable and fixed mirrors are located opposed to each other. The transmitting section includes an optical fiber having a core, whose end face substantially functions as a confocal pinhole. The light from the end face of the core is, upon passing through the opening, reflected by the fixed mirror toward the movable mirror. The light from the fixed mirror is then reflected by the movable mirror, and is converged by the converging lens onto an object surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.