Patent · US Expired

System and method for the microscopic generation of object images

US6545265B1 · kind B1 · utility

29Cited by
1References
46Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 14, 2000
Grant dateApr 8, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 14, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B21/0072
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method is disclosed for mixing pairs of confocal images and different arrangements for fast generation of parallel confocal images and the combination thereof in real time. The method is used for improving contrast and resolution in confocal images. The suggested arrangements point to some possibilities for a meaningful application of the method for image mixing in parallel confocal single-beam or double-beam methods for the generation of highly resolved images in real time for a wide variety of different applications, especially also for material inspection. By combining at least two confocal images, a resolution of the fine structure of the object is achieved in the mixed image. Contrast, lateral resolution and depth resolution are improved in the mixed image of the object to be examined, which can also be a phase object. Further, the method permits the generation of very highly resolved three-dimensional digital images of optical objects to be examined.

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