Patent · US Active

Imaging system with low coherence light source

US7667850B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
3References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 1, 2007
Grant dateFeb 23, 2010
Priority date—
Expiry dateJun 13, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01B9/0209
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An imaging system uses a low coherence light source to image objects at a relatively far distance (at least 10 cm) and/or of a relatively large size (having a dimension of at least 10 cm). An imaging plane is located such that its image path is substantially equal to a reference path that the light follows within the imaging device. The imaging plane has a thickness of about the coherence length of the light. Only light returning from the imaging plane forms part of the image. Light returning on other paths is effectively negated due to a lack of coherence. The imaging plane may be a fixed distance from the imaging system. Alternatively, the imaging plane may be at a variable distance from the imaging system, with the reference path having a changeable length.

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