Systems and methods for suppressing coherent structured illumination artifacts
US8848200B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B21/004
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for suppressing speckle and/or diffraction artifacts in coherent structured illumination sensing systems. A coherent radiation pattern forms an interference pattern at an illumination image plane and illuminates an object. Radiation scattered or otherwise emitted by the object is detected to produce a signal, which is integrated in time. Coherent artifact suppression is attained by using a spatial modulator, such as an acousto-optic device, to vary a phase gradient at the illumination image plane during the signal integration time. Various embodiments are provided for purposes including without limitation: preserving the depth of field of the coherent illumination; using the same acousto-optic device for pattern generation and coherent artifact suppression; electronically controlling the effective spatial coherence of the illumination system; and reducing errors due to coherent artifacts in a laser-based three dimensional imaging system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.