Patent · US Active

Confocal imaging apparatus with curved focal surface

US9675430B2 · kind B2 · utility

140Cited by
5References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 13, 2015
Grant dateJun 13, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 1, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B27/0025
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A confocal imaging apparatus includes an illumination module to generate an array of light beams. Focusing optics perform confocal focusing of an array of light beams onto a non-flat focal surface and direct the array of light beams toward a three dimensional object to be imaged. A translation mechanism adjusts a location of at least one lens to displace the non-flat focal surface along an imaging axis. A detector measures intensities of an array of returning light beams that are reflected off of the three dimensional object and directed back through the focusing optics. Intensities of the array of returning light beams are measured for locations of the at least one lens for determination of positions on the imaging axis of points of the three dimensional object. Detected positions of one or more points are adjusted to compensate for the non-flat focal surface.

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