Patent ID: 7180581
Filing Date: 2007-02-20
Classification: G01F,G01N,G01P

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for illuminating a fluid having dispersed therein a multiplicity of luminescent tracer molecules, said apparatus comprising: light emission means, said light emission means including a laser device for emitting a light beam; a beam expander for expanding said emitted light beam, said beam expander including first refractive optics, said first refractive optics being characterized by a first geometric optical axis; a mask device for masking said expanded light beam; and projection means for projecting said masked light beam into a fluid so as to form an image of said pattern in said fluid, said projection means including second refractive optics, said second refractive optics being characterized by a second geometric optical axis; said first geometric optical axis and said second geometric optical axis being coincident, said first geometric optical axis and said second geometric optical axis thereby defining a common geometric optical axis; said laser device, said mask device and said second refractive optics being arranged so as to be at least approximately aligned along said common geometric optical axis; said laser device being capable of a emitting a laser beam along said common geometric optical axis; wherein, in association with said projected image, some said tracer molecules luminesce in conformance with said pattern.