Patent ID: 6351325
Filing Date: 2002-02-26
Classification: G02B,Y10S

Abstract:
An angled-dual-axis confocal scanning system comprising:a) an angled-dual-axis confocal head comprising: i) a first optical fiber having first and second ends, for providing an illumination beam at said first end; ii) a second optical fiber having first and second ends; and iii) an angled-dual-axis focusing means for focusing said illumination beam to an illumination focal volume along an illumination axis within an object and for receiving an observation beam emanated from an observation focal volume along an observation axis within said object such that said observation beam is focused onto said first end of said second optical fiber; wherein said illumination axis and said observation axis intersect at an angle within said object, such that said illumination focal volume and said observation focal volume intersect optimally at a confocal overlapping volume; and b) a vertical scanning unit comprising: i) a vertical translation means mechanically coupled to said angled-dual-axis confocal head; and ii) a compensation means for ensuring said optimal intersection of said illumination focal volume and said observation focal volume; wherein said vertical translation means is capable of causing said angled-dual-axis confocal head to move relative to said object along a vertical direction, such that said confocal overlapping volume deepens progressively into said object, thereby producing a vertical scan.