Patent ID: 7492466
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
1. An optical image measuring apparatus, comprising: dividing means for dividing a light beam outputted from a low-coherent light source into signal light propagating to an object to be measured and reference light propagating to a reference object, frequency shifting means for shifting a frequency of the signal light and a frequency of the reference light relative to each other, changing means for changing a length of an optical path of the reference light, superimposing means for superimposing the signal light propagating through the object to be measured and the reference light propagating through the reference object on each other to produce interference light including a beat frequency based on an amount of the frequency shift, detecting means for outputting a detection signal based on the produced interference light, and image forming means for forming a tomographic image of the object to be measured which is orthogonal to a propagating direction of the signal light based on the outputted detection signal, wherein the optical image measuring apparatus further comprises: acquiring means for producing auxiliary interference light from light propagating through the object to be measured, and for acquiring measurement depths in the propagating direction of the signal light which are related to the formed tomographic images of the object to be measured, and wherein said acquiring means further comprises: wavelength component separating means for separating a plurality of wavelength components from the produced auxiliary interference light; auxiliary detection means for receiving the plurality of separated wavelength components and outputting an auxiliary detection signal; and measurement depth calculating means for calculating the measurement depth related to the tomographic image based on the detected auxiliary detection signal.