Patent ID: 6796697
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
An illumination delivery apparatus comprising:a fiber optic bundle comprised of sufficiently high-transmittance material to incur intensity losses no greater than on the order of 45%, said fiber optic bundle having an input end for receiving input light from a light source and further having an output end, said fiber optic bundle input end having an input cross-sectional profile and said fiber optic bundle output end having an output cross-sectional profile, said input and output cross-sectional profiles having any shape; a homogenizer, said homogenizer providing multiple total internal reflections of light transmitted therethrough, said homogenizer having an input end and an output end, said homogenizer input end being proximal said output end of said fiber optic bundle, said homogenizer being of sufficiently high transmittance to incur intensity losses no greater than on the order of 10%; said homogenizer having an input cross-sectional profile similar in shape and size to said output cross-sectional profile of said fiber optic bundle output end; a diffusing medium proximal said output end of said homogenizer, said diffusing medium having an input end and an output end; said fiber optic bundle, homogenizer, and diffusing medium being configured such that a portion of any input light entering said input end of said fiber optic bundle and transmitted therethrough, is additionally transmitted through said homogenizer and said diffusing medium to yield a first shaped beam output, said first shaped beam output having substantial spatial uniformity, said first shaped beam output having an intensity, said intensity being sufficient to illuminate a sample surface, said first shaped beam output having an illumination numerical aperture.