Patent ID: 6399935
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A confocal optical imaging system comprising:light source means for illuminating an object to be investigated; detector means with at least one two-dimensional detector camera; and spatial light modulator means with a first and a second group of modulator elements, wherein the first group of modulator elements is adapted to illuminate the object to be investigated according to a predetermined pattern sequence of illumination spots focused to conjugate locations of the object wherein detection light from the conjugate locations forms a first image Ic at the detector means, and wherein the second group of modulator elements is adapted to collect detection light from non-conjugate locations of the object wherein the detection light from the non-conjugate locations forms a second image Inc at the detector means, wherein each element of the first group of modulator elements individually is controllable such that the pattern sequence of illumination spots is represented by a time-dependent systematically shifting grid patterns and the first image Ic is a confocal images, and the second image Inc is a difference image between a non-confocal image and the first image Ic.