Patent ID: 7071477
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: A45D,G01N,G03B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for irradiating a selected region of a target material in order to excite members of an excitable species contained within said selected region to a particular state of excitation, said apparatus having a plane of focus and comprising: a first source of radiation for generating a first radiation adapted to excite said members to said particular state of excitation; means for directing said first radiation to said selected region; a second source of radiation for generating a second radiation adapted to reduce the ratio of excited members in said particular state of excitation to members not in said particular state of excitation at said selected region; means for shaping said second radiation into a pattern with a minimum portion, said means for shaping said second radiation having means for generating at least two beam portions of said second radiation that arrive at said plane of focus substantially out-of-phase; and means for applying said second radiation having said minimum portion to at least a portion of said selected region, thereby increasing the resolution of the apparatus.