Patent ID: 6388788
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
A confocal imaging system comprising:a) a means for forming an elongated beam of electromagnetic radiation extending transverse to an optical axis along which the radiation propagates; b) a means for directing and focusing the elongated beam onto a first elongated region in a first plane where an object is located and for directing electromagnetic radiation emitted from the object onto one or more second elongated regions, wherein each second elongated region is on a different second plane conjugate to the first plane; c) in at least one of the second conjugate planes, or in a third plane conjugate to at least one of the second conjugate planes, a detection device comprising a rectangular array of detection elements on which the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the object is coincident; and d) a means for scanning the object by moving the elongated beam relative to the object or by moving the object relative to the elongated beam such that the emitted electromagnetic radiation is delivered to the rectangular array of detection elements and is continuously converted by the detection device into a plurality of electrical signals representative of the emitted electromagnetic radiation synchronously with said scanning.