Patent ID: 7554665
Filing Date: 2009-06-30
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for characterizing optical appearance of a sample surface, said apparatus comprising: an upper housing having a first aperture at a central position on a top surface, a second aperture formed at a position offset from said first aperture, and a third aperture formed at a bottom position of said upper housing and perpendicular to said first aperture, said upper housing having an inside surface configured as a projection screen; a base configured and positioned to support said upper housing, said base and upper housing forming an enclosed volume, and said base having an opening being positioned opposite said first aperture, so that when said sample surface is positioned against an outside surface of said base at least a portion of said sample surface is visible through said first aperture and said opening; a secondary mirror disposed on an inside surface of said base and optically communicating with said second aperture a first radiation beam produced by said radiation source, said first radiation beam being directed along a first optical path originating at said radiation source, passing through said first aperture, said opening and terminating at said sample surface at an incident angle; an optical imaging device, positioned outside said enclosed volume and in optical communication with said second aperture and said secondary mirror; and a second radiation beam emitted by said radiation source simultaneous to emission of said first radiation beam, said second radiation beam being directed along a second optical path originating at said radiation source, entering said enclosed volume through said third aperture, redirecting through said second aperture, and terminating at said optical imaging device.