Patent ID: 7460240
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: B82Y,G01N,G01Q,G03H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting deformation in a plurality of objects, comprising: a first light source comprising a laser apparatus for emitting a laser beam which applies an optically generated force to each of the objects; a second light source which is a low-coherence light source and which provides wide-field illumination of the objects; a support mechanism to support the plurality of objects, the objects which are illuminated by said low-coherence light source to form images of the objects; a Fourier lens for Fourier transforming said images of the objects disposed on the support mechanism after illumination from the low-coherence light source; a spatial light modulator which receives the images of the objects from the Fourier lens and phase shifts said images in a predetermined manner; and a first imaging mechanism which detects changes in optical path lengths of the objects based on said phase shifts due to said optically generated forces, and which yields a measurement of optical deformability thereof.