Abstract:
Described is a fringe generator for an interferometric measurement system having improved fringe stability and reproducibility. The fringe generator includes a light source at a characteristic wavelength and a diffractive element to generate a pair of diffracted beams from light received from the light source. The fringe generator also includes a lens to receive the pair of diffracted beams and to image the plane of the diffractive element onto an object to be measured. The generated fringe pattern is substantially independent to a change in the position of the light source relative to the lens and a change in the characteristic wavelength of the light source. A broadband light source can be used and the resulting broadband fringe pattern is substantially independent to a change in the position of the light source relative to the lens and to a change in the spectral distribution of the broadband light source.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/871,878 filed on Jun. 18, 2004, which claimed the benefit and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/479,534 filed on Jun. 18, 2003. The entireties of the above-referenced applications are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to the field of imaging technology and, more specifically, to three-dimensional imaging methods and devices.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Measuring the characteristics of an object and generating a three dimensional representation of the object from acquired sensor data are central objectives in the field of metrology. The continuing development of various techniques to achieve these objectives is often grounded in using interferometric principles to obtain precise measurement data. In parallel with the development of fundamental imaging and metrology technologies for science and industry, refining and improving upon existing approaches represents a valuable and necessary contribution to modern day research efforts. Thus, given the wide use of interferometric approaches, it follows that a need exists for methods and devices that reduce errors in present and future interferometric based imaging and metrology applications.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing error in interferometric fringe stability and reproducibility in an interference fringe generator. In one aspect, the method for reducing error in interferometric fringe stability and reproductivity includes providing a light source, positioning a grating to receive light from the light source and positioning a projection lens having a focal length F to receive light from the grating. The projection lens projects the received light upon an object of interest positioned substantially at a distance d 1  from the lens. Typically the lens is positioned substantially at a distance d 2  from the grating. The values of d 1 , d 2 , and F are related by d 2  being approximately equal to d 1 F/(d 1 −F).  
         [0005]     Generally, the terms fringe projector and fringe generator are used interchangeably throughout the application. Such devices alone or in combination with other components cause the formation of interference fringes in space. Such fringes are typically generated or projected upon the surface of an object of interest. These devices differ from standard image projectors that do not utilize interference principles.  
         [0006]     In another aspect, the invention relates to an optical system for reducing error in interferometric fringe stability and reproducibility in an interference fringe generator. The system typically includes a light source, a grating positioned to receive light from the light source and a lens for projecting fringes having a focal length F. The lens is positioned to receive light from the grating and to project the received light upon an object of interest positioned substantially at a distance d 1  from the lens. Typically, the lens is positioned substantially at a distance d 2  from the grating. The values of d 1 , d 2 , and F are related by d 2  being approximately equal to d 1 F/(d 1 −F). In various embodiments the light source is a coherent light source such as a laser. In other embodiments an acousto-optical modulator or other diffractive element is used in lieu of a grating.  
         [0007]     In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for reducing errors in positional information obtained from a translatable grating in an interference fringe generator. The method includes positioning a translatable grating substantially defining a first plane within a fringe projector. Positioning an encoder scale defining a second plane substantially orthogonal to the first plane directly over the grating is another step in the method. The method also includes measuring the relative motion of the grating with respect to the encoder scale. In various embodiments the grating and encoder scale are manufactured on the same substrate. In various embodiments the grating and encoder scale are made from the same material. In one embodiment of the invention the encoder read-head is aligned with the optical axis of the system&#39;s projection lens.  
         [0008]     In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for reducing errors in positional information obtained from a translatable grating in an interference fringe generator. The method includes positioning a translatable grating substantially defining a first plane within a fringe projector. The method also includes positioning two encoder scales substantially parallel to the first plane at positions above and below the grating. Measuring the relative motion of the grating with respect to the encoder scales and using differential information from the relative motion of the grating with respect to the encoder scales to reduce pitch based errors are also steps in the disclosed method.  
         [0009]     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following drawings, detailed description, and claims, all of which illustrate the principles of the invention, by way of example only. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention described above will be more fully understood from the following description of various embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and emphasis instead is generally placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a portion of an interference fringe generating system in accordance with the teachings of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of an interference-fringe projector suitable for use with various aspects of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates the characteristics of a diffraction grating suitable for use with various aspects of the invention; and  
         [0014]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are schematic representations of differing measurement system configurations that illustrate various techniques and approaches for reducing measurement error in accordance with the teachings of the invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     In various metrology applications and imaging systems, interference principles form the underlying basis upon which the application or system operates. In one exemplary imaging apparatus two point sources of light are employed to produce interference fringes. Typically coherent light is used, such as for example a laser. These two point sources may derive from an original source that was previously split or otherwise modified by an arrangement of one or more optical elements, such as a diffractive element. In systems of this type, light from the two point sources is directed and manipulated such that it expands and overlaps. As a result of this interaction, controlled sinusoidal fringes, also known as accordion fringes, are produced throughout space.  
         [0016]     As the generation of these fringes is controlled, various parameters regarding the fringes as well as the apparatus and methods which produced them are known. Thus, when the fringes impinge on an object, surface profile and dimensional information about that object may be calculated after the fact. In one embodiment this is achieved by imaging the fringes, typically with a detector such as a conventional camera or CCD array, optionally changing the fringes according to a prescribed process, and finally calculating point cloud information about the object. From this it is clear that the positional stability and repeatability of the fringes is important when making high quality measurements.  
         [0017]     One factor in the design of interferometric imaging and metrology devices or processes that often results in positional stability fringe error is movement in the fringe producing light source. In part, the invention is directed to both apparatus and methods for mitigating the effects of light source angular movement that contribute to undesirable fringe pattern motion.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic representation of the fringe generating portion  100  of an imagining device. At a general level, in the embodiment shown, the fringe generating portion  100  includes a light source  105 , a diffractive element, shown as grating  110 , and a projection lens  115 . The projection lens  115  has a focal length F and the grating has a period T. Although a grating  110  is shown in this embodiment, other diffractive elements can be used instead, such as an acousto-optical modulator. The optical axis  117  of the projection lens  115  is designated by the dotted line shown. The incident angle of the system&#39;s light source  105 , shown here as a laser, with respect to the optical axis  117  of the projection lens is θ. As shown in the figure, the longitudinal separation between the grating  110  and projection lens  115  is d 2  and the distance between the projection lens and the region of measurement  120  for the object of interest is d 1 .  
         [0019]     A straightforward diffraction analysis reveals that the sinusoidal fringe irradiance profile at the object location is given by I(x) where:  
         I   ⁡     (   x   )       =       cos   2     ⁡     [         2   ⁢   π     T     ⁢     {         (     F       d   1     -   F       )     ⁢   x     -       (       d   2     -         d   1     ⁢   F         d   1     -   F         )     ⁢   θ       }       ]           
 
 It is noteworthy that as θ changes, the phase of the sinusoidal fringe pattern changes. In other words, the position of the sinusoidal fringe pattern is a finction of the incident angle of the laser beam, θ, in the system. This angular dependence of the fringe pattern can be eliminated by proper choice of the distances d 1  and d 2  for a given projection lens  115  focal length F. Thus, if the longitudinal distance between the projection lens  1   15  and the grating  110  is properly set, then any angular movement of the laser beam  105  that impinges on the grating will not result in fringe pattern motion. Eliminating errors introduced by light source  105  motion will in turn improve metrology and imaging data quality in various types of systems and devices using fringe generation based techniques. 
 
         [0020]     After making this discovery, it becomes desirable to evaluate the θ dependent term in the I(x) function discussed above. Further analysis reveals that the θ dependence will be eliminated if d 2  is set such that:  
         d   2     =         d   1     ⁢   F         d   1     -   F           
 
 Rearranging this equation, results in the following lens formula relationship:  
           1     d   1       +     1     d   2         =     1   F         
 
 Thus, this algebraic manipulation reveals that the θ dependence of the system will be eliminated if the system is set-up such that the projection lens  115  images the plane of the grating  110  out to the plane of the object being measured. Although the aspects of the invention are discussed in relation to specific illustrative embodiments, the general features of the invention relating to projection lens and grating positioning apply to all imaging systems and metrology techniques where interferometric fringes are generated upon the surface of an object of interest. 
 
         [0021]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown an embodiment of a broadband or white-light interference fringe projector. Light source  250  generates a substantially collimated beam of radiation  252  that is directed to translatable diffraction grating  254  at substantially normal incidence before passing to projection lens  266 . The aspects of the invention discussed above in relation to  FIG. 1  are directly applicable to the source  250 , grating  254 , lens  266  arrangement substantially at positions d 1  and d 2  as shown in this embodiment.  
         [0022]     It should be noted that the fringe-generation scheme depicted in  FIG. 2  can also produce fringes using narrow-band or laser illumination while incorporating the features of the invention discussed in relation to  FIG. 1 . One advantage of using diffraction grating  254  followed by lens  266  for narrow-band illumination is that fringe period d is insensitive to wavelength so that frequency drifts of the source do not substantially degrade measurements. For example, although laser diodes are relatively inexpensive and readily available sources, they have a temperature-dependent operating wavelength. However, since this technique is insensitive to temperature-dependent wavelength shifts, laser diodes can be used without measurement degradation.  
         [0023]     Again referring to  FIG. 2 , diffraction grating  254  is shown with grating period D. Input beam  252  is represented by three constituent wavelength components λ 1 , λ 2 , and λ 3  for illustration. Beam  252 , in actuality, can have arbitrary spectral composition. Diffraction grating  254  splits beam  252  into multiple diffracted beams whose diffraction orders can be represented by the integer m. For illustration purposes, only rays along the perimeter of beam  252  are shown. These diffracted beams propagate at angles θ m  with respect to the optical axis  258  according to the grating equation for normal incidence, which is given by:  
         sin   ⁢           ⁢     θ   m       =     m     λ   ⁢           ⁢   D           
 
         [0024]     In one embodiment, diffraction grating  254  is designed to maximize and equalize the diffracted efficiency for the diffraction order m=+1 diffracted beam  260  and the diffraction order m=−1 diffracted beam  262 . In other embodiments, diffraction grating  254  is designed to maximize and equalize the diffracted efficiency for any set of positive and negative beams of equal order |m|, and to minimize the energy diffracted into all other orders. Any residual undiffracted (m=0) beam  264 , will pass undeviated through diffraction grating  254  and is focused by projection lens  266  onto focal spot  268 .  
         [0025]     The spectral components λ 1 , λ 2 , and λ 3  of focal spot  268  substantially overlap. Focal spot  268 , in one embodiment, may be substantially blocked by the central obstruction  270  of optional double slit  272 . The different spectral components λ 1 , λ 2 , and λ 3  of diffracted beams  260  and  262  are focused by lens  266  onto spectral regions  274  and  276 . The distance a(λ) between the focal spot within spectral region  274  and the focal spot within spectral region  276  corresponding to a given wavelength λ is substantially proportional to the wavelength λ. Aperture stop  278  of lens  266 , in one embodiment, can be used to block undesired higher-order diffracted beams. In other embodiments the aperture stop is not used. Any undesired residual diffracted orders that pass through lens  266  can be blocked, in another embodiment, by the opaque regions of optional double slit  272 . Radiation from the two spectral regions  274  and  276  expands and overlaps as it propagates and forms an interference-fringe pattern  280 . Fringe pattern  280  has representative fringe period d at representative distance R from double slit  272 .  
         [0026]     In one embodiment, diffraction grating  254  is a thin phase grating having a square-wave phase profile whose relative phase delay alternates between 0° and 180° for a representative wavelength, λ 2 , with a 50% duty cycle. Although in various embodiments any suitable grating can be used. Grating  254  is relatively efficient, diffracting approximately 40.5% of the available energy into each of the m=−1 and m=+1 diffracted orders, and nominally 0% into the m=0 and other even diffracted orders. The relative phase delay of grating  254  is a function of wavelength, causing the energy in the undiffracted beam  264  at order m=0 to increase for wavelengths that differ from the representative wavelength λ 2 .  
         [0027]     Phase shifting the resulting broadband (or narrow-brand) interference-fringe pattern  280  is achieved by simply translating diffraction grating  254  in the direction  282  shown in  FIG. 2 . White-light or broadband phase shifting is realized because a translation of diffraction grating  254  by a given fraction of the grating period D shifts each spectral component of fringe pattern  280  by twice the same fraction of the fringe period d. For example, a translation of grating  252  by D/4, or one-quarter cycle, also shifts the interference-fringe pattern  280  by one-half cycle.  
         [0028]     Accordion motion (or variation of fringe size) of interference-fringe pattern  280  can be achieved in a number of ways. In one embodiment, for small diffracted angles θ m , doubling the period D of grating  254  halves the magnitude of θ m  of beams  260  and  262  which in turn doubles the period d of fringe pattern  280 . In another embodiment, decreasing the focal length f of lens  266  can increase the period d of fringe pattern  280 . However, no matter how changes in the fringe pattern are actuated, the placement of the lens, grating, and object of interest as taught herein contributes to producing fringe stability and reproducibility.  
         [0029]     Although methods for reducing the impact of light source movement on fringe motion are discussed above, another aspect of the invention relates to reducing the error when fringe motion is caused by design in a controlled fashion as part of the process of imaging an object. One of the operational features in various fringe generating imaging systems involves precisely translating a grating over specified distances. In some embodiments these translation distances are approximately 50 mm. Generally, the only limitations on translation distance are a function of a given imaging system set up and the size of the diffraction grating. In various embodiments, the accuracy with which the lateral position of the grating needs to be known is approximately 1/10 of a micrometer. In general various aspects of the invention relate to accurately knowing the position of the grating because the position of the projected fringes is directly correlated with the position of the grating. This is discussed above in relation to translatable grating  254  in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  schematically illustrates a grating  110 ′ and an encoder scale  300  according to an embodiment of the invention. The discussion of grating  110 ′ shown in  FIG. 2  also applies to the grating  110  in  FIG. 1  and the grating  254  in  FIG. 2 . Generally, the discussion of  FIGS. 3, 4A  and  4 B applies to those embodiments wherein a grating is translated to change the characteristics of a fringe pattern as part of an imaging or metrology system.  
         [0031]     In various interferometric measuring systems, a commercial linear encoder can be used to determine the position of the grating ( 110 ,  110 ′,  254 ). Other types of measurement devices employing fixed scales and devices for reading those scales can also be used in other embodiments. The linear encoder operates by monitoring the position of an encoder scale  300  with an encoder read-head (not shown). One of the largest sources of error that is typically encountered when using a linear encoder is Abbé error. Abbé error occurs when the spatial position of interest is displaced from the true position recorded by the measuring system. This in turn results in the introduction of errors in any system using the data generated by the measuring system.  
         [0032]     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , in some interferometric measuring systems embodiments, Abbé error is encountered when the object for which positional information is sought (in our case the grating  110 ′ ) is not at the same location as the position measuring device. In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , this measuring device is a linear encoder read-head. As the object (grating  110 ′ ) is translated, any relative angular changes between the measuring device and the grating  110 ′ will result in Abbé error.  
         [0033]     Again referring to  FIG. 3 , the position  305  on the encoder scale  300  represents the location where the encoder read-head is making a position measurement. The position  310  on the grating  110 ′ represents the location that must be tracked and measured to obtain overall grating positional information. Typically, in various embodiments the grating  110 ′ and encoder scale  300  are rigidly coupled 1  and are translated by a motorized stage (not shown) along the stage travel axis shown in the  FIG. 3 . As the stage is translated, the grating  110 ′ and encoder scale  305  both incur small angular rotations due to imperfections in the stage. Two of these angular rotations, pitch and yaw, will introduce Abbé error.  
         [0034]     The easiest way to visualize this is to assume that the axes of the pitch and yaw rotations intersect at the encoder read-head location. (This is not a necessary condition for Abbé error to occur. It is only assumed for visualization purposes.) In this case, as the stage pitches and yaws, the encoder read-head value does not deviate. However, the grating position  310  will change due to the pitch and yaw. The amount that the grating position changes (see  FIG. 3 ) is approximately d pitch θ pitch  in the pitch direction and d yaw θ yaw  in the yaw direction. Thus in order to reduce the grating position changes, the grating—encoder scale distances, d pitch  and d yaw , must be minimized or reduced as much as possible.  
         [0035]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate some techniques according to the invention for reducing Abbé error. Configuration  1  shown in  FIG. 4A  is applicable to various gratings such as the one shown in  FIG. 3 . The encoder scale is mounted perpendicular to the grating and directly over it. This configuration typically eliminates the yaw component of the Abbé error, and minimizes the pitch component. Note that the pitch component is not completely eliminated, because the encoder scale cannot occlude the grating if the system is to operate properly. In one embodiment of the invention the encoder read-head is aligned with the optical axis of the system&#39;s projection lens. In some embodiments the grating  110 ′ and encoder scale  300  are fabricated from the same materials to facilitate a reduction of temperature-based errors. These two system aspects eliminate imaging system errors that would otherwise be present due to temperature changes in the various imaging and metrology systems.  
         [0036]     The implementation of Configuration  1  in  FIG. 4A  does not completely eliminate the Abbé error due to stage pitch. Another proposed implementation (See Configuration  2  in  FIG. 4B ), may eliminate or substantially reduce the Abbé error due to pitch. This configuration uses two linear encoder scales  300 A,  300 B (and one or more measuring devices, typically two encoder read-heads). The measurement scales are positioned with one above and one below the grating  110 ′ as shown. Knowing the relative positions of the two read-heads with respect to the grating  110 ′, it is possible to take the two readings from the two encoders  300 A,  300 B and calculate the pitch error at the grating center. This type of differential measuring enables differences between the two encoder scales readings to facilitate a determination of pitch error. In some embodiments a processor, such as a computer processor or logic circuit, carries out the pitch error and yaw error calculations. As with Configuration  1 , the encoder scales  300 A,  300 B lie in the same plane as the grating  110 ′, so that the yaw error is approximately zero. As one variation of Configuration  2 , the encoder scales and gratings are fabricated on a single substrate in various embodiments. This provides improved alignment and enhanced thermal stability. Further error reduction can be achieved by combining the general aspects of the invention relating to encoder scale and optical element positioning in one device or measurement system.  
         [0037]     Having described and shown the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will now become apparent to one of skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating the concepts may be used and that many variations are possible which will still be within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. It is felt, therefore, that these embodiments should not be limited to disclosed embodiments but rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.