Patent ID: 7715021

Claim:
A microscope for measuring the surface profile of an object, comprising: an illumination module which directs illumination radiation with different wavelengths to different surface portions of the object in such a way that a predetermined object intersection length range is illuminated for every portion; and a detection module which detects sample radiation of every portion successively in time, wherein the sample radiation is generated based on an interaction between the illumination beam and the object; wherein the detection module (1) directs the sample radiation into a detection beam path by means of a scanner, and confocally images another wavelength of the sample radiation directed into the detection beam path in a plane for every intersection length of the object intersection length range to be detected, and (2) detects the intensity of the confocally imaged sample radiation in a wavelength-dependent manner and derives therefrom the position of the corresponding surface portion of the object; and wherein the detection module has a color module with adjustable longitudinal chromatic aberration which is arranged between the scanner and the plane, and through which the sample radiation passes so that the intersection lengths to be detected are adjustable by changing the longitudinal chromatic aberration.