Patent ID: 8077319

Claim:
An apparatus for observing the appearance of the surface ( 2 ) of a sample ( 1 ), comprising: a light source ( 11 ) for illuminating said surface ( 2 ) from a predetermined direction and means for observing the surface ( 2 ) comprising: a plurality of substantial flat mirrors ( 8 ) located in different directions with respect to said surface ( 2 ) and an optical system ( 6 , 14 ) for observing said flat mirrors ( 8 ), whereby each flat mirror ( 8 ) reflects an image of the surface ( 2 ) of the sample ( 1 ) to an image receiving part ( 6 ) of the optical system ( 6 , 14 ), and a spherical screen ( 17 ) located in front of the flat mirrors ( 8 ), wherein the screen ( 17 ) is provided with one or more openings ( 21 ) through which a light beam ( 12 ) can pass, and with an opening ( 22 ) through which the image receiving part ( 6 ) of the optical system ( 6 , 14 ) can be observed.