Apparatus and method for providing uniform illumination of a sample plane

Claim 2

A conical illuminator, comprising: a source of light; means for homogenizing the light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming said light to a pre-selected standard; an imaging optic for relaying said conformed light to a sample plane, said annular stop located at or near the tangential focal length of said imaging optic, and; means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 3

A conical illuminator, comprising: a source of light; an integrating chamber for homogenizing said light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming said light to a pre-selected standard; an imaging optic for relaying said conformed light to a sample plane, said annular stop located at or near the tangential focal length of said imaging optic, and; means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 4

A conical illuminator, comprising: a source of light; an integrating chamber for homogenizing said light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming said light to a pre-selected standard; an imaging optic for relaying said conformed light to a sample plane, said annular stop located at or near the tangential focal length of said imaging optic, and; means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 5

The conical illuminator of claim 2, further comprising means for detecting light diffused from the surface of said sample plane.

Claim 6

The conical illuminator of claim 3, wherein said light detecting means further comprises a mirror disposed along the central axis of said illuminator and above said sample plane for deflecting said diffused light towards said light detecting means.

Claim 7

A conical illuminator comprising: lamp means for emitting light; an integrating chamber having a diffuse reflective surface for integrating the light introduced into said chamber, said chamber having an exit port for releasing the integrated light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming the integrated light that is released from said exit port into a conical configuration defined by pre-selected standards; an imaging optic for relaying said geometrically conformed light uniformly onto a sample plane, wherein said annular stop is placed at or near the tangential focal length of the imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 8

A conical illuminator comprising: lamp means for emitting light; an integrating chamber having a diffuse reflective surface for integrating the light introduced into said chamber, said chamber having an exit port for releasing the integrated light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming the integrated light that is released from said exit port into a conical configuration defined by pre-selected standards; an imaging optic for relaying said geometrically conformed light uniformly onto a sample plane, wherein said annular stop is placed at or near the tangential focal length of the imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 9

The conical illuminator of claim 5, further comprising means for detecting light diffused from the surface of said sample plane.

Claim 10

The conical illuminator of claim 5, wherein said annular stop comprises: a first light blocking portion in communication with said exit port and defining a rounded opening symmetrically disposed parallel to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said rounded opening having a free edge portion; a second rounded light blocking portion in communication with said first light blocking portion and symmetrically disposed perpendicular to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said second rounded light blocking portion having a free edge portion, wherein the free edge portions of said rounded opening and said second rounded light blocking portion define an open gap constituting said annular aperture.

Claim 11

The conical illuminator of claim 7, wherein said first and second light blocking portions are coated with a light absorbing coating.

Claim 12

The conical illuminator of claim 5, wherein said imaging optic comprises a concave annular reflector surface.

Claim 13

The conical illuminator of claim 5, wherein said optic comprises: a convex annular lens symmetrically disposed parallel to the central axis of said illuminator; and a cylindrical mirrored surface symmetrically disposed about said convex annular lens.

Claim 14

The conical illuminator of claim 5, wherein said imaging optic comprises a convex lens symmetrically disposed perpendicular to the central axis of said illuminator, wherein the axis of said convex lens is coaxial with the central axis of the illuminator.

Claim 15

The conical illuminator of claim 5, wherein said lamp means is disposed within said integrating chamber.

Claim 16

A conical illuminator comprising: lamp means for emitting light; an integrating chamber having a diffuse reflective surface for integrating the light introduced into said chamber, said chamber having an exit port for releasing the integrated light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming the integrated light that is released from said exit port into a conical configuration defined by pre-selected standards, comprising a first light blocking portion in communication with said exit port and defining a rounded opening symmetrically disposed parallel to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said rounded opening having a free edge portion, said annular stop further comprising a second rounded light blocking portion in communication with said first light blocking portion and symmetrically disposed perpendicular to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said second rounded light blocking portion having a free edge portion, wherein the free edge portions of said rounded opening and second rounded light blocking portion define an open gap constituting said annular aperture, wherein said first light blocking portion comprises a hollow cylinder, and said second light blocking portion comprises a round plate; an imaging optic for relaying said geometrically conformed light uniformly onto a sample plane, wherein said annular stop is placed at or near the tangential focal length of the imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 17

A conical illuminator comprising: lamp means for emitting light; an integrating chamber having a diffuse reflective surface for integrating the light introduced into said chamber, said chamber having an exit port for releasing the integrated light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming the integrated light that is released from said exit port into a conical configuration defined by pre-selected standards, comprising a first light blocking portion in communication with said exit port and defining a rounded opening symmetrically disposed parallel to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said rounded opening having a free edge portion, said annular stop further comprising a second rounded light blocking portion in communication with said first light blocking portion and symmetrically disposed perpendicular to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said second rounded light blocking portion having a free edge portion, wherein the free edge portions of said rounded opening and second rounded light blocking portion define an open gap constituting said annular aperture, wherein said first light blocking portion comprises a hollow cylinder, and said second light blocking portion comprises a round plate; an imaging optic for relaying said geometrically conformed light uniformly onto a sample plane, wherein said annular stop is placed at or near the tangential focal length of the imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 18

A conical illuminator comprising: lamp means for emitting light; an integrating chamber having a diffuse reflective surface for integrating the light introduced into said chamber, said chamber having an exit port for releasing the integrated light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming the integrated light that is released from said exit port into a conical configuration defined by pre-selected standards, comprising a first light blocking portion in communication with said exit port and defining a rounded opening symmetrically disposed parallel to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said rounded opening having a free edge portion said annular stop further comprising a second rounded light blocking portion in communication with said first light blocking portion and symmetrically disposed perpendicular to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said second rounded light blocking portion having a free edge portion, wherein the free edge portions of said rounded opening and second rounded light blocking portion define an open gap constituting said annular aperture, wherein said first light blocking portion comprises an annular spheroidal mirror section having a center of curvature at or near the plane of the exit port, and said second light blocking portion comprises a rounded spheroidal mirror section having a center of curvature at or near the center of the plane of the exit port; an imaging optic for relaying said geometrically conformed light uniformly onto a sample plane, wherein said annular stop is placed at or near the tangential focal length of the imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 19

A conical illuminator comprising: lamp means for emitting light; an integrating chamber having a diffuse reflective surface for integrating the light introduced into said chamber, said chamber having an exit port for releasing the integrated light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming the integrated light that is released from said exit port into a conical configuration defined by pre-selected standards, comprising a first light blocking portion in communication with said exit port and defining a rounded opening symmetrically disposed parallel to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said rounded opening having a free edge portion said annular stop further comprising a second rounded light blocking portion in communication with said first light blocking portion and symmetrically disposed perpendicular to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said second rounded light blocking portion having a free edge portion, wherein the free edge portions of said rounded opening and second rounded light blocking portion define an open gap constituting said annular aperture, wherein said first light blocking portion comprises an annular spheroidal mirror section having a center of curvature at or near the plane of the exit port, and said second light blocking portion comprises a rounded spheroidal mirror section having a center of curvature at or near the center of the plane of the exit port; an imaging optic for relaying said geometrically conformed light uniformly onto a sample plane, wherein said annular stop is placed at or near the tangential focal length of the imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 20

A conical illuminator comprising: lamp means for emitting light; an integrating chamber having a diffuse reflective surface for integrating the light introduced into said chamber, said chamber having an exit port for releasing the integrated light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming the integrated light that is released from said exit port into a conical configuration defined by pre-selected standards, comprising a first light blocking portion in communication with said exit port and defining a rounded opening symmetrically disposed parallel to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said rounded opening having a free edge portion, and a second rounded light blocking portion in communication with said first light blocking portion and symmetrically disposed perpendicular to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said second rounded light blocking portion having a free edge portion, wherein the free edge portions of said rounded opening and second rounded light blocking portion define an open gap constituting said annular aperture, wherein said first light blocking portion comprises a hollowed rounded portion having an interior surface with a plurality of mirrored grooves formed thereon, said grooves concentric about the central axis of the illuminator, and wherein said second light blocking portion comprises a rounded plate having a surface with a plurality of mirrored grooves formed thereon, said grooves concentric about the central axis of the illuminator; an imaging optic for relaying said geometrically conformed light uniformly onto a sample plane, wherein said annular stop is placed at or near the tangential focal length of the imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 21

A conical illuminator comprising: lamp means for emitting light; an integrating chamber having a diffuse reflective surface for integrating the light introduced into said chamber, said chamber having an exit port for releasing the integrated light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming the integrated light that is released from said exit port into a conical configuration defined by pre-selected standards, comprising a first light blocking portion in communication with said exit port and defining a rounded opening symmetrically disposed parallel to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said rounded opening having a free edge portion, and a second rounded light blocking portion in communication with said first light blocking portion and symmetrically disposed perpendicular to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said second rounded light blocking portion having a free edge portion, wherein the free edge portions of said rounded opening and second rounded light blocking portion define an open gap constituting said annular aperture, wherein said first light blocking portion comprises a hollowed rounded portion having an interior surface with a plurality of mirrored grooves formed thereon, said grooves concentric about the central axis of the illuminator, and wherein said second light blocking portion comprises a rounded plate having a surface with a plurality of mirrored grooves formed thereon, said grooves concentric about the central axis of the illuminator; an imaging optic for relaying said geometrically conformed light uniformly onto a sample plane, wherein said annular stop is placed at or near the tangential focal length of the imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 22

A conical illuminator comprising: a first integrating chamber having a diffuse reflective surface, for integrating light introduced into said chamber, the chamber having an exit port and entrance port; a second integrating chamber having an opening in sealed communication with said entrance port and having a diffuse reflective surface for integrating light; lamp means disposed within the second integrating chamber for emitting light through the entrance port; an annular stop for geometrically conforming the integrated light that is released through the exit port into a conical configuration defined by a pre-selected standard; an imaging optic having a tangential focal length and disposed between the annular stop and the sample plane, for relaying the geometrically conformed light uniformly across the sample plane, wherein the annular stop is placed at or near the tangential focal length of the imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 23

A conical illuminator comprising: a first integrating chamber having a diffuse reflective surface, for integrating light introduced into said chamber, the chamber having an exit port and entrance port; a second integrating chamber having an opening in sealed communication with said entrance port and having a diffuse reflective surface for integrating light; lamp means disposed within the second integrating chamber for emitting light through the entrance port; an annular stop for geometrically conforming the integrated light that is released through the exit port into a conical configuration defined by a pre-selected standard; an imaging optic having a tangential focal length and disposed between the annular stop and the sample plane, for relaying the geometrically conformed light uniformly across the sample plane, wherein the annular stop is placed at or near the tangential focal length of the imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 24

The conical illuminator of claim 16, further comprising measurement means for measuring light diffused off of said sample plane.

Claim 25

The conical illuminator of claim 16, wherein the imaging optic comprises a concave annular reflector surface.

Claim 26

The conical illuminator of claim 16, wherein the imaging optic comprises: a convex annular lens symmetrically disposed parallel to and about the central axis of said illuminator, and; a cylindrical mirrored surface symmetrically disposed about said convex annular lens.

Claim 27

The conical illuminator of claim 16, wherein the imaging optic comprises a convex lens symmetrically disposed perpendicular to and about the central axis of said illuminator, wherein the axis of said convex lens is coaxial with the central axis of the illuminator.

Claim 28

The conical illuminator of claim 17, further comprising means for directing the light diffused from the surface of the sample plane towards the measurement means.

Claim 29

The conical illuminator of claim 21, wherein said light direction means comprises a mirror angularly fixed above the surface of the sample plane for directing diffused light along a path away from said sample plane and towards said measurement means.

Claim 30

The conical illuminator of claim 16, further comprising one or more light reference detector for monitoring the integrated light.

Claim 31

The conical illuminator of claim 23, further comprising measurement means for measuring light diffused off of said sample plane, wherein the light reference detector is coupled to the measurement means and relays signals responsive to said monitoring for controlling the accuracy of the measurement means.

Claim 32

The conical illuminator of claim 16, wherein the annular stop comprises: a first blocking portion in communication with said exit port and defining a rounded opening symmetrically disposed parallel to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said rounded opening having a free edge portion; a second rounded light blocking portion in communication with said first light blocking portion and symmetrically disposed perpendicular to and about the central axis of said illuminator, said second rounded light blocking portion having a free edge portion, wherein the free edge portions of said rounded opening and said second rounded light blocking portion define an open gap constituting said annular aperture.

Claim 33

The conical illuminator of claim 25, wherein said first light blocking portion comprises a hollow cylinder, and said second light blocking portion comprises a rounded plate.

Claim 34

The conical illuminator of claim 25, wherein said first and second light blocking portions are coated with a light absorbing coating.

Claim 35

The conical illuminator of claim 25, wherein said first light blocking portion comprises an annular spheroidal mirror section having a center of curvature at or near the center of the plane of the exit port, and said second light blocking portion comprises a rounded spheroidal mirror having a center of curvature at or near the center of the plane of the exit port.

Claim 36

The conical illuminator of claim 25, wherein said first light blocking portion has a mirrored surface.

Claim 37

The conical illuminator of claim 25, wherein said second light blocking portion has a mirrored surface.

Claim 38

The conical illuminator of claim 25, wherein said first light blocking portion comprises a hollow rounded portion having an interior surface with a plurality of mirrored grooves formed thereon, said grooves concentric about the central axis of the illuminator, and said second light blocking portion comprises a rounded plate having a surface with a plurality of mirrored grooves formed thereon, said mirrored grooves concentric about the central axis of the illuminator.

Claim 39

The conical illuminator of claim 31, wherein the mirrored grooves on the surfaces of the hollow rounded portion and/or rounded plate are formed with a 90° apex.

Claim 40

The conical illuminator of claim 25, wherein said first light blocking portion has an interior surface with a plurality of mirrored grooves formed thereon.

Claim 41

The conical illuminator of claim 25, wherein said second light blocking portion has a surface with a plurality of mirrored grooves formed thereon.

Claim 42

A conical illuminator comprising: lamp means for emitting light; a diffuser for homogenizing said light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming said light to a pre-selected standard; an imaging optic for relaying said conformed light to a sample plane, said annular stop located at or near the tangential focal length of said imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 43

A conical illuminator comprising: lamp means for emitting light; a diffuser for homogenizing said light; an annular stop for geometrically conforming said light to a pre-selected standard; an imaging optic for relaying said conformed light to a sample plane, said annular stop located at or near the tangential focal length of said imaging optic; and means for establishing spacing from said imaging optic to said sample plane.

Claim 46

The method of claim 36, further including the step of directing light diffused from the sample plane towards light measurement means.

Claim 47

The method of claim 36, further including the step of coating the annular stop with a light absorbing coating.

Claim 48

The method of claim 36, wherein the step of homogenizing the light includes the step of introducing the light into an integrating chamber.

Claim 49

The method of claim 36, wherein the step of homogenizing the light includes the step of introducing the light through a diffuser.