Method and apparatus for determining surface shapes using reflec

Details Method and apparatus for determining surface shapes using reflec Method and apparatus for determining surface shapes using reflec

1985-06-17

1987-09-22

Rosenberger, R. A.

Optics: measuring and testing

By polarized light examination

Of surface reflection

356376, G01C 310, G01B 908

Patent

active

046951636

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for determining the surface shape of an object having an index of refraction. A laser light source (12) is incrementally movable in a rectilinear path along a track (10), and pivotal about the track (10), for scanning the surface of the object (14). A plurality of light detector segments (16) are provided on said track (10) for detecting light reflected from the object (14) which is maximally polarized when the angle of incidence equals Brewster's Angle. Means are provided for accurately determining the rectilinear and angular position of the light source (12), as well as which light detector segment (16) has received polarized light reflected from the object surface. A computer (20) is provided for receiving the positional information of the light source (12) with respect to the object surface and the light reflections received by each light detector segment (16) and therefrom calculates the spatial position of various points of reflection (24, 46, 52) from the object surface. The surface shape of the object (14) can thereby be reconstructed by plotting a two-dimensional plot of a plurality of such spatial points thus calculated.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4040738 (1977-08-01), Wagner
patent: 4514083 (1985-04-01), Fukuoka

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