Low-coherence inferometric device for light-optical scanning of an object

1. Low-coherence interferometric apparatus for light-optical scanning of an object ( 18 ), by detecting the position of light-remitting sites ( 20 ) which are located along a scan path ( 27 ) running in a scan direction ( 28 ),

with a low-coherence interferometer ( 6 ) comprising a low-coherent light source ( 7 ), a reference reflector ( 21 ) and a detector ( 25 ), wherein

light emitted from the light source ( 7 ) is split by a beam divider ( 10 ) into two optical paths ( 11 , 12 ), and a first fraction of the light is irradiated as measurement light ( 16 ) onto the object and reflected at a light-remitting site ( 20 ) located at a variable scan position on the scan path ( 27 ), and a second fraction of the light is irradiated as reference light ( 22 ) onto the reference reflector ( 21 ) where it is reflected,

the adjustable scan position is varied along the scan path ( 27 ) to perform a scan, and

the measurement light ( 16 ) and the reference light ( 22 ) are combined at a beam junction ( 10 ) in such a manner that the resulting detection light ( 24 ), upon striking the detector, generates an interference signal which contains information about the reflection intensity of the measurement light relative to the respective scan position,

characterized in that a variable wavelength selection device ( 30 ) is positioned in the light path of the detection light between the beam junction ( 10 ) and the detector ( 25 ), by which a wavelength-dependent separation of the detection light ( 24 ) is performed in such a manner that the detector ( 25 ) selectively receives preferably light with wavelengths which correspond to a predetermined sequence of wavenumbers k, and different sequences of wavenumbers k can be set for varying the scan position along the scan path ( 27 ).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that, in the spectral range of the light source ( 7 ), the optical dispersion in the light paths of the measurement light ( 16 ) and the reference light ( 22 ) is essentially the same and the sequence of wavenumbers k is equidistant.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that, in the spectral range of the light source ( 7 ), the optical dispersion in the light path of the measurement light ( 16 ) differs from the optical dispersion in the light path of the reference light ( 22 ) and the sequence of wavenumbers k deviates in such a manner from the equidistant sequence that the dispersion difference is compensated.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the variable wavelength selection device ( 30 ) comprises

a spectral separation device ( 31 ) by which the detection light ( 24 ) is spatially separated, dependent on the wavelength of the detection light ( 24 ),

a spatial light selection device ( 38 ) having, alternating along a line, light passage areas ( 39 ) with lower light attenuation and light blocking areas ( 40 ) with higher light attenuation, the detection light ( 24 ) passing with less attenuation through the light passage areas ( 39 ) than through the blocking areas ( 40 ), and

an optical imaging system ( 34 , 35 ) by which light irradiated from the spectral separation device ( 31 ), is focused upon the spatial light selection device ( 38 ),

wherein the spreading of the wavelength-dependent separation of the detection light ( 24 ) by the spectral separation device ( 31 ) and the distance of the alternating passage and blocking areas ( 39 , 40 ) of the light selection device ( 38 ) are variable relative to each other for setting the sequence of wavenumbers k.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 , characterized in that the angular dispersion of the wavelength-dependent light separation by the spectral separation device ( 31 ) is constant and the distance of the alternating light passage and blocking areas ( 39 , 40 ) of the light selection device ( 38 ) is variable.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 , characterized in that the spectral separation device ( 31 ) comprises an optical grating ( 32 ).

7. Apparatus, according to claim 4 characterized in that at least on optical element 60 of the optical imaging system ( 36 ) is simultaneously a component of the spectral separation device ( 31 ).

8. Apparatus, according to claim 4 characterized in that the spatial light selection device comprises a reflective optical element ( 43 ), upon which the detection light ( 24 ) is irradiated and which selectively provides different reflection in the light passage areas ( 39 ) and in the blocking areas ( 49 ).

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the light selection device ( 38 ) comprises a rotatable disk ( 54 , 56 ) with light passage and blocking areas ( 39 , 40 ) in the form of stripes, running in such a manner that a distance thereof, measured along a line ( 55 ) extending over the disk surface, changes during rotation of the disc ( 54 , 55 ).

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the spatial light selection device ( 38 ) comprises an optical element ( 42 , 43 , 59 ) having a reflection or transmission which can be selectively adjusted in different partial areas thereof by electronic means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that a light-collecting optical element ( 49 ) is positioned in the light path of the detection light ( 24 ) between the light selection device ( 38 ) and the detector ( 25 ), in order to concentrate the detection light ( 24 ) on the detector ( 25 ).