VCSEL based low coherence emitter for confocal 3D scanner
First Claim
1. A light source for illuminating an optical system, comprising:
- an array of VCSELs operatively connectable to a power source; and
a homogenizing lens array comprising a plurality of homogenizing lenses, each VCSEL emitter having a respective homogenizing lens of the plurality in registry therewith, the homogenizing lens array and array of VCSELs configured to generate a far field homogenized pattern of overlapping light beams at a spot generator microlens array.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for measuring objects comprise a plurality of light sources to generate a plurality of light beams directed toward a spot generator array comprising a plurality of spot generating lenses. The plurality of light sources is separated from the spot generator array with a separation distance sufficient to overlap the plurality of light beams at each of the spot generating lenses. The overlap of each of the beams at each of the spot generating lenses provides smoothing of the energy profile of the light energy incident on the spot generating lenses. The spot generator array generates focused spots comprising overlapping focused beams. The overlapping beams may comprise overlapping beams of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array, and the overlapping focused beams can decrease optical artifacts.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A light source for illuminating an optical system, comprising:
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an array of VCSELs operatively connectable to a power source; and a homogenizing lens array comprising a plurality of homogenizing lenses, each VCSEL emitter having a respective homogenizing lens of the plurality in registry therewith, the homogenizing lens array and array of VCSELs configured to generate a far field homogenized pattern of overlapping light beams at a spot generator microlens array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A intraoral scanning system, comprising:
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a handheld intraoral scanner; an optical system within the intraoral scanner; and a light source within the scanner that produces an array of light beams, the light source including; an array of VCSELs operatively connectable to a power source; and a homogenizing lens array comprising a plurality of homogenizing lenses, each VCSEL emitter having a respective homogenizing lens of the plurality in registry therewith, the homogenizing lens array and array of VCSELs configured to generate a far field homogenized pattern of overlapping light beams at a spot generator microlens array. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification