Scattered-light imaging system
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorKenneth M. Murray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method of obtaining the maximum amount of information availa in photographs or other objects in which the optical density is far below normal. The system makes use of an unconventional system of illumination combined with conventional projection imaging optics to form a real image of the object using only light scattered by the individual particles which form the object.
Claims9
A photographic image enhancement system comprising:
- an imaging means having an optic axis;
- an object holding means positioned on the optic axis and spaced from the imaging means for holding a transparency which has its surface normal to the optic axis and through which the optic axis passes and,
- means for illuminating the transparency;
- said illuminating means including means disposed laterally of the optic axis for directing optical radiation toward the transparency surface at an angle relative to the optic axis such that direct optical radiation by-passes the imaging means;
- whereby only deviated light having been diffracted, refracted, or scattered by the transparency is transmitted to the imaging means.
A method of obtaining the maximum amount of information available in a transparency in which the optical density is far below normal comprising:
- positioning the transparency in an optic axis of an imaging system with its surface normal to the optic axis;
- directing collimated light at an angle to the optic axis and through the transparency such that undeviated light by-passes the imaging system;
- focusing light which has been diffracted, refracted or scattered in passing through the transparency to form a real image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.