Surface treatment for optical image capturing system

An apparatus for capturing an image of a patterned object comprising:

• a transparent light refractor for reflecting and refracting light, the light refractor including at least a first surface, wherein the patterned object to be imaged may be placed adjacent to the first surface;
• a light source adjacent to the light refractor, wherein the light source transmits incident light into the transparent light refractor towards the first surface of the light refractor to generate an image of the patterned object;
• a light receptor adjacent to the light refractor for receiving an image of the patterned object to be placed against the first surface, wherein at least a portion of the incident light transmitted through the refractor by the light source may be reflected off of the first surface and received by the light receptor;
• a first layer of material provided on the first surface of the light refractor, the first layer of material being transparent and having at least two parts, a first part comprising a polymer and a second part comprising a fluid retained by the polymer, wherein the fluid is adapted to fill irregularities in surfaces of the patterned object that are substantially in contact with the first layer of material;
• and
• a second layer of transparent material interposed between the first layer of material and the first surface of the light refractor.

An apparatus for capturing the image of a patterned object comprising:

• a transparent light refractor for reflecting and refracting light, the light refractor including at least a first surface, wherein a patterned object to be imaged may be placed adjacent to the first surface;
• a light detector adjacent to a second surface of the light refractor for detecting an image of the patterned object to be placed against the first surface;
• a light source adjacent to a third surface of the light refractor which directs light towards the first surface of the light refractor to generate an image of the patterned object;
• a first layer of material provided on the first surface of the light refractor, the first layer of material comprising a polymer formed by casting;
• and
• a second layer of substantially transparent material interposed between the first layer of material and the first surface of the light refractor.

A system for creating an image of a patterned object comprising:

• a transparent light refractor for reflecting and refracting light, the light refractor including at least a first surface, wherein a patterned object to be imaged may be placed adjacent to the first surface;
• a light source adjacent to the light refractor, wherein the light source transmits incident light into the transparent light refractor towards the first surface of the light refractor to generate an image of the patterned object;
• a light receptor adjacent to the light refractor for receiving an image of the patterned object to be placed against the first surface, wherein at least a portion of the incident light transmitted through the refractor by the light source may be reflected off of the first surface and received by the light receptor;
• a first layer disposed on the first surface of the light refractor, the first layer comprising a polymer and a fluid retained by the polymer, wherein the fluid is adapted to fill irregularities in the surfaces of the patterned object that are substantially in contact with the first layer of material;
• and
• a second layer interposed between the first layer of material and the first surface of the light refractor.

An apparatus for capturing the image of a patterned object comprising:

• a transparent light refractor for reflecting and refracting light, the light refractor including at least a first surface adjacent to which a patterned object to be imaged is to be placed;
• a light source adjacent to the light refractor that directs light toward the first surface to generate an image of the patterned object, wherein the light source transmits incident light into the transparent light refractor towards the first surface of the light refractor;
• a light detector adjacent to the light refractor for detecting an image of the patterned object to be placed against the first surface, wherein at least a portion of the incident light transmitted into the light refractor toward the first surface of the light refractor may be reflected off of the first surface and received by the light detector;
• a first layer of material provided on the first surface of the light refractor, the first layer of material being transparent and having at least two parts, a first part which is a polymer and a second part which is a fluid and which is retained by the polymer, such that the fluid can fill irregularities and gaps in a patterned object to be imaged which is placed on the first layer of material;
• and
• a second layer of transparent material interposed between the first layer of material and the first surface of the light refractor.