Chromatic diffraction range finder

#1. Technical Field

#The present invention relates to a method of making measurements in three-dimensions using the chromatic dispersion of a diffraction grating.

#2. Related Art

#The fileof this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color.

#The objects, features and advantages of the present invention and its application will be more readily appreciated when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the parameters and relationships in an embodiment of a diffraction range finder of the related art.

#The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fees.

#The objects of the present invention may be realized by recording the wavelengths within the spectrum of wavelengths dispersed by a diffraction grating as the measured variable when finding range by the diffraction method.

#In FIG. 3, the monochromatic laser 210 of the related art shown in FIG. 2 is replaced with a projector 310 that radiates a sheet of polychromatic light 320, in accordance with the present invention. The projector 310 serves as external source that illuminates a target 330 with the polychromatic light 320. Alternatively, the target 330 could be an original source of said polychromatic light 320. The polychromatic light 320 comprises broadband radiation such as, inter alia, broadband electromagnetic radiation for any wavelength range (e.g., the visible or X-ray wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation). When the polychromatic light strikes the target 330 surface, the target 330 diffuses a broad spectrum 322 of the polychromatic light toward a diffraction grating 340. Although FIG. 3 shows the grating 340 as a reflection diffraction grating, the grating 340 may alternatively be a transmission diffraction grating.