Method and apparatus for color-coded optical profilometer

摘要

A triangulation optical system and method for determining at least one coordinate of a surface of an object, along at least one coordinate axis which is substantially transverse to the surface. The method includes the steps of providing incident light of a substantially wide wavelength bandwidth propagating along the axis. Passing the light through an axially dispersing optics so that the light of different wavelengths is focussed at different locations relative to the axis. The different locations defining a multi-colored measuring area and a distance between extreme locations along the axis defining a depth of measuring range. Further, off-axis imaging of the measuring area, detecting intensity of the image and determining the coordinate of the intersection of the surface with the measuring area.