Abstract: An optical tomography apparatus comprises: a polychromatic light source, a one-dimensional optical sensor, an interferometric microscope, a one-dimensional confocal spatial filtering system, an actuation system making it possible to perform a one-way scan depthwise of an object to be observed and a processor for reconstructing a two-dimensional image of a section of the object from a plurality of one-dimensional interferential images acquired by the image sensor during the one-way scan. An optical tomography method based on use of such an apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An optical tomography apparatus comprises: a polychromatic light source, a one-dimensional optical sensor, an interferometric microscope, a one-dimensional confocal spatial filtering system, an actuation system making it possible to perform a one-way scan depthwise of an object to be observed and a processor for reconstructing a two-dimensional image of a section of the object from a plurality of one-dimensional interferential images acquired by the image sensor during the one-way scan. An optical tomography method based on use of such an apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A device for the tomographic imaging of an object to be analyzed, the device comprising a light source that emits a light beam with a coherence length substantially equal to the thickness of a slice of the object to be analyzed; and an interferometric imaging system comprising at least one objective, a reference mirror and a light-beam splitting means; wherein the interferometric system is arranged so that the objective defines a first focusing plane at the slice of the object to be analyzed and a second focusing plane at the reference mirror, and wherein the interferometric imaging system comprises at least a first compensating medium positioned between the second focusing plane and the splitting means, the thickness and the optical index of the at least one compensating medium having optical properties such that a first optical path of the light beam emitted from the light source between the first focusing plane and the splitting means is substantially equal to a second optical path of the light beam betwee

Abstract: A method and a device for interferential microscopic imaging of an object which comprises sending a light beam in each of the arms of a two-wave interferometer, one of the arms comprising the object to be analyzed. The phase is subjected to a sinusoidal modulation to a frequency f. The signal modulation results from mechanical oscillation of an assembly of elements of the interferometer. The interference signal (S) is integrated during the phase variation via a multichannel sensor. A computer enables to record the integrated interference signal obtained during each period fraction 1/n and to calculate, subsequently, the image of the object. The invention is potentially useful for characterizing thin layers, for controlling components in microelectronics, for reading data stored in volume (3D) and objects unstable in time; in biology and in vivo studies.

Abstract: A method for microscopic display of a three-dimensional object wherein the sample (1) is displayed through an interferometer (2). Local probes (9) of nanometric dimensions are introduced in the sample (1). The device for microscopic display of a three-dimensional object includes an interferometer (2), a wide-spectrum source (5), a matrix sensor (6), elements for forming the image of a thin edge of the object on the sensor through the interferometer (2), a unit for processing the image produced by the matrix sensor (6). The device includes elements for inserting local probes in the sample.

Abstract: A method and a device for interferential microscopic imaging of an object which comprises sending a light beam in each of the arms of a two-wave interferometer, one of the arms comprising the object to be analyzed. The phase is subjected to a sinusoidal modulation to a frequency f. The signal modulation results from mechanical oscillation of an assembly of elements of the interferometer. The interference signal (S) is integrated during the phase variation via a multichannel sensor. A computer enables to record the integrated interference signal obtained during each period fraction 1/n and to calculate, subsequently, the image of the object. The invention is potentially useful for characterizing thin layers, for controlling components in microelectronics, for reading data stored in volume (3D) and objects unstable in time; in biology and in vivo studies.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for observing a body, in particular a viewer, comprising means for illuminating (12) the body (5), means for sampling (400, 450, 500, 700) light coming from an illuminated site (01) of the body and compensating means (20) for measuring a deformation of the wave front of a beam coming from a point of the body (5) and for applying to the light sampled by the sampling means (400, 450, 500, 700) a correction calculated on the basis of said measured deformation.