Optical measuring device

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an optical measuring device having a 3-D measuring set-up for measuring the shapes of test object (O) surfaces in three dimensions, and having projection optics including an objective optics, the test object being illuminated by a light source (SLD) via an illuminating beam using an illuminating optics. A rapid, highly resolving measurement of surface shapes which are nearly radially symmetric is achieved by designing the objective optics as image-flattening optics for covering (measuring) and flattening a curved surface area or as panoramic optics (RO) for measuring a radially symmetric surface area that encircles 360°.

Description

[0001] The present invention is directed to an optical measuring device having a 3-D measuring set-up for measuring the shapes of test object surfaces in three dimensions, and having projection optics including an objective optics, the test object being illuminated by a light source via an illuminating beam using an illuminating optics.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Optical measuring devices of this kind are known, for example, as interferometric measuring devices, which are based on the principle of phase analysis, i.e., analyzing the transit time of the radiation, or as measuring devices (e.g., fringe projection) based on the triangulation method, where the measurement is made in dependence upon an observation angle and the illumination direction.

[0003] Among the interferometric methods, one distinguishes those of classic interferometry (see, e.g., A. Donges, R. Noll in “Lasermesstechnik” (Laser Metrology), Huethig Publishers 1993), of white-light interferometry, where light sources of short coherence length are used (e.g., light-emitting diode, superluminescent diode) (compare P. de Groot, L. Deck, “Surface Profiling by Analysis of White-Light Interferograms in the Spatial Frequency Domain” J. Mod. Opt., vol. 42, no. 2, 389-401, 1995; Th. Dresel, G. Haesler, H. Venzke; “Three-Dimensional Sensing of Rough surfaces by Coherence Radar”, Appl. Opt., vol. 31, no. 7, 919-925, 1992; DE 199 48 813.4 and DE 100 15 878.1) and of heterodyne interferometry (see, e.g., DE 197 21 842 C2; H. J. Tiziani, “Optical Methods for Precision Measurements”, Optical and Quantum Electronics, vol. 21, 253-282, 1989; K. Creath, “Temporal Phase Measurement Method” in d. W. Robinson, T. G. Reid: “Interferogram Analysis”, IOP Publishing Bristol 1993; R. Onodera, Y. Ishii, “Two-Wavelength Interferometry That Uses a Fourier Transform Method”, Appl. Opt., vol. 37, no. 34, 7988-7994, 1998).

[0004] As mentioned, for example, in the two named, non-prepublished German patent applications 199 48 813.4 and 100 15 878.1, as well as in the two non-prepublished German patent applications 100 33 027.4 and 100 33 028.2, which likewise deal with white-light interferometry, it has been difficult in known methods heretofore to measure relatively large surface areas, particularly within narrow cavities, quickly and at high resolutions. For example, objects having very small cone angles often cannot be measured using interferometers which work with a plane field of view (flat angular field), since no light is scattered back into the objective. When an endoscope is used, conical or cylindrical surface are only able to be measured in small segments. Measuring the entire surface is time-consuming, since many individual segments need to be measured.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an optical measuring device of the type mentioned at the outset, which will make it possible to measure relatively large, contiguous surface areas of test objects quickly and at high resolutions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This objective is achieved by the features of claim 1. These features provide for the objective optics to be designed as image-flattening optics for covering (measuring) and flattening a curved surface area (for example, saddle surface, conical segment) or as panoramic optics for measuring a radially symmetric surface area that encircles 360°. The surface area to be measured, which is illuminated by illumination optics, for example even at hard-to-reach places, in a simple and defined manner, is covered by the panoramic optics in a cohesive and, thus, highly resolving manner, and quickly, and measured in three dimensions by the measuring device. In this connection, it is possible to measure surface inaccuracies, for example unwanted roughness, imprecise cylindrical bores or conical valve seats, and also transitional regions between conical valve seats and cylindrical surfaces, and not only those surfaces extending in the depth direction, but flat areas as well. Image-flattening optics make it possible, in particular, to measure a substantially curved surface area, e.g., a substantially curved section of a valve seat.

[0007] The panoramic optics may advantageously be designed in such a way that the covered surface area is imaged as a (not necessarily plane) intermediate image.

[0008] For the further measured-value acquisition and analysis, it is beneficial that the panoramic optics or image-flattening optics be designed such that the covered surface area is imaged in one plane as a flattened image, directly on the image recorder, or as a flattened intermediate image.

[0009] A simple and, in this context, accurate and fast measurement is facilitated by designing the illumination optics, which includes the panoramic optics or the image-flattening optics and further optics, such that the wavefront illuminating the test object is adapted to the geometry of the surface area, so that the illuminating beams impinge normally upon the surface area.

[0010] Alternative advantageous embodiments provide for the design of the panoramic optics or the image-flattening optics to correspond to a wide-angle objective having an angular magnification substantially greater than one, and to a telecentric system, or to a normal-angle objective having an angular and linear magnification of one and a deflection set-up. In the case of the wide-angle optics having a telecentric system, the aperture stop (diaphragm) may be situated outside of the panoramic optics and, on the object side, each beam may have a different pupil. In this manner, the parallel beams of the image side are converted on the object side into beams which are normal, for example, to a conical surface (or cylindrical surface).

[0011] A further advantageous embodiment provides for the deflection set-up to be designed as an axicon, in the form of a rotationally symmetric prism or as a rotationally symmetric mirror. For the design of axicons, reference is made to J. H. McLeod, “Axicons and Their Uses”, J. Opt Soc Am., vol. 50, no. 2, 166-169, 1960, as well as to G. Schroeder, “Technische Fotographie” (Technical Photography), Vogel Publishers, 74-77, 1981.

[0012] Various suitable possible designs of panoramic optics or of image-flattening optics include spherical, aspherical, or Grin lenses, rod lenses, diffractive optical elements, prisms, mirrors, or a combination of some or of all of these components.

[0013] Alternative advantageous designs provide for the 3-D measuring set-up to be an interferometric measuring set-up or a measuring set-up that is based on the triangulation method and, additionally, for the interferometric measuring set-up to be fabricated as a generally known, normal interferometer, heterodyne interferometer or white-light interferometer, which has a short-coherent light source.

[0014] Advantageous measures for positioning the measuring device in relation to the object and for performing the measurement are derived in that the white-light interferometer has an object arm in which the panoramic optics or the image-flattening optics are mounted and by way of which the illuminating beam runs at least partially, and a reference arm including a reference mirror, and that the reference arm and the object arm extend such that they are spatially separate from one another, or are spatially integrated in one another in a common path configuration. If provision is made, in this context, for the white-light interferometer to be divided into a modulation interferometer and a probe interferometer that is coupled via a fiber optics or a free-space optics to the panoramic optics, then the operation (handling) is further facilitated.

[0015] To compensate for the panoramic optics or the image-flattening optics, optics similar or equivalent thereto may be employed in the reference arm.

[0016] Various possible embodiments, which, depending on the measuring task, have different advantages and may be suitably selected, are derived in that a relative change in the optical path length between the object light path and the reference light path may follow in different ways when working with the white-light interferometer, e.g., by moving a reference mirror, moving the object, moving the interferometer, by changing the optical path length in the reference arm using an acoustooptical modulator or by depth scanning of the intermediate image.

[0017] Various options for easily measuring different surfaces even in hard-to-reach places are also provided in that an optics assembly that is rigid with respect to the test object is situated in the object arm, and in that the rigid optics assembly is followed by an optics assembly that is movable in the direction of its optical axis. In this context, given a proper handling, a relatively large lateral resolution may be achieved, even in narrow cavities, when the rigid optics assembly is fully or partially designed as an endoscope.

[0018] By applying the measure whereby the rigid optics assembly is part of an optics assembly that generates the intermediate image, one further substantially reduces the outlay entailed in adapting the measuring device to various measuring tasks. A refinement is advantageous, for example, where the rigid optics assembly is part of the panoramic optics or image-flattening optics.

[0019] To achieve a robust measurement with respect to the relative lateral movement of the test object, it is advantageously provided for the rigid optics assembly to form images of the test object toward infinity.

[0020] The accuracy of the measurement is further enhanced by the measures whereby an image of the reference plane of the reference arm lies in the depth of focus range of the panoramic optics or of the image flattening optics. In this connection, it is advantageous that the image of the reference plane lies in the image plane of the panoramic optics or of the image-flattening optics and, furthermore, that in response to movement of the movable optics assembly, the image of the reference plane moves synchronously with the image plane of the panoramic optics or of the image-flattening optics.

[0021] Another advantageous embodiment of the present invention is derived by designing the rigid optics as panoramic optics or as image-flattening optics, which are used to generate at least one intermediate image that is rigid with respect to the test object, and by designing, as a movable optics assembly, an objective optics that follows behind the rigid intermediate image in the optical path of rays so as to be movable in the direction of its optical axis, for scanning the intermediate image that is aligned normally to this axis, in the depth direction, and for imaging the same on the image recorder directly or by way of one or more intermediate images. Because the rigid intermediate image of the object surface situated, for example, in the object light path, is formed by the rigid intermediate-image imaging device in the form of panoramic optics or image-flattening optics in the object light path, the object surface to be measured is able to be measured at a relatively high lateral resolution, even in narrow channels or boreholes, and is able to be analyzed with respect to the depth structure using the image recorder and the downstream evaluation unit. The rigid intermediate image is able to be scanned using relatively simple measures, since only a few optical components of the object light path need be moved to scan its depth, the scanned depth of the rigid intermediate image, in each instance, always remaining within the depth of focus range of the movable objective optics, since, due to the depth scanning (depth scan), the object plane of the moving objective optics is moved, so to speak, through the rigid intermediate image, and, in this manner, for example, the interference maxima are analyzed in the range of the greatest focus depth. Moreover, the rigid intermediate image is always aligned or able to be aligned normally to the moving direction of the objective optics including the panoramic optics or image-flattening optics.

[0022] The imaging quality and the accuracy of the evaluation are enhanced by the fact that the intermediate image has the same linear magnification for all object points imaged in the intermediate image. In this context, the rigid optics assembly is advantageously designed as a 4f array.

[0023] With respect to closely related designs of rigid and movable optics assemblies, reference is made to the exemplary embodiments in German Patent Application no. 101 15 524, which may be incorporated accordingly for the subject matter of the present application.

[0024] Another possible way to adapt the measuring device to a given surface structure of the test object is to provide at least two panoramic optics or image-flattening optics and to design them such that a flattened image or intermediate image is able to be produced simultaneously from at least two surface regions, a reference plane being provided in the reference arm, and the images or the intermediate images being analyzed in time succession, or a number of assigned reference planes corresponding to the number of panoramic optics or image-flattening optics being provided, and the analysis taking place synchronously.

[0025] By using the panoramic or image-flattening optics, the surface of the object is illuminated and observed virtually perpendicularly, so that measurements are possible, in particular even when working with very small cone angles or narrow bores. Employing the panoramic optics, the test object may be measured in one single recording (exposure) in an annular section or, depending on the surface properties, even completely measured.

[0026] In this context, the panoramic optics or the image-flattening optics may be designed in such a way that the surface of the object is imaged directly, via a telecentric imaging or an intermediate image (in accordance with German Patent Application 199 48 813.4-52) on the image recorder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0027] The present invention is elucidated in the following on the basis of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the drawing, whose figures show:

[0028] FIGS. 1A through 1D various embodiments of a panoramic optics of an optical measuring device, the figures also showing test objects having different surface regions;

[0029] FIG. 2 an optical measuring device designed as a white-light interferometer, including a panoramic optics according to FIG. 1A and a flattened intermediate image;

[0030] FIG. 3 a further specific embodiment of the optical measuring device, where, in comparison to FIG. 2, an additional intermediate image is produced;

[0031] FIG. 4 a further optical measuring device in the form of a white-light interferometer, where, in comparison to FIG. 2, the reference arm is altered;

[0032] FIG. 5 a further specific embodiment of the optical measuring device including a white-light interferometer, where, the parts that move during depth scanning (shown with broken lines) are combined differently than in the preceding exemplary embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 6 a design of the optical measuring device including a white-light interferometer, where separation into modulation interferometer and probe interferometer is made; and

[0034] FIG. 7 a further specific embodiment of the optical measuring device, including a white-light interferometer divided into a modulation interferometer and a probe interferometer, where, in comparison to FIG. 6, the reference mirror of the probe interferometer is differently designed.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0035] FIGS. 1A through 1D show various embodiments of a panoramic optics RO which may be employed in different structural forms of the optical measuring device, in particular also the optical measuring devices shown in FIGS. 2 through 7, in the form of white-light interferometers (short-coherent interferometers).

[0036] As FIG. 2 shows, a panoramic optics RO, appropriately designed for the measuring task, is positioned in an object arm OA in front of (upstream from) a test object O, i.e., its surface region to be measured, which here represents the surface of an inner cone, for example. Accordingly, panoramic optics RO may also be designed for the outer surface of a cone in accordance with FIG. 1B, or for the inner surface of an inner cylinder or of a bore in accordance with FIG. 1C, or for a transitional region between a conical surface and a bore in accordance with FIG. 1D. In this context, panoramic optics RO may be an objective, for example, which is designed similarly to a wide-angle objective (angular magnification substantially different from 1) and be thereby implemented virtually as a telecentric configuration. The aperture stop may be situated outside of panoramic optics RO, and, on the object side, each beam may have a different pupil. In this manner, the parallel beams of the image side are converted on the object side into beams which are normal, for example, to a conical surface (or cylindrical surface). Alternatively, a classic objective may also be used, for example, having an angular, as well as linear magnification of 1, however including a deflection system, e.g., an axicon. The axicon may either be a rotationally symmetric prism which works during transmission, or a rotationally symmetric mirror which works during reflection. Panoramic optics RO may be implemented either with spherical, aspherical, or Grin lenses, rod lenses, diffractive optical elements, prisms, mirrors, or a combination thereof. A panoramic optics design is also conceivable, where an annular or also a circular section of a flat surface is illuminated and covered. In this context, the covered surface regions are radially symmetric.

[0037] Moreover, two or more panoramic optics RO may be positioned and designed such that, besides from one surface region, a flattened image or intermediate image is able to be produced simultaneously from at least one further surface region (as indicated in the German Patent Application 100 33 028.2).

[0038] Then, proportionately to the number of further surface regions, at least one further reference plane (reference mirror) may be positioned in the reference light path to generate different optical lengths (in accordance with German Patent Application 100 33 027.4). This set-up makes it possible to measure, for example, the position of a guide bore to a spatially separate valve seat.

[0039] If white-light interferometry (short-coherence interferometry) is applied as a measuring method, then the design may be implemented, for example, as a Michelson interferometer in accordance with FIG. 2. The light from a short-coherent light source SLD, for example from a superluminescent diode or light-emitting diode, is coupled via a beam splitter ST into the two interferometer arms constituted by object arm OA and reference arm RA. Test object O is illuminated through panoramic optics RO. In this context, it is beneficial when the object surface is illuminated through a wavefront which is adapted to the geometry of test object O. Through panoramic optics RO, an annular section (encircling 360°) of the object surface, for example, is imaged by panoramic optics RO into a plane: a flattened intermediate image ZW is formed. The flattened intermediate image may be produced directly on an image recorder BA, e.g., a CCD camera, or be imaged thereon, or via further intermediate images, as shown in FIG. 3. Following optoelectric conversion, the signals obtained from the object surface are properly analyzed in an evaluation unit (not shown).

[0040] In reference arm RA, the reference wave is reflected by reference mirror RSp which moves in accordance with the double arrow. To compensate for panoramic optics RO, a compensation optics KO, similar or corresponding to panoramic optics RO, is employed in reference arm RA. However, it predominately images (forms an image of) a flat reference mirror RSp again into a plane. If an optics assembly identical to panoramic optics RO is used for purposes of compensation, then a reference mirror having virtually the same geometry as the object surface to be measured is needed, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] The image of the object surface, superimposed with the reference wave, is recorded on image recorder BA.

[0042] To perform the measurement, the path difference between the optical path lengths in object arm OA and in reference arm RA is changed (depth scanning, depth scan), as known per se (e.g., scanning of reference mirror RSp, scanning of the object, intermediate image scan in accordance with German Patent Application 100 15 878.1 mentioned at the outset, scanning by acoustooptic modulators in accordance with German Patent 197 21 842 C2).

[0043] In the case of white-light interferometry, the depth scan may be carried out using a plane reference mirror RSp (FIG. 2) or a reference mirror RSp adapted to the geometry of the object surface (FIG. 4) by shifting only reference mirror RSp or reference mirror RSp using the compensating optics assembly, as shown in FIG. 4 (broken-line area). Panoramic optics RO may also be employed as so-called bayonet optics (in accordance with German Patent Application 100 15 878.1). The depth scanning is then carried out in that flattened intermediate image ZW is scanned by a movable objective optics in the depth direction, as shown in FIG. 5, where the moving part is shown with dotted lines (as in FIG. 4 as well).

[0044] In the image of the object surface on image recorder BA, high interference contrast occurs when the path difference in both interference arms OA, RA is smaller than the coherence length. Various methods have been established for obtaining the 3D contour profile (elevation of surface features) of the object surface, as indicated by the related-art white-light interferometry mentioned at the outset.

[0045] The basis of these methods is, for measuring purposes, to change the optical path length of the object light path in relation to the optical path length of the reference light path, and to analyze the interferogram for each measuring point.

[0046] In the set-up according to FIG. 3, in comparison to the set-up according to FIG. 2, an additional intermediate image ZW2 is generated in object arm OA using imaging elements (not shown in greater detail). For purposes of compensation, suitable optical elements are positioned in reference arm RA. Further imaging elements (not described more closely) are provided between beam splitter ST and image recorder BA (as also in FIG. 2 and the remaining figures).

[0047] The white-light interferometer is implemented as a so-called “common path” arrangement in a modified design according to FIGS. 6 and 7. The white-light interferometer is again illuminated by a broadband (short-coherent) light source SLD. A first beam splitter Sp splits the light into two arms, which have a first and a second mirror Sp1, Sp2. This partial interferometer is described in the following as modulation interferometer MI. The optical path difference between the two arms is greater than the coherence length of light source SLD.

[0048] From the two mirrors Sp1, Sp2, the reflected light is fed via first beam splitter St1 and a second beam splitter St2 into an optical probe (e.g., endoscope). This partial interferometer, made up of reference mirror RSp and the optical path to test object O, including the optical components provided, is referred to in the following as probe interferometer SI. One exceptional feature of this design is that reference mirror RSp is located in the optical probe itself and may be situated at various positions (RSp′, RSp″). One portion of the light is reflected off of this reference mirror RSp (and, respectively, RSp′, RSp″), while the other portion of the light illuminates the surface region of test object O to be measured. Reference mirror RSp may be mounted on a plane plate or, for example, on a prism. The path difference predefined in modulation interferometer MI is canceled in probe interferometer SI by positioning the reference mirror accordingly.

[0049] Alternatively, probe interferometer SI may also be implemented as a Mirau interferometer, as shown by FIG. 7. Using panoramic optics RO, adapted, for example, to a conical object surface, test object O may be imaged onto image recorder BA, in some instances via intermediate images ZW, ZW2, and superimposed with the reference wave. To obtain the contour (elevation of surface features) information, mirror Sp2 is scanned over the measuring area. High interference contrast occurs in the image of test object O when the path difference between the two mirrors Sp1 and Sp2 is precisely the optical path difference between reference mirror RSp and test object O. To obtain the 3D contour profile (elevation of surface features), established methods are used to analyze the interferograms in each image point. The benefit of this design is that the object and reference waves propagate through virtually the identical optics assembly, so that aberrations are substantially compensated for. Moreover, this set-up is more rugged and, therefore, less susceptible to mechanical shocks.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, modulation interferometer MI is coupled to probe interferometer SI via a fiber optics OF; this is equally possible via free-space optics.

[0051] Alternatively, the optical path length in reference arm RA may also be changed by acoustooptic modulators (scanned through) (compare German Patent 197 21 842 C2).

[0052] As a further exemplary embodiment, the common-path interferometer may be implemented in the Mirau set-up, also without modulation interferometer MI. Light source SLD may then be coupled directly into probe interferometer SI, e.g., via beam splitter St2 in accordance with FIG. 7. For the depth scanning, the actual reference mirror must then be moved toward the beam splitter. FIG. 7 depicts reference mirror RSp of probe interferometer SI between panoramic optics RO and test object O in properly adapted form, and an enlarged detail of a third beam splitter ST3 in a partial sketch.

[0053] In other interferometric methods (not discussed here) (e.g., classic interferometry, heterodyne interferometry, speckle pattern interferometry) or ESPI (electronic speckle pattern interferometry,) suitable adaptations apply for the depth scanning and for the analysis, accordingly.

[0054] Appropriate mounted accessories and measures may also be employed in conjunction with an image-flattening optics that only records a partial section of a curved surface, but otherwise, in accordance with panoramic optics RO, is integrated in the measuring device.

Claims

1. An optical measuring device having a 3-D measuring set-up for measuring the shapes of test object (O) surfaces in three dimensions, and having projection optics including an objective optics, the test object (O) being illuminated by a light source (SLD) via an illuminating beam using an illuminating optics, wherein the objective optics is designed as image-flattening optics for covering (measuring) and flattening a curved surface area or as panoramic optics (RO) for measuring a radially symmetric surface area that encircles 360°.

2. The measuring device as recited in claim 1, wherein the panoramic optics (RO) is designed such that the covered surface area is imaged as an intermediate image.

3. The measuring device as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein the panoramic optics (RO) or the image-flattening optics is designed such that the covered surface area is imaged in one plane, as a flattened image, directly on the image recorder (BA), or as a flattened intermediate image.

4. The measuring device as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the illumination optics, which includes the panoramic optics (RO) or the image-flattening optics and further optics, is designed such that the wavefront illuminating the test object (O) is adapted to the geometry of the surface area, so that the illuminating beams impinge normally upon the surface area.

5. The measuring device as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the panoramic optics (RO) or the image-flattening optics are designed to correspond to a wide-angle objective having an angular magnification that is substantially greater than one, and to a telecentric system; or the panoramic optics (RO) is designed as a normal-angle objective having an angular and linear magnification of one and a deflection set-up.

6. The measuring device as recited in claim 5, wherein the deflection set-up is designed as an axicon, in the form of a rotationally symmetric prism or as a rotationally symmetric mirror.

7. The measuring device as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the panoramic optics (RO) or of image-flattening optics are designed to include spherical, aspherical, or Grin lenses, rod lenses, diffractive optical elements, prisms, mirrors, or a combination of some or of all of these components.

8. The measuring device as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the 3-D measuring set-up is designed as an interferometric measuring set-up or as a measuring set-up that is based on the triangulation method.

9. The measuring device as recited in claim 8, wherein the interferometric measuring set-up is designed as a generally known, normal interferometer, heterodyne interferometer or white-light interferometer, which has a short-coherent light source (SLD).

10. The measuring device as recited in claim 9, wherein the white-light interferometer has an object arm (OA) in which the panoramic optics (RO) or the image-flattening optics are mounted and by way of which the illuminating beam runs at least partially, and a reference arm (RA) including a reference mirror (RSp); and the reference arm (RA) and the object arm (OA) extend such that they are spatially separate from one another, or are spatially integrated in one another in a common path configuration.

11. The measuring device as recited in claim 10, wherein optics similar or equivalent to the panoramic optics (RO) or to the image-flattening optics are employed in the reference arm (RA).

12. The measuring device as recited in claim 10 or 11, wherein the white-light interferometer is divided into a modulation interferometer (MI) and a probe interferometer (SI) that is coupled thereto via a fiber optics (FO) or a free-space optics, including the panoramic optics (RO) or the image-flattening optics.

13. The measuring device as recited in one of claims 9 through 12, wherein a relative change in the optical path length between the object light path and the reference light path is accomplished when working with the white-light interferometer, by moving a reference plane (RSp), by moving the object, by moving the interferometer, by changing the optical path length in the reference arm (RA) using an acoustooptical modulator or by depth scanning of the intermediate image (ZW).

14. The measuring device as recited in one of claims 9 through 13, wherein an optics assembly, which is rigid in relation to the test object (O), is located in the object arm (OA) and is followed by an optics assembly which is movable in the direction of its optical axis.

15. The measuring device as recited in claim 14, wherein the rigid optics assembly is designed fully or partially as an endoscope.

16. The measuring device as recited in claim 14 or 15, wherein the rigid optics assembly is part of an optics assembly that generates the intermediate image (ZW).

17. The measuring device as recited in one of claims 14 through 16, wherein the rigid optics assembly is part of the image-flattening optics or pf the panoramic optics (RO).

18. The measuring device as recited in one of claims 14 through 17, wherein the rigid optics assembly forms images of the test object (O) toward infinity.

19. The measuring device as recited in one of claims 9 through 18, wherein an image of the reference plane (RSp) of the reference arm (RA) lies in the depth of focus range of the panoramic optics (RO) or of the image-flattening optics.

20. The measuring device as recited in claim 19, wherein the image of the reference plane (RSp) lies in the image plane of the panoramic optics (RO) or of the image-flattening optics.

21. The measuring device as recited in claim 19 or 20, wherein in response to movement of the movable optics assembly, the image of the reference plane (RSp) moves synchronously with the image plane of the panoramic optics (RO) or of the image-flattening optics.

22. The measuring device as recited in one of claims 14 through 21, wherein the rigid optics is designed as panoramic optics (RO) or as image-flattening optics, which are used to generate at least one intermediate image that is rigid with respect to the test object (O); and an objective optics that follows behind the rigid intermediate image in the optical path of rays is designed as a movable optics assembly that is movable in the direction of its optical axis, for scanning the intermediate image (ZW) that is aligned normally to this axis, in the depth direction, and for imaging the same on the image recorder (BA) directly or by way of one or more intermediate images.

23. The measuring device as recited in claim 22, wherein the intermediate image (imaging device) has the same linear magnification (image scale) for all object points imaged in the intermediate image.

24. The measuring device as recited in claim 23, wherein the rigid optics assembly is designed as a 4f array.

25. The measuring device as recited in one of claims 9 through 24, wherein at least two panoramic optics (RO) or image-flattening optics are provided and designed such that a flattened image or intermediate image (ZW) is able to be produced simultaneously from at least two surface regions, a reference plane being provided in the reference arm (RA), and the images or the intermediate images being analyzed in time succession, or a number of assigned reference planes corresponding to the number of panoramic optics (RO) or image-flattening optics being provided, and the analysis taking place synchronously.