Photon momentum sensor

US10234309B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce · US

Inventors

• Alexandra Brea Artusio-Glimpse · Boulder, US
• John Henry Lehman · Boulder, US
• Michelle Sharon Eisgruber Stephens · Boulder, US
• Nathan Andrew Tomlin · Boulder, US
• Paul Andrew Williams · Erie, US
• Ivan Ryger · Boulder, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 12, 2017
• Grant date: Mar 19, 2019
• Expiry date: Jun 12, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01J1/56
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A photon momentum sensor includes: a reflector plate that includes: a central disk including a mirror; an annular member; a plurality of spring legs interposed between the central disk and the annular member, such that: the spring legs are interleaved; neighboring spring legs are spaced apart; and the spring legs individually are arranged in an Archimedean spiral that provides orthogonal motion of the central disk relative to the plane of the annular member; and a bias plate disposed opposing the reflector plate such that: the central disk of the reflector plate moves orthogonally to a plane of the bias plate in response to reflection of laser light, and the central disk and the bias plate are arranged spaced apart as a capacitive structure.