Patent · US Active

Step-scanning sensing beam for imaging interferometer

US10323924B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
0References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 14, 2018
Grant dateJun 18, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 14, 2038

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01B11/14
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In interferometer imaging signal acquisition using a movable optical beam to sample a target with specular or non specular reflecting surfaces or internal features, beam moving during interferometer signal acquisition can generate unwanted phase error due to shifting speckle field. Examples include coherent LIDAR, Interferometry Doppler sensing and optical coherence tomography. During an interferometer signal acquisition period, an interferometer sensing beam can be substantially stationary, and active step-scanning can be synchronized with interferometer signal acquisition cycles. For interferometers using repetitive chirping lasers, passive dispersive counter-scan mechanisms can be used to assist step-scanning operation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.