Method and apparatus for colinear acousto-optic RF spectrum analysis
US3988671A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 1975 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J3/18
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
There is disclosed a method and apparatus for radio frequency signal spectrum analysis wherein an acoustic wave having frequency components representative of those which exist in the radio frequency signal to be analyzed is derived from the signal and transmitted through an optically anisotropic crystal simultaneously and colinearly with a beam of polarized wide-band white light. The acoustic wave produces changes in the index of refraction of the crystalline material which result in diffraction of the plane of polarization of those frequency components of the light beam which bear a unique predetermined relationship to the frequency components present in the acoustic wave. The output of the crystal is then passed through a polarization analyzer to transmit only those frequency components which have been polarization diffracted. The light output of the polarization analyzer is applied to a grating or other means for dispersing the light output so that its various frequency components are deflected by varying amounts indicative of the frequency. The rays deflected from the grating or other dispersing means are then displayed in any suitable manner to provide a visually readable spec…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.