Sensor array and method of selective interferometric sensing by use of coherence synthesis
US4818064A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S359/90
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor array and method for remotely monitoring environmental effects on a selected sensor. In a sensor array comprising a plurality of interferometers, an optical signal of a selected configuration is provided so that portions of the optical signal are propagated through the interferometers. The optical signal configuration causes optical signal portions which have traveled the same signal path, except where separated on signal paths in a selected interferometer, to coherently mix when combined at an output of the selected interferometer. No other optical signal portions in the sensor array will coherently mix. The optical signal comprises plural components such as side bands which are configured to form a power spectrum defining an optical signal coherence function having a maximum which repeats periodically at a rate substantially corresponding to optical signal travel time difference in the selected interferometer. Also, the coherence function has minimums or zero values at times such that intervals between various minimums substantially correspond to optical signal travel time differences through non-selected interferometers, thus precluding coherent mixing of optical signal…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.