Focus sensing apparatus utilizing a reflecting surface having variable reflectivity
US5245174A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2007/0919
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for evaluation of radiation beam geometry that finds application in determining the focus of an illuminating beam relative to an optical disk is disclosed herein. In one preferred embodiment, a light source generates a linearly polarized beam which is collimated by a collimating lens. The collimated beam is then converged by an objective lens onto the surface of the optical disk. The disk reflects the illuminating beam focused thereon back through the objective lens to a beam splitter. A portion of the optical energy incident on the beam splitter is then redirected to form a servo beam, wherein the degree of collimation of the servo beam is indicative of the focus position of the illuminating beam. A beam separation module, based on frustrated total reflection, having a reflectivity which varies in response to the angle of incidence of optical energy thereon is positioned to intercept the servo beam. The beam separation module is operative to separate the servo beam into transmitted and reflected beams of substantially similar shape and intensity. Electrical signals produced by photodetective elements in response to incidence of the transmitted and reflected beams ther…
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