Dynamic lateral shearing interferometer
US5270792A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 1991 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03G7/066
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A parallel plate lateral shearing interferometer allows the shearing plate to oscillate through a small angle periodically causing the interference fringe pattern to translate on a display surface providing an indication of the direction of adjustment required to collimate a beam. At the point of exact collimation the interference pattern changes abrubtly to a blinking pattern of dark and light. In one embodiment the shearing plate is oscillated by a new kind of electronic translator that functions by thermal expansion and contraction, and in another embodiment the shearing plate moves as a pendulum. An alternative embodiment of the translator is also provided for non-oscillatory precision translations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.