Dichroic pentaprism for separating or combining frequency bands of electromagnetic energy
US5828497A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B27/1006
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system (50) for separating and combining frequency bands (64, 74, 78) from a beam (62) of electromagnetic energy adapted for use with a beam of white light (62) having a first (64), second (74) and third (78) frequency band. The inventive system (50) includes a first surface (58) for transmitting the first frequency band (64) and reflecting the second (70, 78) and third (70, 74) frequency bands. A second surface (60) reflects the second frequency band (74) and transmits the third (78) frequency band. A transparent support structure (52, 54, 56) supports the first surface (58) and the second surface (60) in a pre-determined orientation that provides for a low angle of incidence (66, 72) of electromagnetic energy impinging on the first surface (58) and the second surface (60) to minimize undesirable polarization effects. In a specific embodiment, the angle (66, 72) is 22.5 degrees. The predetermined orientation includes the first surface (58) angled with respect to the second surface (60) so that the first (64), second (74), and third (78) frequency bands have first (64), second (74), and third (78) separate paths respectively. In the illustrative embodiment, the support structure …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.