High-gain infrared collector and data node
US6064067A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J1/0422
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An infrared collector employs a concentrator formed of a plurality of spatially related gradient-indexed (GRIN) lenses and a photodetector, interconnected by optical fibers. Since the GRIN lenses are arranged on a hemispherical shell, the concentrator is relatively insensitive to the direction of the incoming infrared radiation. Optical fibers are used to connect the GRIN lenses to a photodetector, whereby assembly is simplified. The infrared detector in the collector of the present invention has a size that is significantly smaller than those used in conventional collectors. The concentrator has high optical gain, and therefore, is particularly well adapted for use in low-power portable systems. The arrangement is useful as a node in an infrared data network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.