Dynamic optical phase state detector
US6147755A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J9/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dynamic instrument measures the state of optical phase of light and provides an output signal having a magnitude that varies linearly relative to the state of optical phase of a first light beam. It comprises means for generating an optical signal, means for generating a radio frequency (RF) signal that is responsive to the optical signal and the RF signal and provides a first light beam and a second light beam, at least one of which is shifted in frequency by an amount corresponding to the RF, an optical interferometer that allows the state of optical phase of the first beam to be changed and that interferometrically combines and heterodynes the changed first light beam and the second light beam, means responsive to the heterodyne signal and operative to produce an electrical signal at the optical beat frequency corresponding to the RF, and means responsive to the RF signal and the electrical signal for providing the linear output signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.