Birefringent interferometer
US6421131B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J3/2823
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A birefringent interferometer system is described which uses nematic liquid crystal cells to produce variable optical path differences (OPD) between light of different polarization states that are interfered at a polarizing analyzer. Fixed retarders may also be incorporated to extend the range of OPD. The interferometer provides wide field-of-view, continuously variable path difference over a large range, and an on-board monitor of OPD for ensuring accurate settings of path difference, and hence, an accurate wavelength scale in the spectra produced by the apparatus. The system can further incorporate additional polarizing optics so it responds equally well to light of any incident polarization state without loss of efficiency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.