Strain-stabilized birefringent crystal
US6437916B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S359/90
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides an optical system for use in a stable, temperature-insensitive birefringent crystal interferometer (BCI). The optical system includes a first block of light transmissive birefringent material having an input port and an output port, the material having in the spectral region of desired device operation a net retardance at a first temperature, and straining means for inducing a strain in one of the first block and a second block of light transmissive material optically coupled to the first block, the strain induced for maintaining the net retardance substantially unchanged from the net retardance at least a second other temperature. Advantageously, the optical system uses a single variety of crystal, which is cheaper, more robust, and has better performance than BCIs having two crystal varieties.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.