Dynamic light scattering homodyne probe

US6469787B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignees

• OHIO AEROSPACE INSTITUTE · US
• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• William V. Meyer · Lakewood, US
• David Cannell · Lompoc, US
• Anthony E. Smart · Brooks Road, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 3, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 22, 2002
• Expiry date: Apr 3, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N15/0205
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optical probe for analyzing a sample illuminated by a laser includes an input optical fiber operably connectable to the laser where the input optical fiber has an entrance end and an exit end. The probe also includes a first beam splitter where the first beam splitter is adapted to transmit an alignment portion of a light beam from the input fiber exit end and to reflect a homodyning portion of the light beam from the input fiber. The probe also includes a lens between the input fiber exit end and the first beam splitter and a first and a second output optical fiber, each having an entrance end and an exit end, each exit end being operably connectable to respective optical detectors. The probe also includes a second beam splitter which is adapted to reflect at least a portion of the reflected homodyning portion into the output fiber entrance ends and to transmit light from the laser scattered by the sample into the entrance ends.