Stepped etalon
US6500521B2 · kind B2 · utility
7Cited by
5References
3Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24545
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved stepped etalon comprises a transparent body having a stepped surface. The lands of the steps are separated by a non-abrupt or softened transition region. This reduces the diffraction of light caused by the step transitions, thereby reducing the dead spot behind the step transition portions where interference prevents accurate measurements of light transmission from being made. Methods for producing a smoothly stepped etalon and for smoothing the step transitions in an abruptly stepped etalon are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.