Target with diffractive elements for use with laser beam generating devices
US6622392B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 23, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C15/002
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A target for use with a laser generating device is disclosed which diffracts a reference laser beam of light directed to the target along an optical axis of the target to provide a diffracted beam of light offset from the optical axis which is more easily visible to a detector, such as a human eye. Preferably, the diffracted beam includes at least one lobe offset from the optical axis at least 40° and, further, is diffracted in a multi-lobe pattern. For example, the target body may include diffractive bodies either in the substrate forming the body or on a carrier member which is mounted to the target body. The diffractive bodies are dimensioned on the same order of magnitude as the wavelength of the light of the reference laser beam of light. Preferably, the diffractive bodies have a diameter in a range of approximately 0.1 microns to 5.0 microns, more preferably, 0.1 microns to 2.0 microns and, most preferably, 0.5 microns to 1.0 microns. The diffractive bodies may be formed by a colloidal suspension in the optical material or may be dispersed in the substrate forming the target body prior to molding.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.