System and method for measuring physical stimuli using vertical cavity surface emitting lasers with integrated tuning means
US6836578B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 28, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4206
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical sensor diagnostic system utilizes a tunable Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) that incorporates an integrated MEMS tuning mechanism provides variable wavelength light into an optical fiber with improved wavelength scanning speed and greater simplicity of construction. Sensors, such as Bragg gratings, are disposed along the fiber in the light path. Each sensor reflects or transmits light exhibiting a characteristic amplitude and/or phase feature with respect to wavelength, the wavelength position of which is affected by an environmental stimulus imposed thereon. The light reflected or transmitted through each sensor is mixed with light passed through an optical reference path and then converted to an electrical signal by a simple detector and monitored by ciruitry that applies signal processing to the detected power spectral distribution, by this means providing output signals indicative of the environmental stimulus on each sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.