Method and apparatus for tunable interferometer utilizing variable air density
US6867868B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 8, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/29395
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An air-density-tuned interferometer includes: a hermetically sealed enclosure; a front window coupled to the hermetically sealed enclosure; an interferometer residing within the hermetically sealed enclosure; and a pressure changing device coupled to the hermetically sealed enclosure. The interferometer within the enclosure includes: a first glass plate optically coupled to the front window; a first reflective coating coupled to the first glass plate; a second reflective coating optically coupled to the first reflective coating; a second glass plate coupled to the second reflective coating; and a plurality of spacers coupled to the first and second glass plates, forming an optical interometric cavity therein. The pressure changing device manipulates the gas pressure within the cavity. The air-density-tuned interferometer does not incorporate additional elements into the optical path within the interferometer and that does not disturb or move any of the optical components disposed within or associated with this optical path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.