Athermal interferometer
US6909511B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/29358
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus is described for controlling the optical path length in an optical device, e.g. an interferometer, and more importantly to maintaining the optical path length difference in an interferometer. The apparatus may include an adjustable plate optically coupled with a beamsplitter. The plate may be rotated such that its surface receives light propagated from the beamsplitter at a non-zero incident angle. In one embodiment, temperature sensitivity is addressed by ensuring that the refractive index of the plate is greater than the refractive index of the beamsplitter. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes combination spacers having a component selected in dependence upon a composition, thickness, and orientation of the adjustable plate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.