Patent · US Expired

Stepped etalon

US6926841B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
5References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 21, 2001
Grant dateAug 9, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 12, 2022

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.