Apparatus for generating an optical interference pattern
US6990272B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/02133
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for producing an interference pattern from an input optical beam, including a first optical element for separating the input optical beam into a plurality of divergent optical sub-beams and a second optical element including a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is optically coupled to the first optical element to receive at least two of the plurality of sub-beams. In addition, the second optical element is capable of redirecting via total internal reflection at least one of the sub-beams received at the first surface such that at least two sub-beams emerge from the second surface along respective paths intersecting one another outside the second optical element at a distance from the second surface. Advantageously, the use of total internal reflection in the second optical element for sub-beam redirection removes any requirement for a mirror to perform this function, results in only minimal power losses as the sub-beams reflect internally and the location at which they intersect is easily adjustable.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.