Dynamic refractometer
US7456942B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/43
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A refractometer computer controls the rotation of a rotary plate upon which are mounted a prism optically coupled via an optical window to a spectroscopic cell holding a resin exhibiting a dynamic refractive index during photocuring. The computer system positions the prism and spectroscopic cell relative to a visible light laser which illuminates the prism-resin interface at selected incidence angles. A photodetector mounted on the plate generates a signal to the computer proportional to intensity of an internally reflected light beam. A curing light is selectively transmitted through the prism and into the photocurable resin. The refractometer determines the intensity of the internally reflected beam a selected incidence angles and determines the effective refractive index curve of the resin at an uncured state and, optionally, at a completely cured state. Next, an amount of uncured resin and selected optical components to be joined by the resin is placed in the spectroscopic cell and irradiated with the UV light. The refractometer is fixed at a selected incidence angle and measures the intensity of an internally reflected light beam of light throughout the cure cycle. The refract…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.