Tuning optical cavities

US7633629B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated · US

Inventors

• Peter Kiesel · Palo Alto, US
• Oliver Schmidt · Palo Alto, US
• Michael Bassler · Erlangen, DE
• Uma Srinivasan · Poughkeepsie, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 5, 2007
• Grant date: Dec 15, 2009
• Expiry date: Jun 27, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B26/001
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A tunable optical cavity can be tuned by relative movement between two reflection surfaces, such as by deforming elastomer spacers connected between mirrors or other light-reflective components that include the reflection surfaces. The optical cavity structure includes an analyte region in its light-transmissive region, and presence of analyte in the analyte region affects output light when the optical cavity is tuned to a set of positions. Electrodes that cause deformation of the spacers can also be used to capacitively sense the distance between them. Control circuitry that provides tuning signals can cause continuous movement across a range of positions, allowing continuous photosensing of analyte-affected output light by a detector.