Optical aperture device
US8687169B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2010 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03F7/7055
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical module includes an aperture device and a support structure supporting the aperture device. The aperture device defines an aperture edge and an aperture plane. The aperture edge is adapted to define a geometry of a light beam passing the aperture device along an optical axis. The support structure is adapted to hold the aperture device in a defined manner when the aperture plane is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. A temperature distribution prevails within the aperture device and at least one of the aperture device and the support structure is adapted to maintain at least one of a relative position of the aperture edge with respect to the optical axis and a geometry of the aperture edge substantially unaltered upon an introduction of a thermal energy into the aperture device, where the thermal energy being adapted to cause an alteration in the temperature distribution.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.