Window contamination sensor for optical detection systems
US9096323B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 2014 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2021/945
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for detecting contamination of a window of an optical system includes a polarizing beamsplitter, a quarter waveplate, a photodetector, and a processor. The polarizing beamsplitter is configured to receive a laser beam having a first polarization and reflect the laser beam having the first polarization to the window. The photodetector is configured to sense a magnitude of reflections of the laser beam from the window having a second polarization, wherein the polarizing beamsplitter passes the reflections of the laser beam from the window having the second polarization to the photodetector. The processor is configured to determine a contamination level of the window based upon the magnitude of the reflections of the laser beam from the window.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.