Abstract:
The invention concerns an optical detection system for coherence mapping of a field of view wherein the received light is separated into a plurality of pixels and interference means process, the light from each pixel as a function of path difference, to provide parameters characteristic of the coherence function for each pixel. A coherence image may be displayed. The interference means may comprise a Michelson interferometer with one stepped mirror, or an array of interference modules, such as Fabry Perot elements.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for sensing electric and electromagnetic fields incorporating a transducer (30) which mounts directly on an optical fiber (20). The transducer (30) employs a conductive Fabry-Perot microcavity bounded by a conductive, thin and corrugated diaphragm (134). When the conductive microcavity is placed in an electric field, the electric field is excluded from within the equipotential microactivity and a net electrostatic force acts on the diaphragm. Likewise, when the conductive microcavity is exposed to an electromagnetic wave, the wave exerts a radiation pressure on the diaphragm. In both cases, the diaphragm (134) deflects linearly and uniformly under the influence of the extremely low electrostatic pressures which are induced. The diaphragm (134) deflection modulates the reflectance within the optical fiber (20) by varying the gap (f) of the cavity. The change in reflected light is measured and correlated to the field strength using an improved dual-wavelength referencing technique.
Abstract:
An arrangement for determining the wavelength of light beams in a medium or the refractive index of the medium comprises at least two stationary measuring bodies (11a, 11b, 11c) of different length each of which determines a different geometric path for two partial beams produced by a beam splitter. One partial beam (f2) of a pair of such partial beams travels along a path (d1, d2, d3) in the medium determined by the corresponding measuring body (11a, 11b or 11c). Two light beams of different frequency (f1, f2) are provided. One partial beam of each pair of partial beams is produced from the light beam of frequency (f1), and the other partial beam of each pair of partial beams is produced from the light beam of the other frequency (f2). A photoelectric detector (17) determines the phase relation of the interference fluctuations of each emergent light beam (15a-c) formed by recombination and superposition of the two partial beams of each pair of partial beams. This phase relation is an index of the difference in optical path of each partial beam of a pair of partial beams.
Abstract:
A light beam (6) is applied to a waveguide (3) in order to measure properties of the beam (6), e.g. the wavelength. According to the invention, the waveguide (3) has locally and/or time-varying resonances, e.g. by suitably designed grid couplers (4, 5). A light signal (7) is thus generated in the waveguide (3) as a direct measurement of the property to be measured and can be further processed by suitable means or evaluated. It is thus possible, for example, advantageously to produce a simple and inexpensive spectrometer.
Abstract:
A device for carrying out spectroscopic measurements based on the principle of interferometry has a matrix of photodetectors. A plurality of interferometers consist each of two partially transparent parallel mirrors arranged in a rectangular matrix so that the mirrors of as many interferometers as possible be mutually separated by different distances. As many different reflection phase positions as possible are thus obtained in the matrix for each measured wavelength. The different distances are distributed as uniformly as possible in a range between the smallest and largest distance. The matrix (9) of photodetectors is arranged behind the interferometers so that at least one photodetector be associated to each interferometer to receive the light (8a) to be measured that perpendicularly hits the interferometers. A device for converting the output signals of the matrix (9) of photodetectors is provided to represent the spectrum.
Abstract:
A solid-block homodyne Doppler interferometer utilizing continuous-wave or pulse-wave light beam technology. The invention eliminates the need for individually supported mirrors and beamsplitters. In lieu of such beamsplitters, a glass prism block is used having two 90 degree prisms and an etalon.
Abstract:
In a optical detection system a plurality of photo-diode detectors are placed in an enclosure. The enclosure has an aperture through which is directed a light beam to be analysed. To eliminate the effect which ambient light entering the aperture would have one the detector signals, each of the detectors are arranged to be at equal distances from the aperture so that they all have the same acceptance cone angle for the light entering the aperture. Thus the ratio of signal to ambient light in the portion of the light beam reaching each detector is the same and the d.c. component of the signal produced by the detector can be easily removed in the signal conditioning electronics. The equal spacing of the detectors from the aperture is achieved in accordance with the invention by using beam splitters in the path of the beam to deflect portions of the beam to detectors which are offset from the beam axis.
Abstract:
In forensic science it may be necessary to distinguish between two photoluminescent sources which emit radiation at similar, but different, wavelengths, or to distinguish between reflected light from surface regions which reflect light at different characteristic wavelengths. Examples of such sources or surfaces are inks on documents and treated latent fingerprints. The prior art technique for distinguishing such sources or regions involves the systematic use of a large number of narrow band pass interference filters. The present invention uses a single interference filter (17, 14) which is tilted to alter the wavelength of the peak radiation transmitted by the filter. If photoluminescent sources are to be distinguished, the filter may be placed between the sources and a monitor (10) of their emitted radiation, or between an illumination lamp (13) and the sources. An angle of tilt of the filter is selected so that radiation from at least one source is rejected while the intensity of radiation from a wanted source is optimised. If a reflecting surface is to be distinguished, the tiltable filter (14) is positioned between an illumination lamp (13) and the surfaces and an angle of tilt is found so that the illuminating light has a wavelength equal to the characteristic reflecting wavelength of an unwanted surface, so that, to an observer, the unwanted surface merges with the background.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a double-beam interferometer (1) for electromagnetic radiation and a method for the compensation of dispersion or increase in the spectral resolution of such an interferometer. Using a polarizer (8), which is brought into the optical radiation path, a defined polarization state P1/2 is produced for the electromagnetic partial waves flowing into the arms of the interferometer. This polarization state is wavelenght-independent and can vary for both partial beams. Optical elements (11, 12) modify the polarization state P1/2 of the electromagnetic partial waves as a function of wave-length lambda and each spectral component lambda i is coded with a polarization P1/2 ( lambda i). An analyzer (9), fitted to the output of the interferometer, transmits an adjustable polarization state Pdet, whereby an additional wavelength-dependent phase difference gamma ( lambda ) occurs between the partial waves of the spectral components. gamma ( lambda ) can be adjusted to obtain compensation of dispersion or an increase in the spectral resolution of the interferometer.
Abstract:
An optical wavelength sensor consists of a wedge shaped Fabry Perot etalon (4) which exhibits resonance for different optical wavelengths across its width (X), and an array of detectors xn that detects the spatial disposition of resonant peaks which occur in the etalon, for comparison with stored peak patterns in a processor (6), so as to determine the spectral content of the incident light from an optical fibre (2).