Multidirectional retroflector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A multi-directional retroreflector comprising:
- a first mirror;
a first retroreflector, wherein the first mirror is positioned to reflect a light beam onto the first retroreflector and wherein the optical path length to the first retroreflector from the first mirror is equal to the optical path length from the first retroreflector to a virtual position; and
a second retroreflector, wherein the second retroreflector is positioned at the virtual position or is positioned away from the virtual position at a position that has the same optical path length as the optical path length to a second mirror.
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Abstract
Multidirectional retroreflectors and methods of reflecting light beams from multiple directions are provided. The multidirectional retroreflectors utilize a four-mirror retroreflector with a common virtual reflection point.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A multi-directional retroreflector comprising:
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a first mirror;
a first retroreflector, wherein the first mirror is positioned to reflect a light beam onto the first retroreflector and wherein the optical path length to the first retroreflector from the first mirror is equal to the optical path length from the first retroreflector to a virtual position; and
a second retroreflector, wherein the second retroreflector is positioned at the virtual position or is positioned away from the virtual position at a position that has the same optical path length as the optical path length to a second mirror. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A multi-directional retroreflector comprising:
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a mirror;
a retroreflector, wherein the mirror is positioned to reflect a light beam onto the first retroreflector and wherein the optical path length to the first retroreflector from the first mirror is equal to the optical path length from the first retroreflector to a virtual position; and
a cubic, spherical or cylindrical manifold, wherein the mirror and retroreflector are adjustably mounted to the manifold. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of reflecting one or more light beams from multiple directions comprising:
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reflecting a light beam off of a mirror and onto a retroreflector mounted on a manifold at a first position; and
moving the retroreflector to a second position on the manifold and reflecting a light beam off of beam off of the mirror and the retroreflector mounted at the second position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of reflecting one or more light beams from multiple directions comprising:
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reflecting a light beam off of a first mirror and onto a first retroreflector, wherein the optical path length to the first retroreflector from the first mirror is equal to the optical path length from the first retroreflector to a virtual position; and
reflecting a light beam off of a second retroreflector, wherein the second retroreflector is positioned at the virtual position or is positioned away from the virtual position at a position that has the same optical path length as the optical path length to a second mirror. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification