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APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IN-FLIGHT DETECTION OF AIRBORNE WATER DROPLETS AND ICE CRYSTALS

  • US 20100110431A1
  • Filed: 11/05/2008
  • Published: 05/06/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An airborne water droplet and ice crystal sensor, comprising:

  • an illumination portion comprising;

    a first optical beam emitter configured to output a light beam;

    a first linear polarizer configured to receive the light beam and output a linearly polarized illuminating beam;

    a first circular polarization element configured to receive the linearly polarized illuminating beam and output a circularly polarized illuminating beam; and

    a detection portion comprising;

    a window configured to permit circularly polarized backscattered light to pass therethrough;

    a second circular polarization element configured to receive the circularly polarized backscattered light that has passed through the window and output linearly polarized backscattered light;

    a first polarizing beam splitter configured to split the linearly polarized backscattered light into a first component linearly polarized backscattered light and a second component linearly polarized backscattered light;

    a first light detector configured to detect the first component linearly polarized backscattered light and output a first signal in response thereto; and

    a second light detector configured to detect the second component linearly polarized backscattered light and output a second signal in response thereto.

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