Spectrally Controlled Illuminator and Method of Use Thereof
First Claim
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1. An optical spectrum equalizer for modifying the spectral distribution of an output beam of a source of optical radiation, the optical spectrum equalizer comprising:
- one or more optical filters arranged in series in the path of the source, at least one filter defining a spatially-varying Area Weighted Transmission (AWT);
the position of at least one filter relative to the path of the source beam being adjustable;
the filters together, as a whole, modifying the spectrum of the source beam by reducing the relative power in the source beam at one or more of its wavelengths.
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Abstract
An optical spectrum equalizer and method, for modifying the output of a source of optical radiation. One or more optical filters are arranged in series in the path of the source. At least one filter defines a spatially-varying filter function. The position of at least one filter relative to the source is adjusted so that the filters together, as a whole, equalize the source spectrum by reducing the relative power of the source output at one or more of its wavelengths.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. An optical spectrum equalizer for modifying the spectral distribution of an output beam of a source of optical radiation, the optical spectrum equalizer comprising:
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one or more optical filters arranged in series in the path of the source, at least one filter defining a spatially-varying Area Weighted Transmission (AWT); the position of at least one filter relative to the path of the source beam being adjustable; the filters together, as a whole, modifying the spectrum of the source beam by reducing the relative power in the source beam at one or more of its wavelengths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An equalized source of optical radiation, comprising:
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a source of optical radiation that has a relatively wide wavelength spectral band with an uneven distribution of power at different wavelengths within the band such that the power at one or more wavelengths is greater than the power at some of the other wavelengths, the source emitting a beam of optical radiation; one or more optical filters arranged in series in the path of the source beam, at least one filter defining a spatially-varying Area Weighted Transmission (AWT); a device for physically moving at least one filter relative to the source beam; the filters together, as a whole, modifying the source spectrum by reducing the relative power in the source beam at one or more of its spectral band wavelengths.
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28. A method of modifying the output beam of a source of optical radiation, comprising:
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providing one or more optical filters arranged in series in the path of the source beam, at least one filter defining a spatially-varying Area Weighted Transmission (AWT); providing a device for adjusting the position of at least one filter relative to the source beam; wherein the filters together, as a whole, modify the spectrum of the source beam by reducing the relative power in the source beam at one or more of its wavelengths. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of providing an equalized source of optical radiation, comprising:
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providing a source of optical radiation that has a relatively wide wavelength spectral band with an uneven distribution of power at different wavelengths within the band such that the power at one or more wavelengths is greater than the power at some of the other wavelengths; determining the desired equalized spectrum; determining the distribution of power at different wavelength bands of the source; providing a plurality of optical filters arranged in series in the path of the source beam, at least one filter defining a spatially-varying Area Weighted Transmission (AWT); providing a device for physically moving at least one filter relative to the source beam; and moving one or more of the filters such that together the filters modify the source radiation to the desired spectrum.
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Specification