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3-Dimensional vision system utilizing coherent optical detection

  • US 5,114,226 A
  • Filed: 09/28/1990
  • Issued: 05/19/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A vision system for determining characteristics of a target comprising:

  • optical source means for providing a source light beam which is linearly polarized in a first orientation;

    beam splitter means for splitting said source beam into a target beam and a reference beam both of which are linearly polarized in said first orientation;

    quarter wave plate means for converting said target beam to circular polarization in a first rotational direction and directing said target beam toward the target, and for receiving a return light beam reflected from said target which is circularly polarized in a second rotational direction opposite to said first rotational direction, said quarter wave plate means converting said return light beam to linear polarization in a second orientation perpendicular to said first orientation;

    retroreflector means for converting said return light beam which is linearly polarized in said second orientation to linear polarization in said first orientation and for reflecting said return beam;

    detector means for optical heterodyne detection of said reference and return beams which are both linearly polarized in said first orientation, and for providing an output signal including information about saidscanning means for scanning said target beam across said target; and

    processing means for controlling said scanning.

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