Liquid crystal interferometer
First Claim
1. An interferometer, comprising:
- a beam splitter for dividing a first optical signal into second and third optical signals;
a first array of liquid crystals through which said second optical signal passes, each said liquid crystal having an index of refraction which may be modulated;
a first mirror for directing said second optical signal array to said beam splitter;
a second array of liquid crystals through which said third optical signal passes, each said liquid crystal having an index of refraction which may be modulated;
a second mirror for directing said third optical signal to said beam splitter where said second and third optical signals are combined to form a fourth optical signal having an interference pattern;
a detector array for transforming said fourth optical signal into an electrical signal; and
first means for transforming said electrical signal into digital data representing said interference pattern and for independently modulating said indices of refraction of said liquid crystals comprising said first and second arrays of liquid crystals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interferometer employs liquid crystals to effect optical path length cges in a Michelson-type interferometer. A beam splitter divides a first optical signal into second and third optical signals. The second optical signal is directed through a first array of liquid crystals, and the third optical signal is directed through a second array of liquid crystals. Mirrors reflect the second and third optical signals back through the arrays to the beam splitter which combines them into a fourth optical signal having an interference pattern. A detector array transforms the fourth optical signal into an electrical signal. A processing circuit is used to modulate the indices of refraction of the liquid crystals to effectuate optical path length changes between the second and third optical signals. The data processor may also be employed to transform the electrical signal into digital data which may be analyzed to discern spectral characteristics of the first optical signal that are of interest.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. An interferometer, comprising:
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a beam splitter for dividing a first optical signal into second and third optical signals; a first array of liquid crystals through which said second optical signal passes, each said liquid crystal having an index of refraction which may be modulated; a first mirror for directing said second optical signal array to said beam splitter; a second array of liquid crystals through which said third optical signal passes, each said liquid crystal having an index of refraction which may be modulated; a second mirror for directing said third optical signal to said beam splitter where said second and third optical signals are combined to form a fourth optical signal having an interference pattern; a detector array for transforming said fourth optical signal into an electrical signal; and first means for transforming said electrical signal into digital data representing said interference pattern and for independently modulating said indices of refraction of said liquid crystals comprising said first and second arrays of liquid crystals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An interferometer, comprising:
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an array of liquid crystals for transforming a first optical signal into a second optical signal having an interference pattern, each said liquid crystal having an index of refraction which may be modulated; an array detector for transforming said second optical signal into an electrical signal; lens for focusing said second optical signal onto said array detector; and first means for independently modulating said indices of refraction of said liquid crystals. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for generating an interference pattern, comprising the steps of:
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dividing a first optical signal into second and third optical signals; directing said second optical signal through a first array of liquid crystals, each of said liquid crystals having an index of refraction; directing said third optical signal through a second array of liquid crystals, each of said liquid crystals having an index of refraction; independently modulating said indices of refraction of said liquid crystals comprising said first and second arrays; combining said second and third optical signals into a fourth optical signal having a waveform characterized by an interference pattern; and transforming said fourth optical signal into an electrical signal having a waveform representing said interference pattern. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for generating an interference pattern, comprising the steps of:
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directing a first optical signal through a first array of liquid crystals to transform said first optical signal into a second optical signal having an interference pattern, each of said liquid crystals having an index of refraction; independently modulating said indices of refraction of said liquid crystals; and transforming said second optical signal into an electrical signal having a waveform representing said interference pattern. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An interferometer, comprising:
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a beam splitter for dividing a first optical signal into second and third optical signals; first and second groups of liquid crystals configured into a first array for modulating the optical path length of said first optical signal, each said liquid crystal having an index of refraction which may be modulated; a first mirror for directing said second optical signal array to said beam splitter; a third group of liquid crystals configured into a second array for modulating the optical path length of said second optical signal, each said liquid crystal having an index of refraction which may be modulated; a second mirror for directing said third optical signal to said beam splitter where said second and third optical signals are combined to form a fourth optical signal having an interference pattern; a detector array for transforming said fourth optical signal into an electrical signal; and first means for transforming said electrical signal into digital data representing said interference pattern, and for modulating said indices of refraction of said liquid crystals comprising said first group to have a first value, and for modulating said indices of refraction of said liquid crystals comprising said second group to have a second value. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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32. A method for generating an interference pattern, comprising the steps of:
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directing a first optical signal through first and second groups of liquid crystals to transform said first optical signal into a second optical signal having an interference pattern, each of said liquid crystals having an index of refraction; modulating said indices of refraction of said liquid crystals comprising said first and second groups of liquid crystals; and transforming said second optical signal into an electrical signal having a waveform representing said interference pattern. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification