Interferometer calibration methods and apparatus

• US 7,212,292 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2006
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Van Brocklin, Andrew L., Martin, Eric T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr.; Gregory J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONNOLLY, PATRICK J
• Application Number:
  US11/426,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20060244975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 356/480, 356/519, 356/505, 356/516, 359/578, 359/579
• US Class Current: 356/519
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/0675 using interferometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/14 for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures G01B11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 9/02016 contacting two or more objects
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 9/02022 contacting one object by grazing incidence
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0693 Calibration of display systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/145 the light originating from the display screen
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3466 based on interferometric effect

Abstract

A Fabry-Perot (FP) interferometer includes substantially parallel first and second reflecting surfaces spaced apart by an optical gap between the first and second reflecting surfaces. The FP interferometer also has a mechanism for controlling the optical gap. The mechanism includes a plurality of electrostatic control plates. Each electrostatic control plate has a fixed control-plate area. Each control plate is adapted to control the optical gap by application of a control-plate voltage. The control-plate areas are related by integral ratios.

Claims

1. A Fabry-Perot interferometer, comprising:

a) substantially parallel first and second reflecting surfaces spaced apart by an optical gap between the first and second reflecting surfaces; and

b) means for controlling the optical gap, including a plurality of electrostatic control plates, each electrostatic control plate having a fixed control-plate area and each control plate being adapted to control the optical gap by application of a control-plate voltage, the control-plate areas being related by integral ratios.

2. The Fabry-Perot interferometer of claim 1, wherein the integral ratios by which control-plate areas of the control plates are related are powers of two.

3. The Fabry-Perot interferometer of claim 1, wherein the control plates of the plurality of control plates are disposed in a nested configuration.

4. The Fabry-Perot interferometer of claim 3, wherein the plurality of electrostatic control plates disposed in a nested configuration includes a round innermost control plate, and each control plate of the plurality of control plates except the round innermost control plate is annular.

5. The Fabry-Perot interferometer of claim 3, wherein the plurality of electrostatic control plates disposed in a nested configuration includes an outermost control plate, and each control plate except the outermost control plate is surrounded by another control plate.

6. An optical interference pixel display comprising a plurality of the Fabry-Perot interferometers of claim 5.

7. An optical interference pixel display comprising a plurality of the Fabry-Perot interferometers of claim 1.