System and method for increasing signal-to-noise ratio in optical-based sensor systems
First Claim
1. A method comprising the steps of:
- passing a portion of an optical signal through an aperture of a sensor having a sensing element, wherein the portion of the optical signal that passes through the aperture is an inner portion of the optical signal and the portion of the optical signal that does not pass through the aperture is an outer portion of the optical signal;
producing a sensed signal by sensing the outer portion of the optical signal with the sensing element;
controlling the source of the optical signal using the sensed signal;
passing the inner portion of the optical signal through an optical isolation device, wherein the optical isolation device is a linear polarizer having a quarter-wave plate coupled thereto; and
detecting the inner portion of the optical signal with a detection element.
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Abstract
A method includes passing a portion of an optical signal through an aperture of a sensor having a sensing element, wherein the portion of the optical signal that passes through the aperture is an inner portion of the optical signal and the portion of the optical signal that does not pass through the aperture is an outer portion of the optical signal; producing a sensed signal by sensing the outer portion of the optical signal with the sensing element; and controlling the source of the optical signal using the sensed signal. A system for implementing the method includes an optical energy source and a sensor having an optical sensing portion and an aperture therein. The system may also include an optical isolator, a detection element, and a controller for controlling the optical energy source. The system may be used within a MEMS-based system.
26 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising the steps of:
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passing a portion of an optical signal through an aperture of a sensor having a sensing element, wherein the portion of the optical signal that passes through the aperture is an inner portion of the optical signal and the portion of the optical signal that does not pass through the aperture is an outer portion of the optical signal; producing a sensed signal by sensing the outer portion of the optical signal with the sensing element; controlling the source of the optical signal using the sensed signal; passing the inner portion of the optical signal through an optical isolation device, wherein the optical isolation device is a linear polarizer having a quarter-wave plate coupled thereto; and detecting the inner portion of the optical signal with a detection element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system comprising:
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an optical energy source configured to produce an optical signal having a power level; a sensor having an optical sensing portion and an aperture therein, the optical sensing portion configured to sense at least a portion of the optical signal that does not pass through the aperture; an optical isolator coupled to the sensor in the path of the optical signal, wherein the optical isolator is a linear polarizer having a quarter-wave plate coupled thereto; and a detection element located adjacent to the optical isolator in the path of the optical signal wherein the sensor is configured to produce a sensed signal by sensing the at least a portion of the optical signal that does not pass through the aperture with the optical sensing portion wherein the sensor is configured to transmit the sensed signal to the optical energy source and the optical energy source is configured to receive the sensed signal and use the sensed signal to control the power level of the optical signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A system comprising:
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an optical energy source configured to produce an optical signal; and a sensor operatively coupled to the optical energy source, the sensor having an optical sensing portion and an aperture therein, the sensor configured to sense a first portion of the optical signal and to allow a second portion of the optical signal to pass through the aperture; a controller operatively coupled to the sensor; an optical isolator coupled to the sensor in the path of the optical signal, wherein the optical isolator is a linear polarizer having a quarter-wave plate coupled thereto; and a detection element located adjacent to the optical isolator in the path of the optical signal wherein the sensor is configured to produce a sensed signal by sensing the first portion of the optical signal wherein the sensor is configured to transmit the sensed signal to the controller and the controller is configured to control the optical energy source based upon the sensed signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification