Moving beam with respect to diffractive optics in order to reduce interference patterns
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system, comprising:
- a source of radiation configured to produce at least a substantially coherent beam;
a stationary angular distribution changing element; and
a rotating optical element that is configured to (a) receive the substantially coherent beam from the source of radiation and (b) direct the received substantially coherent beam to reflect from the angular distribution changing element to form an incoherent beam,wherein the substantially coherent beam is directed at varying angles or positions onto the angular distribution changing element based on a rotation speed of the rotating optical element, the angles varying as a function of time.
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Abstract
A system and method are used to form incoherent beams from at least a partially coherent beam, such that interference or speckle patterns are substantially eliminated. A rotating optical element directs the partially coherent beam to reflect from an angular distribution changing element to form an incoherent beam. The partially coherent beam can be directed at varying angles or positions onto the angular distribution changing element through rotation of the rotating optical element. The angles can vary as a function of time.
55 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a source of radiation configured to produce at least a substantially coherent beam; a stationary angular distribution changing element; and a rotating optical element that is configured to (a) receive the substantially coherent beam from the source of radiation and (b) direct the received substantially coherent beam to reflect from the angular distribution changing element to form an incoherent beam, wherein the substantially coherent beam is directed at varying angles or positions onto the angular distribution changing element based on a rotation speed of the rotating optical element, the angles varying as a function of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A laser that outputs an incoherent output beam, comprising:
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a source of radiation configured to produce at least a substantially coherent beam; a stationary angular distribution changing element; and a rotating optical element that is configured to (a) receive the substantially coherent beam from the source of radiation and (b) direct the received substantially coherent beam to reflect from the angular distribution changing element to form the incoherent output beam, wherein the substantially coherent beam is directed at varying angles or positions onto the angular distribution changing element based on a rotation speed of the rotating optical element, the angles varying as a function of time. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An illuminator that outputs an incoherent illumination beam, comprising:
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a source of radiation configured to produce at least a substantially coherent beam; a stationary angular distribution changing element; and a rotating optical element that is configured to (a) receive the substantially coherent beam from the source of radiation and (b) direct the received substantially coherent beam to reflect from the angular distribution changing element to form the incoherent illumination beam, wherein the substantially coherent beam is directed at varying angles or positions onto the angular distribution changing element based on a rotation speed of the rotating optical element, the angles varying as a function of time. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system, comprising:
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a source of radiation configured to produce at least a substantially coherent beam; an angular distribution changing element; and a rotating optical element that is configured to, receive the substantially coherent beam from the source of radiation, direct the received substantially coherent beam to reflect from the angular distribution changing element to from in an incoherent beam, wherein the substantially coherent beam is directed at varying angles or positions onto the angular distribution changing element based on a rotation speed of the rotating optical element, the angles varying as a function of time, receive the incoherent beam from the angular distribution changing element, and direct the incoherent beam for formation of an illumination beam. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. A system, comprising:
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a source of radiation configured to produce at least a substantially coherent beam; a stationary angular distribution changing element; and a rotating optical element that is configured to (a) receive the substantially coherent beam from the source of radiation and (b) direct the received substantially coherent beam to reflect from the angular distribution changing element to form an incoherent beam, wherein the substantially coherent beam is directed at varying angles or positions onto the angular distribution changing element based on a rotation speed of the rotating optical element, the angles varying as a function of time, and wherein the incoherent beam comprises a plurality of sub-copies of the substantially coherent beam generated by the stationary angular distribution changing element.
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Specification