Abstract A method and apparatus for analyzing traveling light waves is disclosed, the method and apparatus serving to decrease the effective rise time of information-containing modulations on a short duration light pulse whereby detection of the modulations is enhanced. The instant invention serves to initially sample the intensity of the light pulse at a plurality of different points along the spatially distributed waveform thereof. Separate signals are generated representative of each sampled intensity and each separate signal is stored for a respectively different time duration. The stored signals are then sequentially monitored by an electronic detection device. In effect, then, the instant invention comprises a real-time light sampler utilizing spatial chopping techniques so as to effectively increase the temporal resolution and decrease the effective rise time of modulations on the light pulse such that very rapid (e.g., nonlinear) optical phenomenon can be observed.
A method of increasing the effective rise time of modulations on a sort duration light pulse whereby detection of the modulations by a detector having a response time longer than the rise time of the modulations is enhanced, said method comprising the steps of sampling the intensity of the short duration light pulse at a plurality of different points along a spatially distributed waveform thereof; generating a separate signal representative of each sampled intensity; storing each separate signal for respectively different time periods of sufficient duration to enable sequential monitoring at a rate within the response time of the detector; and sequentially monitoring each such stored signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of increasing the effective rise time of modulations on a sort duration light pulse whereby detection of the modulations by a detector having a response time longer than the rise time of the modulations is enhanced, said method comprising the steps of sampling the intensity of the short duration light pulse at a plurality of different points along a spatially distributed waveform thereof; generating a separate signal representative of each sampled intensity; storing each separate signal for respectively different time periods of sufficient duration to enable sequential monitoring at a rate within the response time of the detector; and sequentially monitoring each such stored signal.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of enhancing detection of variations in intensity of a light pulse occurring at a faster rate than the inherent rise time of the detection equipment utilized, said method comprising the steps of sampling the instantaneous intensity of a spatially distributed light pulse during a plurality of successive, sequential periods; generating a signal during each sampling period representative of the instantaneous intensity of the light pulse; storing each generated signal for respectively different lengths of time of predetermined durations sufficient to enable sequential monitoring at a rate within the inherent rise time of the detection system; and sequentially monitoring each such stored signal.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of enhancing detection of variations in intensity of a light pulse occurring at a faster rate than the inherent rise time of the detection equipment utilized, said method comprising the steps of sampling the instantaneous intensity of a spatially distributed light pulse during a plurality of successive, sequential periods; generating a signal during each sampling period representative of the instantaneous intensity of the light pulse; storing each generated signal for respectively different lengths of time of predetermined durations sufficient to enable sequential monitoring at a rate within the inherent rise time of the detection system; and sequentially monitoring each such stored signal.