Abstract A parametric optical system in which an object beam of a first frequency is combined within an optically nonlinear medium with a substantially planar optical pump beam of a second frequency to provide either an upconverted image at the sum (or difference) frequency or an amplified version of the object beam, depending upon the design of the nonlinear medium, characterized in that a first lens of a given focal length is positioned between the object and the nonlinear medium and spaced from each by a distance equal to said focal length; this lens serves as a Fourier transform mechanism wherein the Fourier transform plane of the object is located substantially in the center of the nonlinear medium; that is, an image that is the Fourier transform of the object is formed in the back focal plane of the lens at which focal plane the nonlinear medium is situated. Furthermore, a similar Fourier transform technique is used between the nonlinear medium and the observer or detecting device; that is, a second lens is positioned a focal length distant from both the nonlinear medium and the detecting device for generating the Fourier transform of the upconverted (or amplified) image of the medium. In this manner, the optical resolution is unlimited by the thickness of the nonlinear medium.
Inventors
👤 Arthur H Firester
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-26 11:50
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A parametric optical system comprising a pump source and an optically nonlinear medium responsive to electromagnetic energy of a first frequency from an object and to electromagnetic energy of a second frequency from said pump source for achieving parametric interaction therebetween, and a lens of focal length f positioned midway between said object and said medium at a distance f from said object and from said medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A parametric optical system comprising a pump source and an optically nonlinear medium responsive to electromagnetic energy of a first frequency from an object and to electromagnetic energy of a second frequency from said pump source for achieving parametric interaction therebetween, and a lens of focal length f positioned midway between said object and said medium at a distance f from said object and from said medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A parametric optical system as recited in claim 1 further including a detector means for detecting the image formed at said medium and a second lens positioned between said medium and said detector means and spaced from said medium and said detector by the focal length of said second lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A parametric optical system according to claim 1 wherein said interaction within said medium provides an upconverted image at the algebraic sum of the frequencies of said object energy and said pump energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A parametric optical system according to claim 2 wherein said interaction within said medium provides an upconverted image at the algebraic sum of the frequencies of said object energy and said pump energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A parametric optical system according to claim 1 wherein said interaction within said medium provides an amplified image at the frequency of said object energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A parametric optical system according to claim 2 wherein said interaction within said medium provides an amplified image at the frequency of said object energy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A parametric optical system as recited in claim 4 further including a filter positioned between said medium and said detector means for transmitting only energy at one of the two converted frequencies and to block energy at the pump frequency and at the other of said converted frequencies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A parametric optical system as recited in claim 6 further including a filter positioned between said medium and said detector means for transmitting only the amplified energy at the object frequency and to block passage of said pump energy and the converted energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A parametric optical system according to claim 1 wherein said lens serves to provide a Fourier transform of the object at a central transverse plane passing through said medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A parametric optical system according to claim 2 wherein said second lens provides a Fourier transform of the image at said medium at the location of said detector means.