US3868168A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combination of birefringent elements for polarizing interferential systems
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1973-01-16
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1993-01-16
Abstract
Abstract Polarizing interferential systems having a light source, a compensator element, an object, and a beam splitter element in optical alignment which utilize only a single birefringent wedge in the compensator element and only a single birefringent wedge in the beam splitter element are useful for the study of objects exhibiting light amplitude and/or phase properties. By tilting either the optic axis with respect to the light system, the entire wedge or both, it is possible to eliminate the dual wedge elements of the prior art and have greater versitility in instrument design.
Inventors
- 👤 Veer Johannes D De
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/06; G02B21/08; G02B21/14; G02B27/00; G02B27/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
In a polarizing interferential system having a light source, a polarizer, a compensator element, an object, a beam splitter element and an analyzer, all in alignment along a center line, the improvement comprising said compensator element being a single birefringent crystalline first wedge having two converging planar surfaces intersecting the center line, said wedge having an optic axis, said beam splitter being a single birefringent crystalline second wedge having two converging planar surfaces intersecting the center line, said second wedge having an optic axis, and said wedges being arranged to have at least three of the combination of said planar surfaces and optic axes oblique to the center line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a polarizing interferential system having a light source, a polarizer, a compensator element, an object, a beam splitter element and an analyzer, all in alignment along a center line, the improvement comprising said compensator element being a single birefringent crystalline first wedge having two converging planar surfaces intersecting the center line, said wedge having an optic axis, said beam splitter being a single birefringent crystalline second wedge having two converging planar surfaces intersecting the center line, said second wedge having an optic axis, and said wedges being arranged to have at least three of the combination of said planar surfaces and optic axes oblique to the center line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein both planar surfaces of one wedge are oblique to the center line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said one wedge is the beam splitter element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said one wedge is the compensator element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the optic axis of one wedge is oblique to the center line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein said one wedge is the beam splitter element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein said one wedge is the compensator element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein one wedge has the two planar surfaces oblique to the center line, the optic axis normal thereto, and is the compensator element; the other wedge has one planar surface normal to the center line, the optic axis oblique thereto, and is the beam splitter element; and both said wedges are quartz.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein compensator and beam splitter elements, each, further include a nonbirefringent, glass complementary wedge optically interfacially connected to one of said planar surfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2924142A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |