US4042302A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Broadband wavelength discriminator
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1976-03-10
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Granted: 1977-08-16
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Expires: 1996-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A broadband optical discriminator for determining the wavelength of received radiation which is in a narrow band is described. The received radiation is passed through a polarization spoiler, a linear polarizer, a polarization dispersion device, and a beam splitting polarizer forming two beams. The intensity of the two beams is converted into electrical signals. The electrical signals are processed to provide a signal indicative of the wavelength of the incident radiation.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Wentz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J4/00; G01J9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for determining the wavelength of incident narrow band radiation comprising the steps of: randomizing the orientation of the polarization of incident radiation and passing a portion of said randomized incident radiation through a linear polarizer; passing said incident radiation from said linear polarizer through and in the direction of the optic axis of a polarization dispersion device; forming a first and second output beam by passing a portion of said incident radiation after it exits from said polarization dispersion device through a beam splitting polarizer; detecting said first and second output beam to provide a first and second signal respectively indicative of the intensity of said first and second output beam; and processing said first and second signals to provide a third signal indicative of the wavelength of said incident radiation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for determining the wavelength of incident narrow band radiation comprising the steps of: randomizing the orientation of the polarization of incident radiation and passing a portion of said randomized incident radiation through a linear polarizer; passing said incident radiation from said linear polarizer through and in the direction of the optic axis of a polarization dispersion device; forming a first and second output beam by passing a portion of said incident radiation after it exits from said polarization dispersion device through a beam splitting polarizer; detecting said first and second output beam to provide a first and second signal respectively indicative of the intensity of said first and second output beam; and processing said first and second signals to provide a third signal indicative of the wavelength of said incident radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of processing said first and second signals includes the step of solving the equation V(λ) = (I y - I x )/(I y + I x ) where I y and I x are representative of said first and second signals respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of processing said first and second signals includes the step of processing said first and second signals to provide a fourth signal indicative of the rotation of the polarization axis of said incident radiation from said linear polarizer by passing said incident radiation through said polarization dispersion device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said step of processing said first and second signals includes the step of processing said fourth signal in accordance with the dispersion characteristics of said polarization dispersion device to provide said third signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for determining the wavelength of incident narrow band radiation comprising: means for randomizing the orientation of the polarization of incident radiation; a linear polarizer for passing a portion of said randomized incident radiation through said linear polarizer; a polarization dispersion device coupled to receive radiation from said linear polarizer in the direction of the optic axis of said polarization dispersion device; a beam splitting polarizer to form a first and second output beam coupled to receive radiation from said polarization dispersion device; means for detecting said first and second output beam to provide a first and second signal respectively indicative of the intensity of said first and second output beam; and means for processing said first and second signals to provide a third signal indicative of the wavelength of said incident radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for determining the wavelength of incident narrow band radiation comprising: means for randomizing the orientation of the polarization of incident radiation; a linear polarizer for passing a portion of said randomized incident radiation through said linear polarizer; a polarization dispersion device coupled to receive radiation from said linear polarizer in the direction of the optic axis of said polarization dispersion device; a beam splitting polarizer to form a first and second output beam coupled to receive radiation from said polarization dispersion device; means for detecting said first and second output beam to provide a first and second signal respectively indicative of the intensity of said first and second output beam; and means for processing said first and second signals to provide a third signal indicative of the wavelength of said incident radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said polarization dispersion device includes a rotatory dispersion device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said polarization dispersion device includes a retardation waveplate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said beam splitting polarizer forms said first and second output beams which are orthogonal polarization components of the received radiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for detecting said first and second output beams includes a silicon detector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for processing said first and second signals includes means for determining the rotation of the polarization of the radiation passing through said polarization dispersion device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2742818A
Cited
US3927945A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-15 | 1981-02-14 | 1981-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-15 | 1985-02-14 | 1985-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-15 | 1989-02-14 | 1989-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |