US4059359A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for quantizing radiation beams by optical diffraction
Assignee: Grumman Corp
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Filing: 1976-04-02
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Granted: 1977-11-22
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Expires: 1996-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and associated apparatus for quantizing radiation beams by optical diffraction including the steps of, and associated apparatus for, reflecting a majority of the energy in an incident radiation beam, optically diffracting portions of the non-reflected incident radiation beam to provide quantized radiation beam portions of reduced intensity, and individually detecting each of the quantized radiation portions. Advantageously, the detected radiation beam portions are converted to electrical signals which may be processed for display, as desired.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Walter Foster
- 👤 Charles L. Dunkerley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/42; G01J1/4257; G01K; G01K17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for quantizing a radiation beam, including the steps of: sampling discrete portions of an incident radiation beam with a diffraction matrix to eliminate a substantial portion of the energy of the incident radiation beam; optically diffracting on-axis the sampled portions of the incident radiation beam to provide quantized radiation beam portions of reduced intensity; and individually detecting the quantized radiation beam portions with a receiving plate having a plurality of sensors affixed thereto.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for quantizing a radiation beam, including the steps of: sampling discrete portions of an incident radiation beam with a diffraction matrix to eliminate a substantial portion of the energy of the incident radiation beam; optically diffracting on-axis the sampled portions of the incident radiation beam to provide quantized radiation beam portions of reduced intensity; and individually detecting the quantized radiation beam portions with a receiving plate having a plurality of sensors affixed thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method claimed in claim 1, including the step of: transforming the detected radiation beam portions to electrical signals; processing the electrical signals to provide information concerning the incident radiation beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method claimed in claim 1, including the step of: absorbing a portion of the incident radiation beam in the diffraction matrix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method claimed in claim 1, including the step of: reflecting a substantial portion of the incident radiation beam from the diffraction matrix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method claimed in claim 1, including the step of: scattering a substantial portion of the incident radiation beam from the diffraction matrix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method claimed in claim 1, including the step of: thermally isolating the detected quantized radiation beam portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method claimed in claim 1, including the step of: absorbing some of the incident radiation beam after the optical diffraction and prior to detection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 1, including the step of: integrating the quantized radiation beam portions.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of quantizing a laser beam, including the steps of: sampling with a diffraction matrix discrete portions of an incident laser beam to be quantized; absorbing a portion of the incident laser beam by the diffraction matrix during sampling thereof; optically diffracting on-axis the sampled portions of the incident laser beam to provide quantized laser beam portions of reduced intensity; absorbing some of the quantized laser beam after optical diffraction thereof; individually detecting the optically diffracted laser beam portions; transforming the detected quantized laser beam portions into electrical output signals; and processing the electrical signals representative of the quantized laser beam portions to provide information concerning the incident laser beam.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of quantizing a laser beam, including the steps of: sampling with a diffraction matrix discrete portions of an incident laser beam to be quantized; absorbing a portion of the incident laser beam by the diffraction matrix during sampling thereof; optically diffracting on-axis the sampled portions of the incident laser beam to provide quantized laser beam portions of reduced intensity; absorbing some of the quantized laser beam after optical diffraction thereof; individually detecting the optically diffracted laser beam portions; transforming the detected quantized laser beam portions into electrical output signals; and processing the electrical signals representative of the quantized laser beam portions to provide information concerning the incident laser beam.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for quantizing radiation beams, including the steps of: positioning a diffraction matrix in the path of a high energy radiation beam; eliminating a substantial portion of the energy of the incident radiation beam; absorbing some of the energy of the incident radiation beam in the diffraction matrix; optically diffracting portions of the incident radiation beam through the diffraction matrix to provide quantized radiation beam portions of reduced intensity; arranging detectors at a predetermined distance from the diffracting matrix to receive the quantized radiation beam portions therefrom; and transforming the quantized radiation beam portions into electrical signals.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for quantizing radiation beams, including the steps of: positioning a diffraction matrix in the path of a high energy radiation beam; eliminating a substantial portion of the energy of the incident radiation beam; absorbing some of the energy of the incident radiation beam in the diffraction matrix; optically diffracting portions of the incident radiation beam through the diffraction matrix to provide quantized radiation beam portions of reduced intensity; arranging detectors at a predetermined distance from the diffracting matrix to receive the quantized radiation beam portions therefrom; and transforming the quantized radiation beam portions into electrical signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method claimed in claim 10 in which the diffraction matrix includes a predetermined pattern of diffraction apertures, including the step of: arranging the detectors in a pattern compatible with the pattern of the diffraction apertures so that each detector receives a quantized radiation beam portion from a specific aperture of the diffraction matrix.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 11, including the step of: processing the electrical signals to provide information concerning the incident radiation beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 10, including the step of: thermally isolating each of the detectors from one another.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for quantizing a radiation beam, comprising: a diffraction matrix positioned in the path of a high energy radiation beam, said diffraction matrix having an incident surface for eliminating a substantial portion of the incident radiation and a plurality of diffraction apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern for quantizing and reducing the intensity of portions of the radiation beam transmitted therethrough; and a receiving plate spaced a predetermined distance from said diffraction matrix, said receiving plate having a plurality of sensors affixed thereto and arranged in a pattern compatible with the pattern of said diffraction apertures, so that each of said sensors receives radiation energy from only one of said diffraction apertures, said sensors converting the radiant energy received thereby to electrical signals.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for quantizing a radiation beam, comprising: a diffraction matrix positioned in the path of a high energy radiation beam, said diffraction matrix having an incident surface for eliminating a substantial portion of the incident radiation and a plurality of diffraction apertures arranged in a predetermined pattern for quantizing and reducing the intensity of portions of the radiation beam transmitted therethrough; and a receiving plate spaced a predetermined distance from said diffraction matrix, said receiving plate having a plurality of sensors affixed thereto and arranged in a pattern compatible with the pattern of said diffraction apertures, so that each of said sensors receives radiation energy from only one of said diffraction apertures, said sensors converting the radiant energy received thereby to electrical signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparartus claimed in claim 14, wherein: said diffraction matrix includes an energy absorbent coating on its rear surface; said receiving plate includes an energy absorbing coating on its incident surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 14, wherein: said receiving plate includes surface slots to lengthen the thermal paths between individual sensors and limit cross talk errors.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 14, wherein: said sensors include thermocouples affixed to said receiving plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 14, wherein: said diffraction matrix and said receiving plate are fixedly spaced relative to one another in a housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 14, including: signal processing means for processing the electrical signals generated by said sensors to provide information concerning the radiation beam.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process claimed in claim 19, wherein: said signal processing means includes a multiplexer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 20, wherein: said signal processing means includes an analog to digital converter coupled to said muliplexer and a digital computer coupled to said analog to digital converter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 14, wherein: said receiving plate integrates the received radiation energy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-11-21 | 1981-05-23 | 1981-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-21 | 1985-05-23 | 1985-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-21 | 1989-05-23 | 1989-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |