US4239392A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Grating output wavefront sampling system
Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1978-07-07
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Granted: 1980-12-16
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Expires: 1998-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A grating output wavefront sampling system having a plurality of weak gratings located on the last mirror of a beam expander utilized in conjunction with a quasi-monochromatic light source. The gratings diffract a portion of the projected beam of light to a plurality of wavefront sensors, one sensor being utilized for each grating. Knowledge of the direction of the diffracted beams obtained from the wavefront sensors give information about the direction of the projected beam by virtue of conventional grating equations and Hartmann-subaperture tilt analysis. Consequently, if the wavelength and grating spacing are known, tilt and wavefront accuracy of the projected ray or beam are readily attainable.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Pohle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/18; G02B5/1814; G01; G01J; G01J9/00; G02B27/00; G02B27/42; G02B27/4233; G02B27/4255
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A grating output wavefront sampling system comprising means for providing a quasi-monochromatic beam of light and a beam expander in optical alignment with said quasi-monochromatic beam of light, said beam expander having: (a) means in optical alignment with said beam of light for diverging and directing said beam of light, (b) means in optical alignment with said divergent beam of light for reflecting a portion of said beam of light, the wavefront of said reflected portion of said beam of light having tilt and wavefront accuracy characteristics associated therewith, means on said reflecting means for diffracting another portion of said beam, the wavefront of said diffracted portion of said beam of light having tilt and wavefront accuracy characteristics associated therewith, and (c) means in optical alignment with said diffracted portion of said beam of light for sensing said characteristics of said wavefront of said diffracted portion of said beam, said wavefront characteristics of said diffracted portion of said beam of light having a predetermined relationship with respect to said wavefront characteristics of said reflected portion of said beam of light whereby sensing said wavefront characteristics of said diffracted portion of said beam of light provides information about said wavefront characteristics of said reflected portion of said beam of light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A grating output wavefront sampling system comprising means for providing a quasi-monochromatic beam of light and a beam expander in optical alignment with said quasi-monochromatic beam of light, said beam expander having: (a) means in optical alignment with said beam of light for diverging and directing said beam of light, (b) means in optical alignment with said divergent beam of light for reflecting a portion of said beam of light, the wavefront of said reflected portion of said beam of light having tilt and wavefront accuracy characteristics associated therewith, means on said reflecting means for diffracting another portion of said beam, the wavefront of said diffracted portion of said beam of light having tilt and wavefront accuracy characteristics associated therewith, and (c) means in optical alignment with said diffracted portion of said beam of light for sensing said characteristics of said wavefront of said diffracted portion of said beam, said wavefront characteristics of said diffracted portion of said beam of light having a predetermined relationship with respect to said wavefront characteristics of said reflected portion of said beam of light whereby sensing said wavefront characteristics of said diffracted portion of said beam of light provides information about said wavefront characteristics of said reflected portion of said beam of light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A grating output wavefront sampling system as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflecting means is a concave primary mirror and said diverging and directing means is a convex secondary mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A grating output wavefront sampling system as defined in claim 1 wherein said diffracting means is in the form of a grating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A grating output wavefront sampling system as defined in claim 3 wherein said reflecting means is a concave primary mirror and said diverging and directing means is a convex secondary mirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A grating output wavefront sampling system as defined in claim 4 wherein said secondary mirror has an aperture therein, said aperture allowing said diffracted portion of said beam of light to pass therethrough and said sensing means being located adjacent said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A grating output wavefront sampling system as defined in claim 5 wherein said primary mirror has an aperture therein, said aperture being optically aligned with said means for providing said quasi-monochromatic beam of light thereby allowing said beam of light to pass therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A grating output wavefront sampling system as defined in claim 1 wherein said diffracting means is in the form of a plurality of different gratings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A grating output wavefront sampling system as defined in claim 7 wherein said reflecting means is a concave primary mirror and said diverging and directing means is a convex secondary mirror.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A grating output wavefront sampling system as defined in claim 8 wherein said secondary mirror has an aperture therein, said aperture allowing said diffracted portion of said beam of light to pass therethrough and said sensing means being located adjacent said aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A grating output wavefront sampling system as defined in claim 9 wherein said primary mirror has an aperture therein, said aperture being optically aligned with said means for providing said quasi-monochromatic beam of light thereby allowing said beam of light to pass therethrough.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3090279A
Cited
US3603690A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-16 | 1984-06-16 | 1984-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-16 | 1988-06-16 | 1988-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-16 | 1992-06-16 | 1992-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |