US4547044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Beam-folding wedge tunnel
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1983-03-31
•
Granted: 1985-10-15
•
Expires: 2003-03-31
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus forming a wedge shaped mirror tunnel makes the intensity distribution across a light beam uniform. A light beam is directed along a predetermined path through a cylindrical lens to focus the beam to a line at a particular point P. A plane mirror is placed along the predetermined path near point P so that the beam is folded onto itself. A plurality of cascaded optical means of this type, each stage of which comprises a focusing lens and a reflective surface, is used to achieve the beam uniformity needed for the chosen application. In each of the cascaded stages, the reflective surface is positioned at the appropriate angle to fold the beam upon itself.
Inventors
- 👤 Kantilal Jain
- 👤 Milton R. Latta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/09; G02B27/0927; G02B19/00; G02B19/0004; G02B19/0019; G02B19/0028; G02B19/0033; G02B19/0047; G02B27/0938; G02B27/0977; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for making uniform the intensity distribution across a light beam that is directed along a predetermined path comprising first beam folding optical means including first optical means to focus said beam into a first line at a point along said predetermined path, and first reflecting optical means positioned along said path near said point to intercept part of the beam so as to permit a portion of the beam to be transmitted along said path and to cause another portion of the beam to be reflected back into the transmitted portion to make the intensity distribution across the light beam uniform.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for making uniform the intensity distribution across a light beam that is directed along a predetermined path comprising first beam folding optical means including first optical means to focus said beam into a first line at a point along said predetermined path, and first reflecting optical means positioned along said path near said point to intercept part of the beam so as to permit a portion of the beam to be transmitted along said path and to cause another portion of the beam to be reflected back into the transmitted portion to make the intensity distribution across the light beam uniform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical reflecting means has the configuration substantially of a hollow cone with an internal reflecting surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical reflecting means is a member of expanding dimension downpath of the focal point and of substantially hollow polygonal cross-section with internal reflecting surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, including a plurality of first optical means and optical reflecting means arranged in cascading sets to provide sequentially reinforced transmitted beams of progressively narrower widths and a corresponding number of stages of reinforcement of their lower intensity edges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the successive sets of first optical means and optical reflecting means are arranged orthogonally relative to each other to maximize reinforcement in both orthogonal directions.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for making uniform the intensity distribution across a light beam that is directed along a predetermined path comprising first beam folding optical means including first optical means to focus said beam into a first line at a point along said predetermined path, first reflecting optical means positioned along said path near said point, and second reflecting optical means positioned at an angle to and along said path near said point to form a wedge tunnel between said first and second reflecting optical means, said first and second reflecting optical means combining to intercept part of the beam so as to permit one portion of the beam to be transmitted along said path and cause another portion of the beam to be reflected back into the transmitted portion to make the intensity distribution across the light beam uniform.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for making uniform the intensity distribution across a light beam that is directed along a predetermined path comprising first beam folding optical means including first optical means to focus said beam into a first line at a point along said predetermined path, first reflecting optical means positioned along said path near said point, and second reflecting optical means positioned at an angle to and along said path near said point to form a wedge tunnel between said first and second reflecting optical means, said first and second reflecting optical means combining to intercept part of the beam so as to permit one portion of the beam to be transmitted along said path and cause another portion of the beam to be reflected back into the transmitted portion to make the intensity distribution across the light beam uniform.
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) | 1988-10-14 | 1989-04-15 | 1989-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-14 | 1993-04-15 | 1993-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-14 | 1997-04-15 | 1997-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |