US4802736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Interferometers
Assignee: Plasmon Data Systems Inc
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Filing: 1986-02-25
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Granted: 1989-02-07
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Expires: 2006-02-25
Abstract
Abstract An interferometer which comprises: (1) a single, coherent light source; (2) a first converging lens positioned on the optical axis of said coherent light source; (3) a beam-splitting arrangement positioned on said optical axis and spaced from said first converging lens by a distance greater than the focal length of said lens; (4) a second converging lens positioned on said lens; (4) a second converging lens positioned on said optical axis to receive and to focus the two beams emanating in use from the beam-splitting arrangement; and (5) a mirror arrangement positioned so that the beams focussed by said second converging lens impinge on the mirror system and so that the reflected beams are brought to intersect at a focal point and with a large angle between the principal rays of the two beams.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith Gardner
- 👤 Robert J. Longman
- 👤 Robert M. Pettigrew
- 👤 Walter T. Welford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:36
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/24; G11B7/26; G11B7/261; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An interferometer which comprises: (1) a single, coherent light source; (2) a first converging lens positioned on the optical axis of said coherent light source; (3) means including a beam-splitting arrangement positioned on said optical axis and spaced from said first converging lens by a distance greater than the focal length of said lens, for providing two laterally spaced beams, (4) a second converging lens positioned on said optical axis to receive and to focus the two beams emanating from the beam-splitting arrangement; and (5) means including a mirror arrangement positioned so that the beams focused by said second converging lens impinge on the mirror arrangement, for reflecting said beams to intersect at a focal point with a large angle between the principal rays of the two beams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An interferometer which comprises: (1) a single, coherent light source; (2) a first converging lens positioned on the optical axis of said coherent light source; (3) means including a beam-splitting arrangement positioned on said optical axis and spaced from said first converging lens by a distance greater than the focal length of said lens, for providing two laterally spaced beams, (4) a second converging lens positioned on said optical axis to receive and to focus the two beams emanating from the beam-splitting arrangement; and (5) means including a mirror arrangement positioned so that the beams focused by said second converging lens impinge on the mirror arrangement, for reflecting said beams to intersect at a focal point with a large angle between the principal rays of the two beams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An interferometer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beam-splitting arrangement comprises a Wollaston double image prism and a polarising arrangement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An interferometer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said coherent light source is a laser generating light of wavelength of about 450 nm or less.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An interferometer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first converging lens has a focal length of about 40-50 mm and said second converging lens is a microscope objective lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An interferometer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the optical elements are arranged so that said reflected beams are brought to intersect at an angle of at least 45 degrees.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An interferometer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coherent light source is a laser generating light of wavelength of about 450 nm or less.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An interferometer as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first converging lens has a focal length of about 40-50 mm and said second converging lens is a microscope objective lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An interferometer as claimed in claim 3, wherein the optical elements are arranged so that said reflected beams are brought to intersect at an angle of at least 45 degrees.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An interferometer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first converging lens has a focal length of about 40-50 mm and said second converging lens is a microscope objective lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An interferometer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical elements are arranged so that said reflected beams are brought to intersect at an angle of at least 45 degrees.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An interferometer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said angle of intersection is 90 degrees or greater.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
207 words
An interferometer which comprises: a single, coherent light source; a first converging lens positioned on the optical axis of said coherent light sources; means including a beam-splitting arrangement positioned on said optical axis and spaced from said first converging lens by a distance greater than the focal length of said lens for splitting the light beam into two laterally spaced beams; a second converging lens positioned on said optical axis to receive and to focus the two beams emanating in use from the beam-splitting arrangement; means including a mirror arrangement positioned so that the beams focused by said second converging lens impinge on the mirror arrangement for reflecting said beams to intersect at a focal point with a large angle between the principal rays of the two beams; said beam-splitting arrangement comprising a Wollaston double image prism and a polarizing arrangement; said coherent light source constituting a laser generating light of wavelength of about 450 nm or less; said first converging lens having a focal length of about 40-50 mm and said second converging lens being a microscope objective lens; and said interferometer including means for arranging the optical elements so that said reflected beams are brought to intersect at an angle of at least 45 degrees.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
207 words
An interferometer which comprises: a single, coherent light source; a first converging lens positioned on the optical axis of said coherent light sources; means including a beam-splitting arrangement positioned on said optical axis and spaced from said first converging lens by a distance greater than the focal length of said lens for splitting the light beam into two laterally spaced beams; a second converging lens positioned on said optical axis to receive and to focus the two beams emanating in use from the beam-splitting arrangement; means including a mirror arrangement positioned so that the beams focused by said second converging lens impinge on the mirror arrangement for reflecting said beams to intersect at a focal point with a large angle between the principal rays of the two beams; said beam-splitting arrangement comprising a Wollaston double image prism and a polarizing arrangement; said coherent light source constituting a laser generating light of wavelength of about 450 nm or less; said first converging lens having a focal length of about 40-50 mm and said second converging lens being a microscope objective lens; and said interferometer including means for arranging the optical elements so that said reflected beams are brought to intersect at an angle of at least 45 degrees.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2601175A
Cited
GB1373011A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-02-07 | 1992-08-08 | 1993-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-07 | 1996-08-08 | 1997-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-07 | 2000-08-08 | 2001-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |