US5128798A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Addressable wedge etalon filter
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-02-07
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Granted: 1992-07-07
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Expires: 2011-02-07
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is described for achieving wavelength selection. Furthermore, the apparatus exhibits very high wavelength resolution, stable operation and rapid returning. A bundle of multi-wavelength light, entering the device, is acoustooptically deflected. This is done by driving two orthogonal acoustic transducrs of the deflector with two suitable frequencies fx and fy. The light so deflected passes first through a wedge etalon having a taper along the X-axis and then through a second wedge etalon having a taper along the Y-axis. The pair of wedges forms two, single-cavity etalons. Depending on the choice of fx and fy, any wavelength within the wavelength range covered by the two, single-cavity etalons can be selected rapidly and accurately.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald F. Bowen
- 👤 Pierre A. Humblet
- 👤 Franklin F. Tong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:30
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/20; G02B5/28; G02B5/284; G02B5/285; G02B5/288; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/12; G01J3/1256; G01J3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
24 words
An optical filter, comprising: (a) a wedge etalon; and (b) acoustooptical deflector means for directing an incident beam of light to said wedge etalon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical filter, comprising: (a) a wedge etalon; and (b) acoustooptical deflector means for directing an incident beam of light to said wedge etalon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
An optical filter, comprising: (a) a first wedge etalon having a direction of maximum increase in thickness; and (b) a second wedge etalon having a direction of maximum increase in thickness, cascaded with respect to the first wedge etalon and oriented such that the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the second wedge etalon is not parallel to the direction of maximum increase in thickness of said first wedge etalon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
An optical filter, comprising: (a) a first wedge etalon having a direction of maximum increase in thickness; and (b) a second wedge etalon having a direction of maximum increase in thickness, cascaded with respect to the first wedge etalon and oriented such that the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the second wedge etalon is not parallel to the direction of maximum increase in thickness of said first wedge etalon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical filter of claim 2, wherein the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the first wedge etalon is approximately orthogonal to the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the second wedge etalon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus employing the optical filter of claim 2 to discriminate M wavelength channels wherein the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the first wedge etalon forms an angle α with respect to the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the second wedge etalon and the angle α is defined by the equation α=sin -1 (1/M 1/2 ).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
An optical filter, comprising: (a) a first wedge etalon having a direction of maximum increase in thickness; (b) directing means for directing an incident beam of light to the first wedge etalon; and (c) a second wedge etalon having a direction of maximum increase in thickness, cascaded with respect to the first wedge etalon and oriented such that the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the second wedge etalon is not parallel to the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the first wedge etalon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
An optical filter, comprising: (a) a first wedge etalon having a direction of maximum increase in thickness; (b) directing means for directing an incident beam of light to the first wedge etalon; and (c) a second wedge etalon having a direction of maximum increase in thickness, cascaded with respect to the first wedge etalon and oriented such that the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the second wedge etalon is not parallel to the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the first wedge etalon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical filter of claim 5, wherein the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the first wedge etalon is approximately orthogonal to the direction of maximum increase in thickness of said second wedge etalon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus employing the optical filter of claim 5 to discriminate M wavelength channels wherein the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the first wedge etalon forms an angle α with respect to the direction of maximum increase in thickness of the second wedge etalon and the angle α is defined by the equation α=sin -1 (1/M 1/2 ).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical filter of claim 5, wherein the directing means includes an acoustooptical deflector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical filter of claim 5, wherein the directing means includes an electro-optical deflector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical filter of claim 5, wherein the directing means includes a micro mirror device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The optical filter of claim 5, wherein the first wedge etalon has a front surface and wherein the directing means includes means for directing the incident beam of light onto a plurality of distinct locations on the front surface of the first wedge etalon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical filter of claim 11 wherein the plurality of distinct locations are arranged in a matrix.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-07 | 1996-01-06 | 1996-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-07 | 2000-01-06 | 2000-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-07 | 2004-01-06 | 2004-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |