US6256102B1
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US
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Dual-beam low-coherence interferometer with improved signal-to-noise ratio
Assignee: University of Central Florida
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Filing: 1999-04-27
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Granted: 2001-07-03
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Expires: 2019-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A dual beam low coherence interferometer with improved signal to noise ratio. The interferometer directs both a collimated beam about a focused beam to a target. A detector detects the multiscattering from the target with a splitter where a reference arm with matched mirrors allows for measuring both the intensity and magnitude values of the beam to be measured. The intensity and magnitude values indicate the imaging of the target in applications such as OCT(optical coherence tomography) having medical imaging applications, while improving the signal to noise ratios. Other applications include material characterization in ceramics, composites and other granular material. Additionally, the interferometer can be used to image target defects such as inclusions, voids, cracks, and the like, in ceramics and other materials which scatter light.
Inventors
- 👤 Aristide Dogariu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B9/00; G01B9/02; G01B9/02015; G01B9/02017; G01B9/02019; G01B9/02001; G01B9/02002; G01B9/02027; G01B9/02034; G01B9/02035; G01B9/02083; G01B9/0209; G01B9/02091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A dual beam low-coherence interferometer with improved signal-to-noise ratio, comprising: means for generating a low coherence light source; means for splitting the light source into at least an outgoing signal and a reference signal; a waveguide for receiving the outgoing signal, the waveguide having a first lens for forming a collimated beam from the outgoing signal onto a target, and the waveguide having a second lens for forming a focused beam from the outgoing signal onto the target; a reference arm for receiving the reference signal, and having a first means for introducing a first modulated frequency, and a second means for introducing a second modulated frequency; and a detector for detecting a frequency value of the collimated beam and a frequency value of the focused beam from the target, wherein an image of the target can be formed by comparing the frequency value of the collimated beam from the target with the first modulated frequency, and comparing the frequency value of the focused beam from the target with the second modulated frequency without multiscattering signal noise effects.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A dual beam low-coherence interferometer with improved signal-to-noise ratio, comprising: means for generating a low coherence light source; means for splitting the light source into at least an outgoing signal and a reference signal; a waveguide for receiving the outgoing signal, the waveguide having a first lens for forming a collimated beam from the outgoing signal onto a target, and the waveguide having a second lens for forming a focused beam from the outgoing signal onto the target; a reference arm for receiving the reference signal, and having a first means for introducing a first modulated frequency, and a second means for introducing a second modulated frequency; and a detector for detecting a frequency value of the collimated beam and a frequency value of the focused beam from the target, wherein an image of the target can be formed by comparing the frequency value of the collimated beam from the target with the first modulated frequency, and comparing the frequency value of the focused beam from the target with the second modulated frequency without multiscattering signal noise effects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 1 , wherein the low coherence light source includes: a super luminescent diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 1 , wherein the first lens and the second lens each include: a convergent lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 3 , wherein the waveguide further comprises; a cylindrical waveguide having two refractive indices between the first convergent lens and the second convergent lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 1 , wherein the target includes: an image in a tissue medium, wherein the light source passes into the tissue medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 1 , wherein the target includes: a particle in a granular media, wherein the light source passes into the granular media.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 6 , wherein the granular media is chosen from at least one of: a ceramic and a composite.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 1 , wherein the target includes: a defect in a light scattering material medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 1 , wherein the splitting means includes: a 2×2 beam splitter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 1 , wherein the first means and the second means each include: a mirror.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
150 words
A dual beam low-coherence interferometer measuring head, comprising: a source for generating an optical signal; means for splitting the optical signal into at least an outgoing signal and a reference signal; waveguide means for generating coaxial beams from the outgoing signal to a subsurface target further comprising: means for forming a collimated beam; and means for forming a focused beam from the collimated beam a reference arm for receiving the reference signal, and having a first means for introducing a first modulated frequency, and a second means for introducing a second modulated frequency; and detector means for detecting a frequency value of each of the coaxial beams from the target, wherein an image of the target is detected by comparing each of the frequency values of the coaxial beams from the target with the first modulated frequency and with the second modulated frequency with an enhanced signal to noise ratio.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
150 words
A dual beam low-coherence interferometer measuring head, comprising: a source for generating an optical signal; means for splitting the optical signal into at least an outgoing signal and a reference signal; waveguide means for generating coaxial beams from the outgoing signal to a subsurface target further comprising: means for forming a collimated beam; and means for forming a focused beam from the collimated beam a reference arm for receiving the reference signal, and having a first means for introducing a first modulated frequency, and a second means for introducing a second modulated frequency; and detector means for detecting a frequency value of each of the coaxial beams from the target, wherein an image of the target is detected by comparing each of the frequency values of the coaxial beams from the target with the first modulated frequency and with the second modulated frequency with an enhanced signal to noise ratio.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 11 , wherein the splitting means includes: a 2×2 beam splitter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 11 , wherein the collimated beam forming means includes: a convergent lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 12 , wherein the collimated beam forming means includes: a collimator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 11 , wherein the source for generating an optical signal includes: an optical fiber based transmission medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 11 , wherein the source for generating an optical signal includes: an open-air based transmission medium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 11 , wherein the first means and the second means each include: a mirror.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The dual beam low-coherence interferometer of claim 11 , wherein the waveguide means includes: a cylindrical waveguide.
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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) | 2004-07-02 | 2005-01-01 | 2005-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-02 | 2009-01-01 | 2009-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-02 | 2013-01-01 | 2013-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |