Patent US4265540A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4265540A
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Refractively scanned interferometer
Assignee: AIR & WATER TECHNOLOGIES Corp A Co OF NJ
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Filing: 1979-10-01
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Granted: 1981-05-05
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Expires: 1999-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A refractively scanned interferometer, of the type in which a wedge-shaped prism is moved across one interferometer arm for scanning purposes, in which a similarly shaped fixed prism in the other arm provides optical compensation to avoid aberration problems. The beamsplitter surface is on the fixed wedge-shaped prism, and the two wedge-shaped prisms constitute the only refractive elements in the interferometer arms.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter M. Doyle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/28; G01J3/45; G01J3/453; G01J3/4537
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A spectral analysis interferometer, of the type having a first arm in which the optical path leads to a first reflector and a second arm in which the optical path leads to a second reflector, comprising: a movable scanning prism having a wedge angle to vary its refractive path length and movable across the optical path of the first interferometer arm; a fixed prism having a wedge angle substantially equal to that of the scanning prism and located in the second arm of the interferometer in such a way as to substantially balance the refractive effects in the two arms when the scanning wedge is in its centered position; and a beamsplitter surface supported on one of the prisms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A spectral analysis interferometer, of the type having a first arm in which the optical path leads to a first reflector and a second arm in which the optical path leads to a second reflector, comprising: a movable scanning prism having a wedge angle to vary its refractive path length and movable across the optical path of the first interferometer arm; a fixed prism having a wedge angle substantially equal to that of the scanning prism and located in the second arm of the interferometer in such a way as to substantially balance the refractive effects in the two arms when the scanning wedge is in its centered position; and a beamsplitter surface supported on one of the prisms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 1, wherein the beamsplitter surface is supported on the fixed prism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 2, wherein the scanning prism is located as close as practicable to the beamsplitter surface, and the direction of motion of the scanning prism is parallel to the beamsplitter surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of any of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the optical path of the first arm intersects at right angles the surface of the scanning prism nearest the first reflector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 4, werein the optical path of the second arm intersects at right angles the surface of the fixed prism nearest the second reflector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the scanning prism is the only refractive element in the first arm, and the fixed prism is the only refractive element in the second arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 4, wherein the scanning prism is the only refractive element in the first arm, and the fixed prism is the only refractive element in the second arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 2 or 3, wherein the scanning prism has three optical surfaces, the first of which is parallel to the beamsplitter surface, the second of which is intersected by the first interferometer arm, and the third of which is intersected by the optical path exiting the interferometer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 8, wherein the optical path of the first interferometer arm intersects at right angles the surface of the scanning prism nearest the first reflector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 8, wherein the scanning prism is the only refractive element in the first interferometer arm, and the fixed prism is the only refractive element in the second interferometer arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 8, wherein the fixed prism has three optical surfaces, the first of which is the beamsplitter surface, the second of which is intersected by the second interferometer arm, and the third of which is intersected by the optical path entering the interferometer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 9, wherein the fixed prism has three optical surfaces, the first of which is the beamsplitter surface, the second of which is intersected by the second interferometer arm, and the third of which is intersected by the optical path entering the interferometer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 10, wherein the fixed prism has three optical surfaces, the first of which is the beamsplitter surface, the second of which is intersected by the second interferometer arm, and the third of which is intersected by the optical path entering the interferometer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of any of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first and second reflectors are retro-reflectors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 4, wherein the first and second reflectors are retro-reflectors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 6, wherein the first and second reflectors are retro-reflectors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of any of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the angle between the first and second interferometer arms is greater than ninety degrees.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 4, wherein the angle between the first and second interferometer arms is greater than ninety degrees.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 8, wherein the second optical surface of the scanning prism is intersected at right angles by the first interferometer arm, and the third optical surface of the scanning prism is intersected at right angles by the optical path exiting the interferometer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 19, wherein the fixed prism also has three optical surfaces, the first of which is the beamsplitter surface, the second of which is intersected at right angles by the second interferometer arm, and the third of which is intersected at right angles by the optical path entering the interferometer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 19, wherein the angles between the first optical surface and each of the other two optical surfaces on the same prism are forty-five degrees.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The spectral analysis interferometer of claim 20, wherein the angles between the first optical surface and each of the other two optical surfaces on the same prism are forty-five degrees.
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) | 1984-05-04 | 1984-11-03 | 1985-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-05-04 | 1988-11-03 | 1989-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-05-04 | 1992-11-03 | 1993-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |