US4886964A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Matter wave optical systems in which an atomic beam intersects a diffraction grating at a grazing incidence
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
•
Filing: 1988-09-16
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Granted: 1989-12-12
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Expires: 2008-09-16
Abstract
Abstract The optical system includes a matter diffraction grating and an atomic beam intersecting the grating at a grazing angle of incidence. The grazing incidence angle should be less than 10 -2 radians. At such shallow angles of incidence, neutral atomic beams are diffracted by conventional diffraction gratings. A suitable grating has a local flatness of 10 Angstroms and has 2400 lines per millimeter. Preferred embodiments include interferometers, beam splitters and combiners, and velocity selectors.
Inventors
- 👤 David E. Pritchard
- 👤 David W. Keith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:22
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21K; G21K1/00; G21K1/06; G21K2201/00; G21K2201/06; G21K2201/062; G21K2201/068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
Matter wave optical system comprising: a matter diffraction grating; and an atomic beam intersecting the grating at a grazing incidence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
Matter wave optical system comprising: a matter diffraction grating; and an atomic beam intersecting the grating at a grazing incidence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the grazing incidence is less than 10 -1 radian.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein the grating has approximately 2400 lines per millimeter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein the grating has local flatness of approximately 10 Angstroms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 where the atomic beam comprises sodium atoms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein the atomic beam comprises helium atoms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A matter wave optical system comprising: a matter diffraction grating; and an atomic beam intersecting the grating at a grazing incidence, said grating comprising means for splitting the atomic beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A matter wave optical system comprising: a matter diffraction grating; and an atomic beam intersecting the grating at a grazing incidence, said grating comprising means for splitting the atomic beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A velocity selector system comprising: a matter diffraction grating; and an atomic beam intersecting the grating at a grazing incidence such that all atoms diffracted from the interaction with the grating at a given angle have the same velocity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A velocity selector system comprising: a matter diffraction grating; and an atomic beam intersecting the grating at a grazing incidence such that all atoms diffracted from the interaction with the grating at a given angle have the same velocity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
Matter wave interferometer comprising: a pair of spaced apart, parallel matter diffraction gratings arranged for receiving an input beam of neutral atoms at a grazing angle of incidence, for splitting the input beam into separate coherent beams and for combining the beams to produce a coherent output beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
Matter wave interferometer comprising: a pair of spaced apart, parallel matter diffraction gratings arranged for receiving an input beam of neutral atoms at a grazing angle of incidence, for splitting the input beam into separate coherent beams and for combining the beams to produce a coherent output beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The interferometer of claim 9 further including a mirror disposed between the two diffraction gratings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method for splitting a beam of neutral atoms into coherent beams comprising: interacting the beam with a matter diffraction grating at a grazing angle of incidence.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method for splitting a beam of neutral atoms into coherent beams comprising: interacting the beam with a matter diffraction grating at a grazing angle of incidence.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
Matter wave optical system comprising: a flat polished surface; and an atomic beam intersecting the surface at a grazing incidence wherein the atomic beam is reflected coherently.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
Matter wave optical system comprising: a flat polished surface; and an atomic beam intersecting the surface at a grazing incidence wherein the atomic beam is reflected coherently.
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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) | 1992-12-11 | 1993-06-12 | 1993-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-11 | 1997-06-12 | 1997-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-11 | 2001-06-12 | 2001-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |