Continuous Index of Refraction Compensation Method for Measurements in a Medium
OwnerCarl Embryinventor
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Abstract
Described herein are devices and methods for making extremely accurate measurements in a medium by continuously measuring the index of refraction of the medium such as water or biological tissue. Also described herein is a device for constantly measuring the index of refraction, and using the index of refraction data to constantly calibrate the optical measurement device. In addition, a primary measurement device (a ladar) that is optimized for data collection in a volume backscattering medium such as water or biological tissue is described, along with data results from the lab.
Claims20
A method of making continuous index of refraction measurements of a medium, the method comprising the steps of:
- passing a beam of electromagnetic, acoustic or laser energy from a first medium into a second medium;
- determining a parameter of the beam of energy associated with the beam passing from the first medium into the second medium;
- and
- relating the parameter of the beam of energy to the index of refraction of the second medium.
A method of making continuous index of refraction measurements of a medium, the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring a physical parameter of the medium selected from the group consisting of:
- the temperature of the medium, the pressure of the medium, the pH of the medium, the salinity of the medium and any combination of these;
- and
- relating the physical parameter of the medium to the index of refraction of the medium, wherein the index of refraction is determined from the physical parameter(s) of the medium using a mathematical model, analytic function, look up table or interpolation between points in a look up table.
A method of making range, angle, or imaging measurements in a medium, the method comprising the steps of:
- making a range, angle, or imaging measurement in a medium;
- measuring the index of refraction of the medium;
- and
- correcting the range, angle, or imaging measurement for errors associated with use of an approximate index of refraction different from the measured index of refraction of the medium.
A device for making continuous index of refraction measurements of a medium comprising:
- a housing;
- a window in the housing;
- a source for generating a beam of energy, wherein at least a portion of the beam of energy is directed into a medium through the window;
- a detector for detecting the beam of energy;
- and
- electronics for determining a parameter of the beam associated with the beam passing from the window into the medium;
- and wherein the source, the detector and the electronics are positioned within an interior of the housing, the housing capable of preventing the medium from penetrating into the interior of the housing, and wherein the parameter is used to calculate the index of refraction of the medium.
A monostatic ladar device comprising:
- a collimated or nearly collimated light source generating light directed into a medium;
- a detector and associated electronics positioned to detect at least a portion of the light which is scattered or reflected from the medium or an object in the medium;
- and
- an obscuration means for preventing at least a portion of the scattered or reflected light from reaching the detector, wherein the obscuration means reduces the dynamic range of the detector and electronics by reducing the volume backscatter from a medium at short range from reaching the detector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.