Optical spectrum analyzer with continuously rotating tuynable filter
AssigneeOptoplex Corporation
InventorsYUNG-CHIEH HSIEH, Chiayu Ai
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical spectrum analyzer is implemented with a detector combined with a tunable filter mounted on a stage capable of 360-degree rotation at a constant velocity. Because of the constant rate of angular change, different portions of the input spectrum are detected at each increment of time as a function of filter position, which can be easily measured with an encoder for synchronization purposes. The unidirectional motion of the mirror permits operation at very high speeds with great mechanical reliability. The same improvements may be obtained using a diffraction grating or a prism, in which case the detector or an intervening mirror may be rotated instead of the grating or prism.
Claims17
An optical spectrum analyzer comprising:
- an optical device for producing a wavelength separation in a spectrum of an incident input beam;
- a detector;
- a mirror optically coupled to said optical device such that the mirror at any given time reflects toward the detector a single separated wavelength of said spectrum of the incident input beam;
- and
- a mechanism for continuous 360-degree rotation of said mirror, thereby varying said single separated wavelength received by the detector as a function of time.
(canceled)
A method of analyzing an optical spectrum comprising the following steps:
- separating with an optical device a plurality of wavelengths in a spectrum of an incident input beam;
- optically coupling a mirror to said optical device such that the mirror at any given time receives a single wavelength of said spectrum of the incident input beam and reflects it toward a detector;
- and
- continuously rotating said mirror 360 degrees, thereby varying said single wavelength received by the detector as a function of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.