Method of Ellipsometric Reconnaissance
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorMichael I. Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of obtaining information about a target by using an ellipsometric technique of illuminating the target with coherent light beams from moveable light sources and recording reflections from the target. By analyzing the reflections, the surface material refractive index or dielectric tensors may be classified to yield information about the surface material properties. The beams can be emitted at different polarities and/or different frequencies. Ultra-coherent lasers can be used to produce beams that illuminate targets up to 100 kilometers from the beam source.
Claims20
A method of ellipsometric reconnaissance comprising:
- a. providing a first moveable object having a first light source and a second moveable object having a second light source
- b. illuminating a target with light from the first light source;
- c. illuminating the target with light from the second light source having at least one operating parameter different from light from the first light beam;
- d. receiving at least a portion of light from the first and second light sources that has reflected from the target;
- and
- e. identifying the target surface material based on the received reflected light.
A method of analyzing a target comprising:
- a. creating a first reflection from the target by illuminating the target with a first light from a first moveable object;
- b. creating a second reflection from the target by illuminating the target with a second light from a second moveable object, the second light having an operating parameter offset from the operating parameter of the first light;
- c. receiving the first and second reflections;
- and
- d. identifying a material on the target based on a comparison of the first and second reflections.
A method of identifying a target having a surface, the method comprising:
- a. directing at the target from a first moveable object, a first light beam that is coherent up to around 100 kilometers that illuminates the target and forms a first reflection;
- b. directing at the target from a second moveable object, a second light beam that illuminates the target and forms a second reflection, the second light beam having an operating parameter different from the first light beam;
- c. receiving the reflections;
- d. comparing the operating parameters of the first and second light beams respectively to the first and second reflections;
- and
- e. identifying material on the target based on the results of step (d).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.