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US 4,523,848 AGranted
Polariscope
AssigneeNational Research Development Corporation
InventorsBarry Gorman, Edwin J. Hearn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a polariscope including first and second quarter wave plates arranged one on either side of a sample under test, first and second liquid crystal devices are provided adjacent the quarter wave plates and can be switched between two optical conditions to alter the polariscope between a plane polarized and a circularly polarized mode.
Claims6
A polariscope comprises means to provide an input beam of polarised light;
- first liquid crystal means which in a first state allows direct passage of the polarised input beam and in a second state applies a 45.degree. rotation to the polarised input beam;
- a first quarter wave plate;
- sample location means;
- a second quarter wave plate;
- second liquid crystal means which in a first state allows passage of light polarised perpendicular to the polarisation axis of the input beam and in a second state applies a 45.degree. rotation to said light;
- second polarising means parallel to or crossed with respect to the first polarising means;
- and
- switch means to cause the first and second liquid crystal means each to change between their first and second states.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.