Wide field of view radiant energy receiver
AssigneeVaro, Inc.
InventorPeter Sorensen, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A source discriminator comprises a diffusing surface (10) provided to receive radiant energy over a wide field of view. Radiant energy received is transmitted from the diffusing surface (10) along an optical fiber (12) of a preselected numerical aperture to a radiant energy filter or grating (18). The numerical aperture of the optical fiber is preselected to provide an acceptable half-cone of arrival of radiant energy at the filter or grating (18). From the radiant energy filter or grating (18), the radiant energy passes to photosensors, the output signals of which are used; is the source discriminator system.
Claims19
Apparatus for receiving radiant energy in a radiant energy source discriminator, comprising:
- a fiber optic having a receiving end and a transmitting end;
- a diffusing surface for receiving radiant energy disposed over a wide field of view at the receiving end of said fiber optic such that radiant energy received over said wide field of view at said diffusing surface is depolarized and transmitted through said diffusing surface to said receiving end of said optical fiber;
- an optical filter disposed at said transmitting end of said optical fiber so that radiant energy transmitted from said transmitting end of said optical fiber is operably received by said optical filter;
- and
- a photosensor disposed to receive, from said optical filter, radiant energy transmitted from said transmitting end of said optical fiber to said optical filter.
A method for reducing wavelength shift in dielectric band pass filters in wide angle field of view source discriminator systems, said method comprising:
- receiving radiant energy on a substantially planar diffusing surface, said diffusing surface serving to receive radiant energy over a wide angle field of view and to depolarize the received radiant energy;
- transmitting at least a portion of the received radiant energy along an optical fiber having a preselected numerical aperture;
- transmitting at least a portion of the received radiant energy form said optical fiber to a dielectric filter having a preselected band pass;
- transmitting at least a portion of the received radiant energy from said dielectric filter to a photosensor;
- and
- generating a signal at said photosensor correlating to said radiant energy received at said photosensor.
The method of claim 15, wherein said half-angle of arrival is less than 10.degree..
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.