Optical path length tuning methods in etalons
AssigneeAccumux Technologies, Inc.
InventorsPochi Albert Yeh, Scott Patrick Campbell
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Abstract
Fine-tuning of the optical path length in etalon cavities is achieved by slight variations of the cavity's index of refraction. Such index of refraction variations are accomplished by varying the relative gas mixture in gas-gap etalons or UV-exposing doped glass layer(s) in solid etalons or gas-gap+glass etalons.
Claims15
A method for tuning an optical path length of an etalon with a cavity of length L and comprised of a plurality of gases having at least two refractive indices, the cavity having a net refractive index across the length L which is a function of the refractive indices of the plurality of gases, the optical path length defined as the length L multiplied by the net refractive index, the method comprising:
- adjusting a relative volume of the plurality of gases to fine-tune the net refractive index.
A method for tuning an optical path length of an etalon with a cavity of length L and comprised of one or more solid media, one or more of the solid media having a refractive index that is adjustable when exposed to radiation, the cavity having a net refractive index across the length L which is a function of the refractive indices of the solid media, the optical path length defined as the length L multiplied by the net refractive index, the method comprising:
- irradiating one or more of the solid media having a refractive index that is adjustable when exposed to radiation to fine-tune the net refractive index.
A method for tuning a reflectivity and an effective length of a mirror stack of an etalon comprised of one or more solid media, one or more of the solid media of the mirror stack having a refractive index that is adjustable when exposed to radiation, the reflectivity and the effective length of the mirror stack being a function of the refractive indices of the solid media, the method comprising:
- irradiating one or more of the solid media having a refractive index that is adjustable when exposed to radiation to fine-tune the reflectivity and the effective length of the mirror stack.
An etalon comprising:
- two parallel mirrors separated by a distance L;
- a cavity formed between the two mirrors;
- and
- a plurality of gases having at least two refractive indices within the cavity;
- wherein the cavity has a net refractive index across the distance L which is a function of the refractive indices of the plurality of gases, the optical path length is defined as the distance L multiplied by the net refractive index;
- and
- wherein the cavity contains a relative volume of each of the plurality of gases to produce a desired optical path length.
An etalon comprising:
- two parallel mirrors separated by a distance L;
- a cavity formed between the two mirrors;
- and
- one or more solid media having a refractive index that is adjustable when exposed to radiation within the cavity;
- wherein the cavity has a net refractive index across the distance L which is a function of the refractive indices of the solid media, the optical path length is defined as the distance L multiplied by the net refractive index;
- and
- wherein the cavity contains one or more radiated solid media having a refractive index that is adjustable when exposed to radiation to produce a desired optical path length.
An etalon comprising:
- two parallel mirrors, at least one of the mirrors formed from a mirror stack comprised of one or more solid media, one or more of the solid media having a refractive index that is adjustable when exposed to radiation, the mirror stack having a reflectivity and effective length which is a function of the refractive indicies of the solid media;
- and
- a cavity formed between the two mirrors;
- wherein the mirror stack contains one or more irradiated solid media having a refractive index that is adjustable when exposed to radiation to produce a desired reflectivity and effective length for the mirror stack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.