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US 7,023,563 B2Granted
Interferometric optical imaging and storage devices
OwnerChian Chiu Liinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interferometric optical device divides a beam into two beam portions by wavefront division and produces a tunable phase difference between them. Next a sample and a reference reflector reflect the beam portions respectively. Then interference between the reflected beam portions is used for topography, tomography, and readout of multi-layer optical data storage media.
Claims20
An interferometric optical device comprising:
- 1) a light source for generating a beam;
- 2) a spatial phase modulator for dividing said beam into a plurality of beam portions by wavefront division and producing phase shift on at least one of said beam portions;
- 3) a plurality of media disposed to receive and return at least two of said beam portions including said phase shifted beam portion respectively;
- and
- 4) a detector for sensing interference by said returned beam portions.
2 more elements
A method for generating optical interference, comprising:
- 1) providing a light source for generating a beam;
- 2) providing a spatial phase modulator for dividing said beam into a plurality of beam portions by wavefront division and phase shifting at least one of said beam portions;
- 3) receiving and returning at least two of said beam portions including said phase shifted beam portion by at least one medium;
- and
- 4) sensing interference by said returned beam portions through a detector.
2 more elements
An optical device for measuring a sample comprising:
- 1) a light source for generating a beam;
- 2) a spatial phase modulator for dividing said beam into a plurality of beam portions by wavefront division and producing phase shift on at least one of said beam portions;
- 3) at least one medium, said medium and said sample being disposed for receiving and returning said beam portions including said phase shifted beam portion respectively;
- and
- 4) a detector for sensing interference by said returned beam portions.
2 more elements
A method for generating optical interference, comprising;
- 1) causing a light source to generate a beam;
- 2) providing a detector for sensing an optical output;
- 3) providing at least one medium;
- 4) dividing said beam into a plurality of beam portions by wavefront division by providing a spatial phase modulator and transmitting said beam portions through a plurality of optical paths from said source to said detector respectively, said optical paths each being arranged via at least one of said media;
- 5) adjusting the optical path length of at least one of said optical paths;
- and
- 6) sensing an interferometric optical output caused by said beam portions by said detector.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.