Two-beam interferometer for fourier transform spectroscopy with double pivot scanning mechanism
AssigneeABB Bomem Inc.
InventorsHenry L. Buijs, Jacques McKinnon
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Abstract
A two-beam interferometer for Fourier Transform spectroscopy has a double pivot scanning mechanism. The interferometer has two rigid pendulums that are each rotatable to swing around an associated one of distinct axes of rotation. A linkage links the two rigid pendulums to each other and constrains their rotation relative to each other. The interferometer has bearings, which may be flexure bearings, for rotatably mounting the two pendulums to swing around an associated one of the distinct axes of rotation and a first and a second bearing linking the linkage to an associated one of the pendulums. The two rigid pendulums, the linkage and the bearings can be a monolithic structure.
Claims19
A two-beam interferometer for measuring radiation using Fourier Transform spectroscopy comprising:
- a first retro-reflector;
- a second retro-rellector;
- a central body;
- a beamsplitter secured to said central body and arranged in the path of a light beam to split said light beam into two beams, one of said two beams directed toward said first retro-reflector and the other of said two beams directed toward said second retro-reflector, and to recombine beam components from said retro-reflectors to form an interference pattern;
- a first rigid pendulum rotatable around a first axis of rotation, said first retro-reflector mounted to said first rigid pendulum and spaced from said first axis of rotation;
- a second rigid pendulum rotatable around a second axis of rotation, said second retro-reflector mounted to said second rigid pendulum and spaced from said second axis of rotation, said first and said second axis of rotation being spaced apart;
- and
- a linkage secured to said first and said second rigid pendulums and positioned to constrain the rotation of said first rigid pendulum relative to said second rigid pendulum.
A monolithic optical assembly for use with an interferometer comprising:
- a first and a second rigid pendulum rotatable about a first and a second axis of rotation respectively, said first and second axis of rotation being spaced apart, said first and said second rigid pendulums linked to each other to constrain the rotation of said first pendulum relative to the rotation of said second pendulum.
A spectrometer comprising a two-beam interferometer for measuring radiation using Fourier Transform spectroscopy technique, said interferometer comprising:
- a first retro-reflector;
- a second retro-reflector;
- a central body:
- a beamsplitter secured to said central body and arranged in the path of a light beam to split said light beam into two beams, one of said two beams directed toward said first retro-reflector and the other of said two beams directed toward said second retro-reflector, and to recombine beam components from said retro-reflectors to form an interference pattern;
- a first rigid pendulum rotatable around a first axis of rotation said first retro-reflector mounted to said first rigid pendulum and spaced from said first axis of rotation;
- a second rigid pendulum rotatable around a second axis of rotation, said second retro-reflector mounted to said second rigid pendulum and spaced from said second axis of rotation, said first and said second axis of rotation being spaced apart;
- and
- a linkage secured to said first and said second rigid pendulum and positioned to constrain the rotation of said first rigid pendulum relative to said second rigid pendulum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.