Optics: measuring and testing – By polarized light examination – With birefringent element
Patent
1988-01-22
1989-05-16
Willis, Davis L.
Optics: measuring and testing
By polarized light examination
With birefringent element
356357, G01B 902
Patent
active
048304964
ABSTRACT:
A reference mirror (50) in an interferometer is fixed in position with respect to a laser (34). A refractive block (40) having parallel upper and lower surfaces is mounted for pivoting about a pivot axis (60) parallel to the reference mirror (40). The refractive block (40) is disposed in the path of the light beam (36) produced by the laser (34), and it includes a partially reflective surface (42) on its lower face that divides the incident beam (36) into two components (44 and 46), which travel along different paths, in which they are reflected from different portions (48 and 54) of the surface of the reference mirror (50) and from different portions (52 and 56) of a reflective surface on the upper face of the refractive block (40). A second partially reflective coating (58) rejoins portions of the two components to form an exit beam (32) in which the radiation from the two beams interferes in accordance with the angle of the refractive block (40). The angle that the exit beam (32) makes with the surface of the reference mirror (50) is independent of the angle of the refractive block (40).
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patent: 4654530 (1987-03-01), Dybwad
"Laser Rotary Encoders," Motion, Jul./Aug. 1986 and Sep./Oct. 1986 (two parts).
"Fast and Accurate Angle Sensing," Electro-Optical Systems Design, Sep. 1975.
General Scanning Inc.
Koren Matthew W.
Willis Davis L.
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