Abstract: An autocorrelator apparatus and method for economically measuring physical properties of an object where the measurement path is at least semi-translucent to light, such as thicknesses in multilayered optical structures, group index of refraction, and distance to a surface. The apparatus includes a non-coherent light fiber interferometer and an optional coherent light fiber interferometer in association so as to share PZT fiber modulators. Thickness and boundary extent measurements can be made, for example, of solids, liquids, liquids moving along a horizontal plane, or liquids flowing down a plane.
Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented presented to provide wide dynamic range measurements of the input phase to a time domain multiplex interferometer array using a dual slope modulation method for interrogation. Features of the present invention include a topology capable of using only single mode fiber components and self-correcting processing approaches that reduce measurement errors providing high accuracy measurements and significantly reducing the cost of interrogation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 2, 2002
Date of Patent:
August 17, 2004
Assignee:
Optiphase, Inc.
Inventors:
Allen Curtis Cekorich, Ira Jeffrey Bush
Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented to provide wide dynamic range balanced measurements of the input phase to an interferometer using a phase generated carrier especially useful utilizing time multiplexing to demodulate a series of interferometers with high accuracy. A modulation drive output is provided by the invention and maintained under operation at the optimum amplitude by an internal feedback loop. The resulting highly stable system which is time balanced, can be fabricated from an analog to digital converter, a digital signal processor, and a digital to analog converter making low cost open loop demodulators a reality.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 8, 1999
Date of Patent:
April 29, 2003
Assignee:
Optiphase, Inc.
Inventors:
Allen Curtis Cekorich, Joseph Grau Davis
Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented to provide wide dynamic range measurements of the input phase to an interferometer using a phase generated carrier especially useful utilizing time multiplexing to demodulate a series of interferometers. A modulation drive output is provided by the invention and maintained under operation at the optimum amplitude by an internal feedback loop. The resulting highly stable system can be fabricated from an analog to digital converter, a digital signal processor, and a digital to analog converter making low cost open loop demodulators a reality.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 18, 1998
Date of Patent:
May 11, 1999
Assignee:
Optiphase, Inc.
Inventors:
Ira Jeffery Bush, Allen Curtis Cekorich