Abstract: An optical displacement sensor is disclosed that provides a optical displacement sensor that includes a optically-resonant cavity tuned to an operating wavelength without some of the disadvantages for doing so in the prior art. An embodiment of the present invention tunes an operating wavelength used with a Fabry-Perot interferometer to develop a desired relationship between the wavelength and the Fabry-Perot interferometer's initial cavity length.

Abstract: An optical displacement sensor is disclosed that provides a optical displacement sensor that includes a optically-resonant cavity tuned to an operating wavelength without some of the disadvantages for doing so in the prior art. An embodiment of the present invention tunes an operating wavelength used with a Fabry-Perot interferometer to develop a desired relationship between the wavelength and the Fabry-Perot interferometer's initial cavity length.

Abstract: An optical displacement sensor is disclosed that provides a high signal-to-noise ratio output signal without some of the disadvantages for doing so in the prior art. An embodiment of the present invention directs a light beam toward a Fabry-Perot interferometer and detects both the reflected and transmitted optical beams that result from interaction with the Fabry-Perot interferometer. Signal processing techniques are applied to signals based on both the reflected and transmitted beams, resulting in higher signal strength and/or reduced noise in the resulting output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discriminating a directional component of a propagating pressure wave using an array of operatively-coupled displacement sensors are disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, each displacement sensor in the array comprises two parallel layers, at least one of which is movable. The output signal of each displacement sensor is based on the separation of the layers. The displacement sensors are operatively-coupled through a compressible fluid such that the response of one of the sensors to an input can cause an output signal in at least one of the other sensors. The operative-coupling of the displacement sensors amplifies relative phase information between their respective output signals, which results in improved directionality. Some embodiments of the present invention are particularly well-suited for use in microphones.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting multiple beams from a beamsplitter is disclosed. Some embodiments of the present invention are particularly well-suited for use in microphones, high-sensitivity pressure sensors, vibration sensors, and accelerometer applications. Some embodiments of the present invention generate a differential electrical output signal that is based on multiple detected optical signals. The differential output signal is generated in response to an environmental stimulus, such as a pressure differential or incident acoustic energy. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, an optical displacement sensor redirects the transmitted beam back through the optically-resonant cavity with an angular offset. Due to the angular offset, the redirected beam (i.e., retransmitted beam) transits the cavity with an intra-cavity path length that corresponds to substantially full transmittance of the retransmitted beam in the absence of the environmental stimulus.

Abstract: An optical displacement sensor is disclosed that provides a optical displacement sensor that includes a optically-resonant cavity tuned to an operating wavelength without some of the disadvantages for doing so in the prior art. An embodiment of the present invention tunes an operating wavelength used with a Fabry-Perot interferometer to develop a desired relationship between the wavelength and the Fabry-Perot interferometer's initial cavity length.

Abstract: An optical displacement sensor is disclosed that provides a high signal-to-noise ratio output signal without some of the disadvantages for doing so in the prior art. An embodiment of the present invention directs a light beam toward a Fabry-Perot interferometer and detects both the reflected and transmitted optical beams that result from interaction with the Fabry-Perot interferometer. Signal processing techniques are applied to signals based on both the reflected and transmitted beams, resulting in higher signal strength and/or reduced noise in the resulting output signal.