Patents by Inventor Peter M. Poirier

Peter M. Poirier has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • High-speed polarimeter having a multi-wavelength source
    Patent number: 7800755
    Abstract: A polarimeter includes a multi-wavelength source for generating electromagnetic waves having at least two different wavelengths, means for separating electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves including electromagnetic waves generated by the multi-wavelength source and electromagnetic waves received from a sample contacted by the electromagnetic waves generated by the multi-wavelength source, a fixed waveplate, wherein the fixed waveplate is configured to convert one polarization state to multiple polarization states that allow for calculations of linear and circular polarization components of the electromagnetic waves, a free space coupler, a beam splitter, and more than one detector. The polarimeter may be used in a method for high-speed measurement of linear and circular polarization components of electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Peter M. Poirier, Michael G. Lovern
  • Method and optical switch for altering an electromagnetic energy wave in response to acceleration forces
    Patent number: 6661566
    Abstract: An aspect of an electromagnetic energy wave is altered by disposing in its propagation path a material that changes optical properties in response to an acceleration force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ayax D. Ramirez, Stephen D. Russell, Peter M. Poirier
  • Method and optical switch for altering an electromagnetic energy wave in response to acceleration forces
    Publication number: 20030053746
    Abstract: An aspect of an electromagnetic energy wave is altered by disposing in its propagation path a material that changes optical properties in response to an acceleration force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ayax D. Ramirez, Stephen D. Russell, Peter M. Poirier
  • High energy Q-switched 0.9 &mgr;m laser
    Patent number: 6320894
    Abstract: A Q-switched neodymium laser may be operated in the 0.9 &mgr;m [( &lgr;1)] band at relatively high gain levels. The laser uses a birefringent filter which provides selective discrimination for wavelengths near 1 &mgr;m [(&lgr;2)] and prevents parasitic lasing in that wavelength region. The filter includes a specific wavelength dependent crystal quartz wave plate in combination with a linear polarizer. The linear polarizer is placed between two mirrors which define a laser cavity. The wave plate provides exactly 2 full waves of retardation at the desired wavelength &lgr;1 in the 0.9 &mgr;m band, and exactly 1.75 waves of retardation at wavelength &lgr;2 near the center of the 1 &mgr;m band for one pass. A Q-switching device such as a Pockels cell is positioned in the laser cavity to selectively control a pulsed emission at &lgr;1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Frank E. Hanson, Peter M. Poirier