Optical apparatus for forming correlation spectrometers and optical processors
Optical apparatus is disclosed for forming correlation spectrometers and optical processors. The optical apparatus comprises one or more diffractive optical elements formed on a substrate for receiving light from a source and processing the incident light. The optical apparatus includes an addressing element for alternately addressing each diffractive optical element thereof to produce for one unit of time a first correlation with the incident light, and to produce for a different unit of time a second correlation with the incident light that is different from the first correlation. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the optical apparatus is in the form of a correlation spectrometer; and in other embodiments, the apparatus is in the form of an optical processor. In some embodiments, the optical apparatus comprises a plurality of diffractive optical elements on a common substrate for forming first and second gratings that alternately intercept the incident light for different units of time. In other embodiments, the optical apparatus includes an electrically-programmable diffraction grating that may be alternately switched between a plurality of grating states thereof for processing the incident light. The optical apparatus may be formed, at least in part, by a micromachining process. 24 figs.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- Assignee:
- Sandia Corp., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5905571; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 8-522202
- OSTI ID:
- 6158767
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 30 Aug 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
COMPUTERS
CORRELATIONS
DESIGN
DIFFRACTION GRATINGS
OPTICAL SYSTEMS
SPECTROMETERS
VISIBLE RADIATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
RADIATIONS
440600* - Optical Instrumentation- (1990-)
990200 - Mathematics & Computers