System and method for optically locating microchannel positions

Patent · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:873704

Brewer, Laurence R ^[1]; Kimbrough, Joseph ^[2]; Balch, Joseph ^[3]; Davidson, J Courtney ^[3]

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1. Oakland, CA
2. Pleasanton, CA
3. Livermore, CA

A system and method is disclosed for optically locating a microchannel position. A laser source generates a primary laser beam which is directed at a microchannel plate. The microchannel plates include microchannels at various locations. A back-reflectance beam detector receives a back-reflected beam from the plate. The back-reflected beam is generated when the primary beam reflects off of the plate. A photodiode circuit generates a trigger signal when the back-reflected beam exceeds a predetermined threshold, indicating a presence of the microchannel. The method of the present invention includes the steps of generating a primary beam, directing the primary beam to a plate containing a microchannel, receiving from the plate a back-reflected beam generated in response to the primary beam, and generating a trigger signal when the back-reflected beam exceeds a predetermined threshold which corresponds to a presence of the microchannel.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 6225635
• OSTI ID: 873704
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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