Title: Optical apparatus for forming correlation spectrometers and optical processors

Abstract

Optical apparatus 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.

Inventors:

Butler, Michael A ^[1]; Ricco, Antonio J ^[1]; Sinclair, Michael B ^[1]; Senturia, Stephen D ^[2]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Albuquerque, NM
2. Brookline, MA

Issue Date:

1999-01-01

Research Org.:

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)

OSTI Identifier:

872292

Patent Number(s):

5905571

Assignee:

Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01J - MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRA-RED, VISIBLE OR ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT

G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02B - OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS

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G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01J - MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRA-RED, VISIBLE OR ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT

G01J3/18 - using diffraction elements, e.g. grating
G01J3/457 - Correlation spectrometry, e.g. of the intensity

G - PHYSICS G02 - OPTICS G02B - OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS

G02B26/0808 - {by means of one or more diffracting elements}

G - PHYSICS G06 - COMPUTING G06E - OPTICAL COMPUTING DEVICES

G06E3/005 - {using electro-optical or opto-electronic means}

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

optical; apparatus; forming; correlation; spectrometers; processors; comprises; diffractive; elements; formed; substrate; receiving; light; source; processing; incident; addressing; element; alternately; produce; unit; time; preferred; embodiments; form; spectrometer; processor; plurality; common; gratings; intercept; units; electrically-programmable; diffraction; grating; switched; micromachining; process; common substrate; receiving light; incident light; optical apparatus; preferred embodiments; optical element; diffraction grating; optical elements; apparatus comprises; preferred embodiment; apparatus comprise; machining process; elements formed; micromachining process; optical processors; electrically-programmable diffraction; forming correlation; optical processor; optical process; correlation spectrometers; /356/