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Title: Low noise optical position sensor

Abstract

A novel optical position sensor is described that uses two component photodiodes electrically connected in parallel, with opposing polarities. A lens provides optical gain and restricts the acceptance angle of the detector. The response of the device to displacements of an optical spot is similar to that of a conventional bi-cell type position sensitive detector. However, the component photodiode design enables simpler electronic amplification with inherently less electrical noise than the bi-cell. Measurements by the sensor of the pointing noise of a focused helium-neon laser as a function of frequency demonstrate high sensitivity and suitability for optical probe beam deflection experiments. 14 figs.

Inventors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of California (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
335502
Patent Number(s):
US 5,880,461/A/
Application Number:
PAN: 8-755,076
Assignee:
Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC03-76SF00098
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 9 Mar 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
44 INSTRUMENTATION, INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS; OPTICAL SYSTEMS; DISPLACEMENT GAGES; DESIGN; PHOTODIODES; USES; HELIUM-NEON LASERS; SENSITIVITY

Citation Formats

Spear, J D. Low noise optical position sensor. United States: N. p., 1999. Web.
Spear, J D. Low noise optical position sensor. United States.
Spear, J D. 1999. "Low noise optical position sensor". United States.
@article{osti_335502,
title = {Low noise optical position sensor},
author = {Spear, J D},
abstractNote = {A novel optical position sensor is described that uses two component photodiodes electrically connected in parallel, with opposing polarities. A lens provides optical gain and restricts the acceptance angle of the detector. The response of the device to displacements of an optical spot is similar to that of a conventional bi-cell type position sensitive detector. However, the component photodiode design enables simpler electronic amplification with inherently less electrical noise than the bi-cell. Measurements by the sensor of the pointing noise of a focused helium-neon laser as a function of frequency demonstrate high sensitivity and suitability for optical probe beam deflection experiments. 14 figs.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/335502}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 09 00:00:00 EST 1999},
month = {Tue Mar 09 00:00:00 EST 1999}
}