Beam shuttering interferometer and method

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:868875

Deason, Vance A ^[1]; Lassahn, Gordon D ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

A method and apparatus resulting in the simplification of phase shifting interferometry by eliminating the requirement to know the phase shift between interferograms or to keep the phase shift between interferograms constant. The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive means to shutter each independent beam of the interferometer in order to facilitate the data acquisition requirements for optical interferometry and phase shifting interferometry. By eliminating the requirement to know the phase shift between interferograms or to keep the phase shift constant, a simple, economical means and apparatus for performing the technique of phase shifting interferometry is provide which, by thermally expanding a fiber optical cable changes the optical path distance of one incident beam relative to another.

• Research Organization: EG & G IDAHO INC
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• Assignee: EG&G Idaho, Inc. (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): US 5231468
• OSTI ID: 868875
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

beam
shuttering
interferometer
method
apparatus
resulting
simplification
phase
shifting
interferometry
eliminating
requirement
shift
interferograms
constant
provides
simple
inexpensive
means
shutter
independent
facilitate
data
acquisition
requirements
optical
economical
performing
technique
provide
thermally
expanding
fiber
cable
changes
path
distance
incident
relative
beam relative
phase shifting
phase shift
data acquisition
fiber optic
optical path
incident beam
inexpensive means
thermally expand
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