Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
250201900 | Light beam wavefront phase adaptation | 25 |
20080265130 | Wave Front Sensing Method and Apparatus - A new way of mixing instrumental and digital means is described for the general field of wave front sensing. The present invention describes the use, the definition and the utility of digital operators, called digital wave front operators (DWFO) or digital lenses (DL), specifically designed for the digital processing of wave fronts defined in amplitude and phase. DWFO are of particular interest for correcting undesired wave front deformations induced by instrumental defects or experimental errors. DWFO may be defined using a mathematical model, e.g. a polynomial function, which involves coefficients. The present invention describes automated and semi-automated procedures for calibrating or adjusting the values of these coefficients. These procedures are based on the fitting of mathematical models on reference data extracted from specific regions of a wave front called reference areas, which are characterized by the fact that specimen contributions are a priori known in reference areas. For example, reference areas can be defined in regions where flat surfaces of a specimen produce a constant phase function. The present invention describes also how DWFO can be defined by extracting reference data along one-dimensional (1D) profiles. DWFO can also be defined in order to obtain a flattened representation of non-flat area of a specimen. Several DWFO or DL can be combined, possibly in addition with procedures for calculating numerically the propagation of wave fronts. A DWFO may also be defined experimentally, e.g. by calibration procedures using reference specimens. A method for generating a DWFO by filtering in the Fourier plane is also described. All wave front sensing techniques may benefit from the present invention. The case of a wave front sensor based on digital holography, e.g. a digital holographic microscope (DHM), is described in more details. The use of DWFO improves the performance, in particular speed and precision, and the ease of use of instruments for wave front sensing. The use of DWFO results in instrumental simplifications, costs reductions, and enlarged the field of applications. The present invention defines a new technique for imaging and metrology with a large field of applications in material and life sciences, for research and industrial applications. | 10-30-2008 |
20080302948 | HIGH POWER BIMORPH WAVE-FRONT CORRECTION MIRROR - A laser beam correction system and related methods of use and manufacture are provided. In one example, a laser beam correction system includes a mirror having a first surface and a second surface. An actuator comprising a piezoelectric ceramic disk and a plurality of conductive electrodes on substantially opposing sides of the disk is bonded to the second surface of the mirror. The actuator includes an aperture in a center portion. A wave-front sensor is adapted to measure optical wave-front characteristics of a laser beam received by the mirror and provide electronic signals corresponding to the wave-front characteristics. | 12-11-2008 |
20090078850 | System for Dispersion-Force-Based Actuation - A system and method for dispersion-force-based actuation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a light beam is used to change the dispersion force between two spaced apart surfaces. The change in the dispersion force causes a change in the gap between the surfaces. The actuation system can be used in conjunction with a deformable mirror to provide an improved adaptive optics system. | 03-26-2009 |
20090084934 | System and Method for Dispersion-Force-Based Actuation - A system and method for dispersion-force-based actuation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a light beam is used to change the dispersion force between two spaced apart surfaces. The change in the dispersion force causes a change in the gap between the surfaces. The actuation system can be used in conjunction with a deformable mirror to provide an improved adaptive optics system. | 04-02-2009 |
20090108172 | Adaptive optics based system and method to generate and control multiple optical beams for trapping and manipulating small particles - A combination for use in optical trapping is provided, comprising, in series: an adaptable reflective optical element for sculpting a laser beam to produce a sculpted beam; a beam splitter for splitting the sculpted beam into a first and a second sculpted beam; a micro lens array for dividing the first sculpted beam into an array of beamlets to produce a plurality of focal points; relay optics; and a focusing lens; and, in parallel: a wavefront curvature sensing device for accepting and analyzing the second sculpted beam, and reporting to a computer. | 04-30-2009 |
20090134310 | System and Method for Coherent Beam Combination - Systems and methods for coherent beam combination of lasers are provided. In one embodiment, a method for coherent beam combination is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of secondary laser signals from a primary laser signal, amplifying the plurality of secondary signals along respective amplifier arms to provide a plurality of amplified output signals, providing a frequency-shifted reference beam from the primary laser signal, generating a plurality of optically heterodyne detected (OHD) beat signals based on combining respective amplified output signals of the plurality of amplified output signals with the frequency-shifted reference beam, and adjusting path lengths of respective amplifier arms based on respective amplitudes of the plurality of OHD beat signals to control the path length of respective amplifier arms to within a coherence length of the primary laser signal. | 05-28-2009 |
20090250591 | System, device, and method for optical wavefront control - An optical wavefront control system by which the number of optical components or costs can be reduced. If an optical wavefront control system comprising an optical wavefront control section for controlling, in accordance with a wavefront control signal for controlling a phase of a wavefront of input light inputted and an aberration control signal for controlling an aberration of the input light inputted, the phase and the aberration and for outputting output light, a detection section for detecting optical information regarding a wavefront and an aberration of the output light inputted from the optical wavefront control section, and a control circuit section for outputting the wavefront control signal and the aberration control signal to the optical wavefront control section on the basis of the optical information detected by the detection section is used, the wavefront of the input light can be controlled and the aberration can be corrected. Accordingly, there is no need to locate another optical component for correcting the aberration. | 10-08-2009 |
20090294628 | MEASUREMENT METHOD, MEASUREMENT APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING OPTICAL SYSTEM - The present invention provides a measurement method of measuring a light beam wavefront formed by a measurement target object using a measurement apparatus which includes an optical system having a reference surface and a detection unit having a detection surface, and detects, by the detection unit, an interference pattern, between a test light beam from one of the measurement target object and a standard surface and a reference light beam from the reference surface, formed on the detection surface by the optical system. | 12-03-2009 |
20090302198 | Elimination of piston wraps in segmented apertures by image-based measurements at two wavelengths - Image-based, monochromatic, wavefront sensing for alignment of the segmented aperture of a telescope can produce segments which are misaligned by multiples of the center wavelength, λ. The phenomenon is well-known and it is called “piston ambiguity” [1]. We call such a misalignment a “piston wrap.” | 12-10-2009 |
20100012818 | OPTICAL CHARACTERISTIC MAPPING INSTRUMENT - A system for measuring the wavefront characteristics of a powerful laser close to an emitting or transmitting surface of the laser. The system includes a beam sampler that has a sampling aperture for sampling radiation from a sampled area along the emitting or transmitting surface. The beam sampler includes a reflector for directing un-sampled radiation onto an absorber, which absorbs un-sampled radiation. Radiation sampled by the beam sampler is sensed using a sensor. | 01-21-2010 |
20100078543 | COMPACT HIGH-SPEED THIN MICROMACHINED MEMBRANE DEFORMABLE MIRROR - Provided is a compact, high-speed deformable mirror for use with an adaptive optic. The mirror or wavefront correction device corrects and/or compensates for wavefront aberrations present in a wavefront received by the optics. The mirror includes a deformable membrane which may be made of a semiconductive, metallic or insulating material. Positioned in close proximity to a front surface of the membrane is a transparent conductor, which may be covered by a window having an anti-reflective coating. A plurality of electrostatic actuators is located in close proximity to a back surface of the membrane, the conductor and actuators separated by a gap of approximately 10 μm. In operation, a bias voltage is applied to the transparent conductor and an actuator voltage is applied to the plurality of actuators. The resultant voltage differential across the membrane defines the amount of membrane deformation, which in turn compensates for distortions in a subsequently reflected wavefront. | 04-01-2010 |
20100090090 | Spatial Frequency Wavefront Sensor System and Method - Devices systems, and methods can characterize an optical surface of an object. A wavefront sensor system focuses light energy propagating from the object to form a pattern on a detector. The system maps the pattern to an array with a transform function such as a Fourier transform. The values of array correspond to characteristic locations and signals in a transform space, for example an intensity of spatial frequency signals in frequency space. The characteristic location and intensity of these signals in transform space are used to measure the optical surface. For example, a characteristic frequency of a spatial frequency intensity peak in Fourier transform space can be used to estimate the location of spots on the detector. Alternatively, the characteristics can be used to the measure sphere, cylinder and axis of a wavefront, wavefront elevation maps and point spread functions, often without locating positions of individual spots on the detector. | 04-15-2010 |
20110049329 | HYBRID ARCHITECTURE ACTIVE WAVEFRONT SENSING AND CONTROL SYSTEM, AND METHOD - According to various embodiments, provided herein is an optical system and method that can be configured to perform image analysis. The optical system can comprise a telescope assembly and one or more hybrid instruments. The one or more hybrid instruments can be configured to receive image data from the telescope assembly and perform a fine guidance operation and a wavefront sensing operation, simultaneously, on the image data received from the telescope assembly. | 03-03-2011 |
20110121158 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PLASMA BASED ADAPTIVE OPTICS - An adaptive plasma optics cell includes a housing defining a chamber, and a gas disposed within the housing chamber. A first light transmissive electrode layer is coupled to a first side of the housing and a first light transmissive dielectric layer is coupled between the first light transmissive electrode layer and the housing chamber. A second electrode layer is coupled to a second side of the housing such that the housing chamber is at least partially disposed between the first and second electrode layers and a second dielectric layer coupled between the second electrode layer electrode and the housing chamber. In operation, a power supply is controlled such that the power supply selectively supplies an electric signal sufficient to cause the gas to generate a plasma having a desired plasma gradient. | 05-26-2011 |
20110233379 | OPTICAL SIGNAL GENERATOR AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE SAME - An optical signal generator includes a single-mode laser; a reflecting mirror to define another cavity different from a cavity of the single-mode laser, and reflect a part of output light from the single-mode laser to return the part of the output light to the single-mode laser; an intensity modulator provided between the single-mode laser and the reflecting mirror; and a phase adjuster, provided between the single-mode laser and the reflecting mirror, to adjust a frequency difference between a signal on state and a signal off state generated in accordance with intensity modulation by the intensity modulator. | 09-29-2011 |
20120018614 | SOURCE-INDEPENDENT BEAM DIRECTOR AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A HIGH-ENERGY ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION SOURCE - A high-energy beam is precompensated by a process including receiving a high-energy beam from a source and energy from a target. The target energy includes wavefront aberrations related to atmospheric and other external disturbances encountered along a distance separating the target. A correction signal is determined responsive to the high-energy beam and the target energy. The correction signal is also configured to pre-compensate for wavefront aberrations related to the atmospheric and other external disturbances and to cancel aberrations introduced by the adaptive optics techniques. A wavefront of the outcoupled high-energy beam is adjusted responsive to the determined correction signal. A beam control system includes three adaptive optics servo loops and an aperture-sharing element. The arrangement is adapted to self-cancel internal optical-path-difference errors in the outcoupled beam and to pre-compensate the outcoupled beam according to a conjugate of the wavefront aberrations related to atmospheric and other external disturbances. | 01-26-2012 |
20120032065 | DYNAMIC WAVEFRONT CONTROL OF A FREQUENCY CONVERTED LASER SYSTEM - The present invention is directed to a laser system in which a current laser wavefront performance of the laser system may be monitored. Further, the laser system embodiments disclosed herein may be configured for correcting the laser wavefront internally via correction system(s) within the laser system. Still further, the correction system(s) disclosed herein may provide a long lifetime of performance and may be configured for having a minimal impact on photocontamination. | 02-09-2012 |
20120074294 | DISCRETE WAVEFRONT SAMPLING USING A VARIABLE TRANSMISSION FILTER - A discrete wavefront measurement device uses a variable transmission filter (VTF) to decouple the dynamic range of tilt angle measurements in the wavefront from the spatial sampling resolution and the measurement sensitivity as regards the physics of the readout. This approach allows the discrete wavefront measurement device to be configured to a specified dynamic range, transverse sampling resolution and measurement sensitivity at low cost. | 03-29-2012 |
20120267510 | Optical Surface Shape Determination by Mapping a Lenslet Array Spot Pattern to a Spatial Frequency Space - Devices systems, and methods can characterize an optical surface of an object. A wavefront sensor system focuses light energy propagating from the object to form a pattern on a detector. The system maps the pattern to an array with a transform function such as a Fourier transform. The values of array correspond to characteristic locations and signals in a transform space, for example an intensity of spatial frequency signals in frequency space. The characteristic location and intensity of these signals in transform space are used to measure the optical surface. For example, a characteristic frequency of a spatial frequency intensity peak in Fourier transform space can be used to estimate the location of spots on the detector. Alternatively, the characteristics can be used to the measure sphere, cylinder and axis of a wavefront, wavefront elevation maps and point spread functions, often without locating positions of individual spots on the detector. | 10-25-2012 |
20120292481 | MULTI-BEAM LASER BEAM CONTROL AND IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A multi-beam laser beam control and imaging system includes a laser transmitter configured to emit light in a plurality of beamlets towards a target. At least one of the beamlets illuminates the whole target or a substantial portion of the target when imaging the target. A sensor is configured to receive light from the beamlets. A processor is communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to compute a relative phase of a wavefront of at least one beamlet based on output from the sensor. The processor also reconstructs a wavefront which is used to formulate two or three dimensional images of the target. A controller is communicably coupled to the processor and to the laser transmitter. The controller is configured to adjust a phase of at least one of the beamlets. | 11-22-2012 |
20140231618 | Apparatus for Coherent Beam Combining in an Array of Laser Collimators - A method and apparatus for coherent beam combining in an array of laser beam collimators. The array of laser beam collimators includes an array of a plurality collimating lenses, each lens intercepting a respective one of a plurality of divergent laser beams. Each collimating lens is joined with adjacent collimating lenses such that an output aperture is formed with a common vertex of the adjacently joined collimating lenses. A concave mirror is positioned a distance from the common vertex for receiving a fraction of each of the collimated laser beams that passed through a portion of each of the collimating lenses that are adjacent to the common vertex, and then providing reflected fractional collimated laser beams. A sensor intercepts the reflected fractional collimated laser beams so as to provide a signal that is applied to synchronize the phase of each of the collimated laser beams. | 08-21-2014 |
20150069216 | LASER BEAM CONTROL SYSTEM WITH BIDIRECTIONAL BEAM DIRECTOR - A bidirectional beam director includes a pair of optically coupled diffraction gratings, each being independently rotatable so that a laser beam passing through the pair of gratings can be steered by rotation of at least one of the gratings. The bidirectional beam can be coupled to many types of optical systems, including optical phased arrays, multi-beam laser transmitters and receivers, telescopes, and high energy laser beam control systems. | 03-12-2015 |
20150301333 | DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE PHASE OF AN OPTICAL WAVEFRONT - According to one aspect, the invention relates to a device ( | 10-22-2015 |
20160124222 | CORRESPONDENCE RELATION SPECIFYING METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE OPTICS SYSTEM, WAVEFRONT DISTORTION COMPENSATION METHOD, ADAPTIVE OPTICS SYSTEM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM FOR ADAPTIVE OPTICS SYSTEM - An adaptive optics system includes a spatial light modulator configured to spatially modulate a phase of an optical image incident on a modulation surface including N two-dimensionally arranged regions and a wavefront sensor including a lens array having N two-dimensionally arranged lenses corresponding to the N regions and an optical detection element for detecting a light intensity distribution including K converging spots formed by the lens array and configured to receive the optical image after the modulation from the spatial light modulator, wherein a correspondence relation between the region of the spatial light modulator and the converging spot formed in the wavefront sensor is specified. | 05-05-2016 |
20160131901 | ADJUSTMENT METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE OPTICS SYSTEM, ADAPTIVE OPTICS SYSTEM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM FOR ADAPTIVE OPTICS SYSTEM - An adaptive optics system includes a spatial light modulator configured to spatially modulate a phase of an optical image incident on a modulation surface and a wavefront sensor including a lens array having a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged lenses and an optical detection element for detecting a light intensity distribution including converging spots formed by the lens array and configured to receive the optical image after the modulation from the spatial light modulator, and compensates for wavefront distribution by controlling a phase pattern displayed in the spatial light modulator based on a wavefront shape of the optical image obtained from the light intensity distribution, wherein a correspondence relation between the modulation surface and the wavefront sensor is adjusted. | 05-12-2016 |