Showing papers on "Collimated light published in 1974"

Light source for optical waveguide bundle

Abstract: A source of optical wave energy for an optical communication system. One end of an optical waveguide fiber bundle is disposed in light-receiving relationship with respect to light from a Lambertian-type light source such as a light emitting diode. A spherical bead of transparent material disposed between the diode and the fiber bundle endface provides a rugged and inexpensive optical device that tends to collimate the light emitted from the diode.

Self-leveling laser assembly

Abstract: Self-leveling light beam projection apparatus for projecting and maintaining a beam of light along a predetermined path relative to the earth's vertical. A housing adapted for mounting in a predetermined plane includes a light source such as a laser generator for generating a collimated beam of light. A lens system including a pendulum mounting at least one lens is mounted for movement about mutually perpendicular axes to seek the vertical and to maintain the projected beam along the predetermined path despite the relative positions of the housing and light source.

Autosynchronous optical scanning and recording laser system with fiber optic light detection

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for making displays, printing plates, electrical circuit boards, and generally reproductions of originals in reduced, enlarged or full size comprising generating a collimated beam of interrogating light; optically deviating and raster scanning the beam and a recording beam; and receiving light from the object adjacent the scan line and transmitting said received light to a photodetector to generate an electrical signal representative of the light from the object using a fiber optic line to spot converter Any photosensitive recording medium; a photocurable composition, a thin metal ablative film, silver halide film, an electrostatically charged photoconductor, thermoplastic deformation material or other physically or chemically alterable media, including ovonic, liquid crystal, photochromic or vesicular films, can be used

Noncontact surface profilometer

Abstract: An electrooptical sensor is described for providing an output proportional to the surface profile and the first derivative of the surface profile in a noncontacting manner. A narrow, collimated laser beam is scanned across the surface of the article to be measured. The scanning laser beam is produced with a uniformly rotating mirror and a lens, and the scanning beam is nominally perpendicular to the surface of the article being measured. The laser beam reflected by the surface is collected by a lens and focused onto a photoelectric position sensor. The output of the position sensor is proportional to the first derivative of the article surface profile. Since this first derivative will in general include a component originating from the tilt of the article surface relative to the scanning laser beam, means are provided for separating this effect from the intrinsic surface slope. By electronically integrating the first derivative output, an output representing the surface profile is obtained.

Edge-sensing with a scanning laser beam

Abstract: An electrooptical sensor is described which provides an output for precisely locating the edge of an object. By passing a collimated laser beam across the edge of an opaque object, either by moving the laser beam, by moving the object, or both, and photoelectrically sensing the light passing by the object, the coincidence of the edge of the object and the center of the laser beam can be precisely determined from the first and second derivatives of the output of a photodetector.

Fan beam X- or γ-ray 3-D tomography

Abstract: A fan-shaped beam of penetrating radiation, such as X-ray or γ-ray radiation, is directed through a slice of the body to be analyzed to a position sensitive detector for deriving a shadowgraph of transmission or absorption of the penetrating radiation by the body. A number of shadowgraphs are obtained for different angles of rotation of the fan-shaped beam relative to the center of the slice being analyzed. The detected fan beam shadowgraph data is reordered into shadowgraph data corresponding to sets of parallel paths of radiation through the body. The reordered parallel path shadowgraph data is then convoluted in accordance with a 3-D reconstruction method by convolution in a computer to derive a 3-D reconstructed tomograph of the body under analysis. In a preferred embodiment, the position sensitive detector comprises a multiwire detector wherein the wires are arrayed parallel to the direction of the divergent penetrating rays to be detected. A focussed grid collimator is interposed between the body and the position sensitive detector for collimating the penetrating rays to be detected. The source of penetrating radiation is preferably a monochromatic source.

Light reference system for aiding operator positioning of load handling devices and the like

Abstract: A light reference system for generating a collimated beam of light and converting and projecting the same as a relatively intense fan-shaped or diverging plane of light from an operator manipulatable device on a machine or a vehicle to an object or opening which may be positionally referenced to the device in a selected predetermined relation by operator control of the machine or vehicle and manipulatable device, thus enabling the operator to observably locate a sharply defined resulting line of light so as to establish such selected relation. The light reference system is capable of a number of different embodiments or forms, a few of which are disclosed herein. An exemplary embodiment of the machine or vehicle with which such a system is combined herein is of a fork lift truck vehicle on which the light reference system in various forms is mounted on the elevatable load handling device or fork carrier for generating a collimated beam of light and for converting the same into a flat plane of diverging light, referred to usually herein as a ''''fanshape'''' of light, having abrupt demarcation in intensity and projected as a relatively intense operator observable line of light to any selected object, such as to a pallet in an elevated bin of a storage rack, in a predetermined attitude with respect to the load handling device such as the fork of a fork truck. Also disclosed is an embodiment which projects an image or visual reference in the form of a line of light, generated by a scanning laser beam, and projected on surfaces in the path of the projected light such as a pallet as recited above.

Method and apparatus for X-ray or γ-ray 3-D tomography using a fan beam

Abstract: A fan-shaped beam of penetrating radiation, such as X-ray or γ-ray radiation, is directed through a slice of the body to be analyzed to a position sensitive detector for deriving a shadowgraph of transmission or absorption of the penetrating radiation by the body. A number of such shadowgraphs are obtained for different angles of rotation of the fan-shaped beam relative to the center of the slice being analyzed. The detected fan beam shadowgraph data is reordered into shadowgraph data corresponding to sets of parallel paths of radiation through the body. The reordered parallel path shadowgraph data is then convoluted in accordance with a 3-D reconstruction method by convolution in a computer to derive a 3-D reconstructed tomograph of the body under analysis. In a preferred embodiment, the position sensitive detector comprises a multiwire detector wherein the wires are arrayed parallel to the direction of the divergent penetrating rays to be detected. A focussed grid collimator is interposed between the body and the position sensitive detector for collimating the penetrating rays to be detected. The source of penetrating radiation is preferably a monochromatic source.

Method and apparatus for determining the refractive characteristics of a lens

Abstract: The refractive powers of a lens are determined by analyzing the displacement and directions of displacement for a plurality of at least three non-coplanar rays when the lens is inserted into a bundle of collimated rays. The plane of measurement for the displacements and directions of displacement is at a known distance beyond the lens.

Electronic line monitoring system for a tennis court

Abstract: An optical tennis line sensing system employs a double beam laser for projecting only a pair of collimated beams of light along the entire outer boundary and base lines of a tennis court with one beam positioned on the line slightly above the playing surface and the remaining being positioned slightly outside the lines. A detector circuit including photo multiplier light sensors detects interruptions of the light beam in a timed sequence for generating a signal indicating when a tennis ball is out of bounds. The detector circuit discriminates between momentary interruption of one of the light beams by a tennis ball and interruption of one or both of the light beams by the player's foot. Display means coupled to the detector circuit displays only out-of-bounds shots which are marginal and which cannot be accurately called by the line judges. A laser beam and photomultiplier and associated detection and display circuit are also employed at the service lines and along the top of the net to detect fault and let services respectively.

Non-contact dimensional measurement technique

Abstract: A high-speed technique for making accurate dimensional measurements of objects without physically touching the objects. The technique involves generating a low-divergence, collimated light beam which acts to silhouette the object to be measured to produce an image thereof that can be viewed and analyzed by a programmed electro-optical scanner in a manner yielding highly accurate dimensional information substantially independent of the location of the object relative to the viewer.

Self referencing retransmitting alignment sensor for a collimated light beam

Abstract: The alignment of a collimated light beam is monitored by diverting a sample portion of the beam through an auxiliary optical light beam transmission system which converts the sample portion into an annular collimated light beam and transmits it coaxially with the main beam. The annular beam is reflected back through its transmission system by a fixed reference annular mirror that permits the passage of the main beam through its aperture. The retransmitted annular beam is divided to sensors that detect its angular misalignment and lateral displacement as a true measure of main beam alignment relative to the fixed reference annular mirror. End to end main beam alignment is accomplished by servo controlled optical elements that respond to the outputs of these sensors and to the outputs of sensors that measure alignment of the main beam input.

Optical microcircuit printing system

Abstract: A system is disclosed for exposing to ultraviolet light a semi-conductor or hybrid substrate coated with photo-resist, in back of a mask having bars and very narrow slits, the diffraction patterns ordinarily experienced at the substrate being virtually eliminated through use, between the light source and the mask, of a light integrator comprised of two successive matrixes of very small lenses or lenticules. The lenticules form a large number of magnified, superimposed, slightly displaced images of the light source in the plane of the substrate; and when the slitted mask is interposed, this light forms a large number of diffraction patterns on the substrate which, because of their large number, superimposition, and slight displacement, results in extreme uniformity of light intensity and sharp resolution throughout the pattern of light on the substrate. A variable aperture is used in connection with the light integrator, and controls the half-angle of collimation by a collimator lens placed between the light integrator and the mask. Means are also provided for modifying the aperture pattern of this aperture plate changing it, for example, to one or more off-axis sub-apertures. a field lens is also used to improve superimposition of the lenticule images on the target.

Integrated grating output coupler in diode lasers

Abstract: A heterojunction diode laser which produces a highly collimated, polarized light beam perpendicular to the plane of the PN junction of the laser rather than through cleaved end faces in the plane of the PN junction. The diode laser includes a periodic structure which is buried at a heterojunction interface and in contact with a light waveguide layer. The periodic structure acts to produce the feedback necessary for lasing. If the spacing of the teeth of the periodic structure are an integer number of wavelengths of the light photons produced in the laser, the light beam exits at an angle perpendicular to the plane of the PN junction. If a tooth spacing is chosen that is not equal to an integer number of wavelengths of the light photons produced in the laser, the light beam may emerge from the diode at an angle other than the normal with the specific angle determined by the particular tooth spacing. To increase output intensity, the ends of the laser perpendicular to the plane of the PN junction and parallel to the teeth of the periodic structure may be cleaved and coated with a highly light reflective film.

Part locating, mask alignment and mask alignment verification system

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating target patterns with reference to a fixed axis. The apparatus includes a collimated light source providing a light beam to a rotating prism and optical flat producing a rotating light beam. A lens whose axis is the fixed axis focuses the beam to a spot on a surface containing a pattern comprising regularly spaced light scattering surfaces. A light sensor detects light from the rotating beam scattered by the target. An incremental shaft encoder provides a real time indication of spot position. The light sensor output provides a measure of target location and orientation with reference to the lens axis. The encoder can be used to control sampling apparatus and an A/D converter to provide regular digital samples of the light sensor output. The method includes providing a target with regularly spaced light scattering areas, rotating a light beam about an axis, detecting the scattered light and determining from the relative radial spot position at the time scattered light is detected the relationship between the beam axis and the target axis and orientation. The basic apparatus and method referred to above is useful in the manufacture of integrated circuits. More comprehensive apparatuses and methods are disclosed which employ the basic method and apparatus to determine mask alignment and perform mask alignment verification in the manufacture of integrated circuits.

Light exposure apparatus for printing

Abstract: In the apparatus, an image of a mask is printed on a light-sensitive layer while minimizing the debasing influences due to the diffraction occurring on the layer surface as well as due to the standing wave occurring in the layer. This apparatus includes an arrangement such that the rays coming from a light source are collimated and then directed to a fly's eye lens assembly, and the exit rays from this assembly are again collimated to illuminate the mask. The luminous fluxes of parallel rays impinging upon the mask at various angles of incidence remove the influences of diffraction on the image of the mask. Also this apparatus includes a filter removably inserted in the optical path between the light source and the assembly to remove the influence of the standing wave.

Measuring rotationally symmetric potential profiles with an electron-beam probe

Abstract: An electron‐beam probe has been developed to measure the potential profile of a plasma within a spherical grid structure which was designed to trap charged particles. The potential was obtained from observed deflections of a collimated beam of electrons incident upon the device at selected impact parameters. The beam consisted of conversion electrons of 62.2 and 84.2 keV from a Cd109 source. Deflections of the beam through the plasma were measured relative to the beam trajectory without voltage applied to the grids. A movable detector allowed angular resolution to within 0.08 deg for maximum deflections of 7 deg. The inversion of the nonlinear singular integral relating potential and deflection is accomplished in an iterative manner with appropriate series expansions about the singular points. Simulations using postulated potential profiles show this procedure to give accuracy typically better than 4% with 20 deflection samples. Beam deflection measurements in spherical electrostatic systems without plasma show this probe technique to be very accurate. For a variety of experimentally controlled plasma parameters, no measurable departures from electrostatic potential profiles were observed.

360{20 {0 Azimuth scanning antenna without rotating RF joints

Abstract: A 360* scanning radar antenna has a plurality of primary focusing-structures arranged in a circular fashion illuminating corresponding secondary focusing-structures which in turn are arranged about, and directed toward, a rotating multi-sided halfwave plane reflector. Radar energy is switched to radiate from a given primary focusing-structure during the time when the plane reflector is in position to reflect all of the energy collimated by the corresponding secondary focusing-structure. The secondary focusing-structure may be made to appear transparent to the beam reflected by the plane reflector.

Method of converting circular scanning lines into linear scanning lines

Abstract: A hologram which has a function to deflect a beam forming a circular scanning line to make it form a linear scanning line is located at a position to receive the light beam from a device which emits a beam forming a circular scanning line. The hologram is prepared by making interference between a collimated beam and a converging beam having an annular cross section.

Method and means for enhancing prints for direct comparison

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing prints, such as fingerprints, for direct comparison. The method utilizes a transparent pressure-sensitive gel to capture a print pattern. A polarized beam of collimated light is passed through the gel. The pattern features impressed in the surface of the gel scatter light out of the optical path. The beam is then directed to a polarizing element oriented so as to filter out the scattered light rays and thereby produce a high-contrast image for direct viewing or further automated processing. In one embodiment of the apparatus single pressure-sensitive transparencies of individual prints are inserted in a polarized light path. In another, a film transport mechanism exposes successive regions of a strip of transparent pressure-sensitive film in a window for application of individual prints and advances the film to position each image imprinted on the film surface in the polarized light path. In both embodiments the modified light beam emitted by the transparency is projected through a polarization analyzer. A lens train further enhances the image by magnifying it and apodizing the enlargement.

Measuring method and system using a diffraction pattern

Abstract: A spot of collimated monochromatic radiation is applied to a semiconductor wafer to obtain a diffraction pattern from two edges within an area, which is the size of the spot, on the wafer. The diffraction pattern is reflected to a photodiode array wherein the light intensity of the diffraction pattern at each of a plurality of positions is obtained. Each of the photodiodes is scanned separately for the same period of time to determine the light intensity at its location. The distance between the zero intensity positions on the photodiode array is determined very precisely and utilized with the wavelength of a laser, which supplies the spot of collimated monochromatic radiation, and the effective focal length of the lens system, which images the diffraction pattern to the photodiode array, to calculate the linear distance between the edges.

Laser beam recording system

Abstract: A rotary polygonal mirror is used to horizontally deflect a laser beam emitted by a laser source. A cylindrical lens is provided between the laser source and the rotary polygonal mirror for vertically converging the laser beam to form a horizontally extending light spot on the face of the rotary mirror. The beam reflected by the face of the mirror is vertically collimated and horizontally converged by a convergent lens to form a vertically extending light spot on an elemental hologram plate. By the hologram plate, the beam is vertically converged. Behind the hologram plate is located another cylindrical lens for horizontally converging the beam. By the vertical convergence effect of the elemental hologram plate and the horizontal convergence effect of the second cylindrical lens, the laser beam incident to the elemental hologram plate is converged to a minute light spot on a focusing plane. A microfilm is located on the focusing plane and the laser beam scans the microfilm to record information thereon.

Gyroscopic image motion compensator for a motion picture camera

Abstract: In a motion picture camera having a variable focal length lens system including a focal converter and a film exposure window formed therein, behind which film to be exposed passes, an imagemovement compensation device is provided for improving the definition of images recorded by the camera when the camera is subjected to vibrations. The image movement compensation device includes a reflecting element mounted in the camera to reflect a collimated light beam from the focal converter to the film passing the exposure window. The reflecting element is mounted for pivotal movement in the camera at the point of incidence of the light beam therewith in the elevation and azimuth planes. A magnetically damped gyroscopic stabilization means controls the spatial position of the reflecting element in the camera through a transmission means operatively connected therebetween. By this arrangement the light beam reflected from the reflecting element to the film is substantially unaffected by vibrations to which the camera is subjected and the point of incidence of the reflected light beam on the surface of the film at the exposure window remains constant.

Optical collimating alignment units

Abstract: An optical viewing alignment unit which includes a collimator on a main body optically directed to a beam splitting cube located in an optical viewing system, the face of the cube opposite the collimator being reflective, the collimator including an illuminated graticule whereby the collimator produces a datum image of the graticule directed through the same optical viewing system as the image.

Luminaire having a radial polarizing structure

Abstract: Luminaire apparatus is provided for illuminating a specified area with light having improved contrast characteristics. Collimated light is provided from an illumination apparatus to a radial polarizer. The radial polarizer linearly polarizes and radially distributes the collimated light. The radially polarized light then passes through a refractor, which spreads the radially polarized light for illuminating a wider area than would be possible without the refractor.

Light Acceptance Property of an Optical Fiber

Abstract: A set of curves is presented and discussed for the power in dielectric rod trapped modes launched by a coherent or highly collimated beam incident obliquely on the end of the rod. The parameters used include those of importance for modeling visual photoreceptors.