摘要:
In the measurements of optical characteristics, such as measurements of group delay using an interferometric system, vibration noise can be at least partially offset by providing corrections on the basis of detecting light patterns that are indicative of the vibration noise. In each embodiment, light beams propagating through first and second paths are combined to form an interference signal, which is analyzed to provide the basis for the adjustments.
摘要:
A heterodyne optical network analyzer and method for device characterization reduces the effect of relative intensity noise (RIN) in interferometric optical measurements by subtracting the measured intensities of first and second interference signals derived from an optical interferometer. The first and second interference signals are produced by combining a first lightwave transmitted to an optical device being characterized with a second lightwave, which is a delayed version of the first lightwave. The first and second lightwaves are derived by splitting an input lightwave having a continuously swept optical frequency generated by a light source, such as a continuously tunable laser.
摘要:
Utilizing frequency-dependent diffraction (also referred to as dispersion) to determine the angular position of a retro-reflective object within a scanning space. The technique involves dispersing an electromagnetic beam into a scanning space by frequency. If a retro-reflective object is located within the scanning space, the object will retro-reflect a portion of the dispersed beam having a frequency that is associated with the angular position of the retro-reflective object within the scanning space. The frequency of the retro-reflected beam is used to determine the angular position of the retro-reflective object within the scanning space. When a second beam is dispersed into the scanning space and a portion of the second beam is retro-reflected in the manner just described, a second angular position of the retro-reflective object can be found. Coordinates of the retro-reflective object are determinable by triangulation using the two angular positions. These are absolute, as opposed to relative, coordinates.
摘要:
A computer cursor control device includes (1) a light source generating light directed toward a stationary surface, (2) an optional phase modulator, (3) an optional function generator causing the phase modulator to periodically phase shift the light, and (4) a signal processor determining a direction in which the device is moving from a beat frequency or an asymmetry in the light intensity. Another computer cursor control device includes (1) an optical element combining reference and measurement beams to form a heterodyned beam, (2) a phase modulator located in an optical path of the reference beam or the measurement beam, (3) a function generator causing the phase modulator to phase shift the reference beam, and (4) a signal processor determining a direction in which the device is moving from a beat frequency of the heterodyned beam.
摘要:
The use of a high power and an incoherent light source to reduce noise associated when investigating unknown molecules in Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) systems. High power and incoherent light sources can improve resolution and accuracy of SPR system measurements.
摘要:
An optical position-tracking system comprises an optical device for generating an incident light beam and a reference light beam from a light beam. Moreover, the optical position-tracking system further comprises a light beam steering device for sweeping the incident light beam through an angular range to cause a reflection of the incident light beam by a target, whereas the reflection of the incident light beam is directed to interfere with the reference light beam to form an interference light beam. Additionally, the optical position-tracking system enables determination of a position of the target using an interferometric technique utilizing an angular value of the incident light beam and the interference light beam, whereas the angular value depends on the reflection.
摘要:
Monitoring an optical signal utilizing optical heterodyne detection involves attenuating an input signal before the input signal is combined with a local oscillator signal. The input signal is attenuated in order improve the signal to noise ratio of the heterodyne signal that is generated when the input signal and the local oscillator signal are combined. The signal to noise ratio of the heterodyne signal improves with attenuation of the input signal, specifically in the case where the intensity noise from the input signal is the dominant noise source, because the heterodyne signal and the intensity noise of the input signal scale differently with attenuation of the input signal.
摘要:
A test structure supports simultaneous characterization of a two port optical component. The test structure includes an input port for receiving an input signal from an optical source, two test ports for connecting the test structure to a component under test, separate optical paths for supplying reflected and transmitted optical response signals from the component under test to separate receivers, and optical components for combining a first portion of the input signal with the reflected optical response signal before the first portion of the input signal and the reflected optical response signal are detected by a first receiver and for combining a second portion of the input signal with the optical response signal before the second signal and the optical response signal are detected by a second receiver. The optical component of the test structure may be connected by optical fibers or integrated into a single substrate.
摘要:
Heterodyne-based optical spectrum analysis involves measuring the sweep rate of a swept local oscillator signal and then generating an output signal that accounts for non-uniformities in the sweep rate of the swept local oscillator signal. In an embodiment, an input signal is combined with a swept local oscillator signal in an optical coupler and the sweep rate of the swept local oscillator signal is measured in a relative frequency measurement system. The combined optical signal is output from the optical coupler to a receiver and a heterodyne beat signal is generated. The heterodyne beat signal and measured local oscillator frequency sweep rate information are utilized by a signal processor to generate an output signal that is indicative of an optical parameter of the input signal and that accounts for non-uniformities in the sweep rate of the local oscillator signal. Because the actual sweep rate of the swept local oscillator signal is measured during analysis of the input signal, the horizontal scale accuracy of heterodyne-based OSAs is improved.
摘要:
An optical heterodyne detection system includes an optical pre-selector that has an adjustable passband which is adjusted to track the wavelength of a swept local oscillator signal. In an embodiment, an input signal is combined with a swept local oscillator signal and the combined optical signal is filtered by the optical pre-selector. In another embodiment, the input signal is filtered by the optical pre-selector before the input signal and the swept local oscillator signal are combined. Filtering the input signal or the combined input signal and the swept local oscillator signal to pass a wavelength band that tracks the wavelength of the swept local oscillator signal reduces the noise contributed from WDM signals and increases the dynamic range of the optical heterodyne detection system. An embodiment of the optical heterodyne detection system includes an optical combining unit, an optical pre-selector for the combined input and swept local oscillator signals, and a photodetector. Another embodiment of the optical heterodyne detection system includes an optical pre-selector for the input signal, an optical combining unit, and a photodetector.