Deformometer for determining deformation of an optical cavity optic
Inventors
Ahmed, Zeeshan • Douglass, Kevin O. • Eckel, Stephen P. • Egan, Patrick F. • Hendricks, Jay H. • Stone, JR., Jack A.
Assignees
United States Department of Commerce
Publication Number
US-10935370-B2
Publication Date
2021-03-02
Expiration Date
2038-08-06
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Abstract
A deformometer includes: a cavity body; entry and exit optical cavity optics, such that the optical cavity produces filtered combined light from combined light; a first laser that provides first light; a second laser that provides second light; an optical combiner that: receives the first light; receives the second light; combines the first light and the second light; produces combined light from the first light and the second light; and communicates the combined light to the entry optical cavity optic; a beam splitter that: receives the filtered combined light; splits the filtered combined light; a first light detector in optical communication with the beam splitter and that: receives the first filtered light from the beam splitter; and produces a first cavity signal from the first filtered light; and a second light detector that: receives the second filtered light; and produces a second cavity signal from the second filtered light.
Core Innovation
The invention is a deformometer designed for determining deformation of optical cavity optics disposed on an optical cavity. The deformometer comprises an optical cavity with a cavity body, an entry optical cavity optic, and an exit optical cavity optic. Combined light from a first laser and a second laser is introduced into the entry optical cavity optic, transmitted through the cavity body, and received by the exit optical cavity optic. The optical cavity produces filtered combined light from the combined light, which is split and detected to produce cavity signals from which deformation of the entry and exit optical cavity optics is determined.
The deformometer uses multiple laser lights with distinct wavelengths combined and communicated through the optical cavity optics. Detection of filtered light after transmission through the cavity allows analysis of frequency shifts or intensity changes resulting from cavity deformation due to forces such as gas pressure inside the cavity body. The design may include optical combiners, beam splitters, light detectors, imagers, and optical frequency comb sources to enable precise measurement and analysis of deformation effects by comparing signals at different wavelengths or frequencies.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains two independent claims addressing the deformometer device and the process for determining deformation of an optical cavity optic.
Deformometer apparatus for determining optical cavity optic deformation
The deformometer includes an optical cavity with a cavity body, an entry and an exit optical cavity optic arranged in optical communication and opposition, which receive combined light from first and second lasers. The optical cavity filters the combined light to produce filtered combined light. A beam splitter splits this filtered light into first and second filtered light, which are received by respective first and second light detectors. From the detected signals, deformation of the entry and exit optical cavity optics is determined.
Process for determining deformation of an optical cavity optic with a deformometer
The process involves combining first and second light to produce combined light, receiving the combined light at the entry optical cavity optic, transmitting it through the optical cavity to the exit optical cavity optic, producing filtered combined light from transmission, splitting the filtered combined light into two filtered lights, and analyzing these filtered lights to determine deformation of both the entry and exit optical cavity optics.
The claims cover an apparatus using multiple lasers combined and transmitted through an optical cavity to produce filtered light signals split and detected to determine optical cavity optic deformation, and a process that combines laser light inputs for transmission through the cavity and analyzes filtered outputs to identify deformation.
Stated Advantages
Eliminates calibration uncertainties in Fabry-Perot refractometers and fixed-length optical cavities by removing deformation effects as a source of measurement error.
Enables primary pressure metrology, self-calibration of pressure transfer standards, and correction of deformation effects due to external forces.
Allows measurement of refractive index and dispersion of unknown gases using previously determined deformation parameters, enabling sequential gas analysis with a single device.
Provides a potential primary standard for pressure measurement across a broad range from 0.1 mPa to 3.6 MPa, offering improved accuracy and operational range over conventional methods.
Documented Applications
Primary pressure metrology for determining pressure based on optical cavity deformation measurements related to the refractive index of gases.
Self-calibration and error correction of pressure transfer standards and fixed-length optical cavities by precisely determining and compensating for deformation effects.
Measurement of refractive index and dispersion properties of known and unknown gases to facilitate gas analysis and pressure realization.
Replacement or improvement of conventional Fabry-Perot refractometers, mercury manometers, and piston gauges in pressure standard applications.
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