Santa Barbara Research Center

Other

Paul S Sugino

Leland V Gardner

Dennis Rose

Ed Russell

An apparatus (10) and method for testing the continuity of two optical fibers (12, 14) nonsimultaneously utilizing a single optical path. Two test light beams from a dual hybrid laser (30) are collimated and directed down a single optical path time-sequentially. The two light beams are linearly polarized in orthogonal planes. A quarter wave plate (42) converts the linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light, and an optical sequencer (22) directs the circularly polarized beams to a plurality of desired optical paths, each path comprising one or two optical fibers (12, 14). A second quarter wave plate (50) converts the circularly polarized light back into linearly polarized light, and a polarizing beamsplitter (24) reflects one of the beams and transmits the other. The two beams then enter the optical fibers (12, 14), where they are reflected by dichroic mirrors (26, 28) at the opposite end of the fibers (12, 14). The reflected beams retrace the original optical paths until they are reflected by a beamsplitter (38) which directs the beams onto a photodetector (58 ). The intensity of the light pulse detected by the photodetector (58) will indicate the continuity of the fibers (12, 14). Using this invention, measurements of the continuity of the two fibers (12, 14) can be made separately, resulting in increased sensitivity over methods which measure the two fibers (12, 14) simultaneously.

Separation of simultaneous events in a laser firing unit using a

An optical projection apparatus is disclosed for generating a planar light beam of substantially uniform intensity from a nonplanar multi-element light source 10 projecting a beam having a generally Gaussian intensity distribution. Light from the source 10 passes through an optical integrator rod 52 having a faceted entrance face 54 and a spherical exit face 50. The spherical exit face 50 is designed to move the image 42 of the rod entrance face that would otherwise be created between the objective lens 14 and output plane 40 to a position 48 between the lens 14 and the exit face 50. In such manner, localized hot spots which may be created by the image 42 of the entrance face are substantially eliminated thereby ensuring that the entire length of the beam between the lens 14 and output plane 40 has a substantially uniform intensity distribution.

Intermediate range intensity modification of gaussian beam using optical

Optical projection apparatus is disclosed for generating a planar light beam of substantially uniform intensity from a nonplanar multi-element light source projecting a beam having a generally Gaussian intensity distribution. In the preferred embodiment, an optical integrator rod having a faceted end face is used to essentially invert the cross-sectional intensity of the beam entering the entrance face so that when the beam leaves the exit face it has a generally uniform intensity. The body of the integrator rod serves to homogenize the nonplanar source into an exiting beam having substantially planar characteristics.

Optical integrator means for intensity modification of Gaussian beam

The disclosure concerns the determination of the ophthalmic parameters of a thin astigmatic optical element without requiring initial location of its cylindrical axis. The effective optical power of the eye or other element is measured in three mutually spaced meridians that are selected without regard for the cylindrical axis. The ophthalmic parameters of the element, typically the spherical power, the cylindrical power and the cylindrical axis, are then derived from the measured powers and their selected meridian angles. The power of an astigmatic element in a selected meridian intermediate the principal meridians may be determined in generally conventional manner by adjusting a test optical system to produce a sharp image of a suitable target, preferably with limitation of the image-forming light to rays that traverse the element close to the selected meridian. Also disclosed is a method of establishing correct focus of such a test system in terms of the lateral magnification of the target image rather than its sharpness. For that purpose the test system is typically of Badal type with effective aperture stop axially spaced from the element under test.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Maria, CA, United States of America

Paul S Sugino