The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Oct. 16, 2007

Filed:

Jun. 01, 2005
Applicants:

Brunfeld Andrei, Cupertino, CA (US);

Gregory Toker, Jerusalem, IL;

Clark Bryan, Mountain View, CA (US);

Inventors:

Brunfeld Andrei, Cupertino, CA (US);

Gregory Toker, Jerusalem, IL;

Clark Bryan, Mountain View, CA (US);

Assignee:

Xyratex Technology Limited, Havant, Hampshire, GB;

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 21/86 (2006.01); G01V 8/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

A Fabry-Perot resonator apparatus and method for observing low reflectivity surfaces provides functional improvements for optical inspection and measurement systems, optical storage and retrieval systems as well as other optical systems when the a surface of interest in the resonator path has a lower than ideal reflectivity. The Fabry-Perot resonator is designed with an angle of incidence on the surface of interest deviating from normal incidence, effectively raising the reflectivity. Resonance is supported either by one or more reflectors oriented at angles with respect to the surface of interest, or by a focusing system that alters the directive angle of optical path(s) within the resonator such that the angle of incidence at an intersection of the optical path with the surface of interest is an angle other than normal. A normal incidence is maintained at the reflector(s), so that resonance is supported between the surface of interest and the reflector(s).


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