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:
Jul. 22, 2008

Filed:

Mar. 31, 2005
Applicant:

Roel DE Jonge, Veldhoven, NL;

Inventor:

Roel de Jonge, Veldhoven, NL;

Assignee:

ASML Netherlands B.V., Veldhoven, NL;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G03B 27/72 (2006.01); G03B 27/42 (2006.01); G03B 27/54 (2006.01); G03B 27/32 (2006.01); G02B 5/30 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

A system and method utilize a birefringence inducer to induce or change birefringence of an optical element to change an index of refraction within the optical element to produce a polarization-retarded light beam that passes through the optical element. The optical element can include one or more optical plates or adjustable optical compensators. The birefringence inducer can apply external forces on the optical element, such as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, or acoustical forces. A linear polarizer polarizes the output beam from the optical element to produce a linear polarized modified intensity light beam with a desired intensity distribution. A control system for controlling the inducing of birefringence can include an intensity detector and controller, and can provide a control signal to the birefringence inducer.


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