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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 02, 2015
Filed:
Jan. 14, 2011
Hugh Mortimer, Reading, GB;
Hugh Mortimer, Reading, GB;
THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITIES COUNCIL, Oxfordshire, GB;
Abstract
An interferometer is disclosed, such as may be incorporated into a hand-held spectrometer. The interferometer comprises enclosed path optics and a detector, the enclosed path optics comprise at least two reflecting elements and a beamsplitter, the beamsplitter is arranged to divide an input beam into first and second beams. The enclosed path optics are arranged to direct the first and second beams in opposite directions around paths enclosing an area and to output the first and second beams towards the detector. The enclosed path optics also focus the first and second beams onto the detector. The detector is arranged to detect a pattern produced by interference of the first and second beams. In a preferred embodiment the two reflecting elements are a pair of concave mirrors, and the enclosed path optics enclose a triangular area. The use of concave mirrors for both reflection and focussing provides the interferometer with compactness.