278 results about "Optical interferometer" patented technology

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems for phase measurement which address the problem of phase noise using combinations of a number of strategies including, but not limited to, common-path interferometry, phase referencing, active stabilization and differential measurement. Embodiment are directed to optical devices for imaging small biological objects with light. These embodiments can be applied to the fields of, for example, cellular physiology and neuroscience. These preferred embodiments are based on principles of phase measurements and imaging technologies. The scientific motivation for using phase measurements and imaging technologies is derived from, for example, cellular biology at the sub-micron level which can include, without limitation, imaging origins of dysplasia, cellular communication, neuronal transmission and implementation of the genetic code. The structure and dynamics of sub-cellular constituents cannot be currently studied in their native state using the existing methods and technologies including, for example, x-ray and neutron scattering. In contrast, light based techniques with nanometer resolution enable the cellular machinery to be studied in its native state. Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention include systems based on principles of interferometry and / or phase measurements and are used to study cellular physiology. These systems include principles of low coherence interferometry (LCI) using optical interferometers to measure phase, or light scattering spectroscopy (LSS) wherein interference within the cellular components themselves is used, or in the alternative the principles of LCI and LSS can be combined to result in systems of the present invention.

An optical imaging system includes an optical radiation source (410, 510), a frequency clock module outputting frequency clock signals (420), an optical interferometer (430), a data acquisition (DAQ) device (440) triggered by the frequency clock signals, and a computer (450) to perform multi-dimensional optical imaging of the samples. The frequency clock signals are processed by software or hardware to produce a record containing frequency-time relationship of the optical radiation source (410, 510) to trigger the sampling process of the DAQ device (440). The system may employ over-sampling and various digital signal processing methods to improve image quality. The system further includes multiple stages of routers (1418, 1425) connecting the light source (1410) with a plurality of interferometers (1420a-1420n) and a DAQ system (1450) triggered by frequency clock signals to perform high-speed multi-channel optical imaging of samples.

Real time high speed high resolution hyper-spectral imaging. (a) electromagnetic radiation collimating element (16), collimating electromagnetic radiation (44) emitted by objects (12) in a scene or a sample (14); (b) optical interferometer (18), receiving and dividing collimated object emission beam, generating interference images, and determining and piezoelectrically changing magnitude of optical path difference of divided collimated object emission beam; optical interferometer (18) includes: beam splitter (20′), fixed mirror (22), movable mirror (24), piezoelectric motor (26), displacing movable mirror (24) along axis (60), distance change feedback sensor (28), sensing and measuring change in distance of movable mirror (24) along axis (60), piezoelectric motor controller (30), actuating and controlling piezoelectric motor (26); and thermo-mechanically stable optical interferometer mount (32A); (c) camera optics (34), focusing interference images of each optical path difference; (d) detector (36), recording interference images; (e) central programming and signal processing unit (38), and (f) display (40).

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems for phase measurement which address the problem of phase noise using combinations of a number of strategies including, but not limited to, common-path interferometry, phase referencing, active stabilization and differential measurement. Embodiment are directed to optical devices for imaging small biological objects with light. These embodiments can be applied to the fields of, for example, cellular physiology and neuroscience. These preferred embodiments are based on principles of phase measurements and imaging technologies. The scientific motivation for using phase measurements and imaging technologies is derived from, for example, cellular biology at the sub-micron level which can include, without limitation, imaging origins of dysplasia, cellular communication, neuronal transmission and implementation of the genetic code. The structure and dynamics of sub-cellular constituents cannot be currently studied in their native state using the existing methods and technologies including, for example, x-ray and neutron scattering. In contrast, light based techniques with nanometer resolution enable the cellular machinery to be studied in its native state. Thus, preferred embodiments of the present invention include systems based on principles of interferometry and / or phase measurements and are used to study cellular physiology. These systems include principles of low coherence interferometry (LCI) using optical interferometers to measure phase, or light scattering spectroscopy (LSS) wherein interference within the cellular components themselves is used, or in the alternative the principles of LCI and LSS can be combined to result in systems of the present invention.

Provided are techniques for generating optical vector beams (e.g., radially and azimuthally polarized light) using passive or active phase stable optical interferometry. Techniques may split an input optical beam into at least two output beams, and then couple those beams simultaneously into a passively phase stable optical interferometer. Beam splitting may be achieved by a diffractive optical element and coupling may be achieved by a single refractive optical device (lenses) or by a single mirror device (e.g., parabolic and spherical). The interferometer may provide the ability to manipulate (or transform) the polarization of part of the wavefront of each beam, as well as the ability to manipulate (or transform) the phase of part of the wavefront of each beam, such that the beams when combined have a vector beam polarization state.