Anthony A Smart

US Patent:

6469787, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Apr 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/825117

Inventors:

William V. Meyer - Lakewood OH
David S. Cannell - Santa Barbara CA
Anthony E. Smart - Costa Mesa CA

Assignee:

Ohio Aerospace Institute - Cleveland OH
The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G01N 2100

US Classification:

356342, 356336, 356 28, 356 401

Abstract:

An optical probe for analyzing a sample illuminated by a laser includes an input optical fiber operably connectable to the laser where the input optical fiber has an entrance end and an exit end. The probe also includes a first beam splitter where the first beam splitter is adapted to transmit an alignment portion of a light beam from the input fiber exit end and to reflect a homodyning portion of the light beam from the input fiber. The probe also includes a lens between the input fiber exit end and the first beam splitter and a first and a second output optical fiber, each having an entrance end and an exit end, each exit end being operably connectable to respective optical detectors. The probe also includes a second beam splitter which is adapted to reflect at least a portion of the reflected homodyning portion into the output fiber entrance ends and to transmit light from the laser scattered by the sample into the entrance ends.

US Patent:

6181430, Jan 30, 2001

Filed:

Mar 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/270202

Inventors:

William V. Meyer - Lakewood OH
Anthony E. Smart - Costa Mesa CA

Assignee:

Ohio Aerospace Institute - Brook Park OH

International Classification:

G01B 902

US Classification:

356495

Abstract:

An interferometer having a light beam source that produces a plurality of separate and distinct wavelengths of light. Optic fibers are used to transport the wavelengths of light toward an object surface and to allow light reflected from the object to pass through a polarizer to improve the polarization ratio of the reflected light to determine a characteristic of the object surface.

US Patent:

59561394, Sep 21, 1999

Filed:

Aug 4, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/905536

Inventors:

William V. Meyer - Lakewood OH
David S. Cannell - Santa Barbara CA
Padetha Tin - Strongsville OH
H. Michael Cheung - Hudson OH
J. Adin Mann - Cleveland Heights OH
Thomas W. Taylor - Cleveland OH
James A. Lock - Cleveland Heights OH
Jixiang Zhu - Bridgewater NJ
Anthony E. Smart - Costa Mesa CA

Assignee:

Ohio Aerospace Institute - Brook Park OH

International Classification:

G01N 2100

US Classification:

356338

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for analyzing a fluid containing light scattering components. The apparatus includes a laser adapted to direct abeam of light into the fluid such as a liquid containing particles, and at least two detectors to receive light scattered by the fluid, which received light is used to calculate a physical property of the fluid. A focusing lens may be used to focus the light beam to a focal waist in the fluid to enhance the degree of spatial coherence of the scattered light. The two detectors are aligned onto the focal waist and are adapted to send a signal to a data processor which correlates the signal received from said two detectors. The two detectors are spaced a substantially equal distance from the focal waist and are oriented at substantially the same angle with respect to the direction of propagation of the incident beam. The data processor is adapted to cross-correlate the signals received from the two detectors. A polarizer can be positioned between the focal waist and the two detectors to aid in positioning the detectors and to enhance the efficiency and speed of the measurement.