US 12,216,058 B2
Low-aberration high-speed-compatible optical delay lines and methods thereof
Marcus Cicerone, Atlanta, GA (US); and Xavier Audier, Atlanta, GA (US)
Assigned to Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Jan. 5, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/405,202.
Application 18/405,202 is a continuation of application No. 17/619,630, granted, now 11,913,886, previously published as PCT/US2020/037871, filed on Jun. 16, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/004,777, filed on Apr. 3, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/862,598, filed on Jun. 17, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0151649 A1, May 9, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 21/65 (2006.01); G02B 26/10 (2006.01); G02B 26/12 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/65 (2013.01) [G02B 26/105 (2013.01); G02B 26/125 (2013.01); G01N 2021/653 (2013.01); G02B 2207/117 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A delay module configured to delay a first light field to create a delayed light field comprising:
a movable mirror, rotatable about an axis;
a focusing optical element having a focal axis parallel to the rotation axis of the movable mirror; and
a return mirror;
wherein the movable mirror is configured to:
receive the first light field at a first light path and a first path length;
vary the first path length as the movable mirror rotates; and
reflect the first light field to the focusing optical element along a plane that does not include the first light path;
wherein the focusing optical element is configured to:
receive the first light field reflected from the movable mirror; and
focus the first light field on the return mirror;
wherein the focal axis of the focusing optical element is perpendicular to a movement of the first light field so that the first light field remains focused on the return mirror with minimum aberration throughout a range of motion of the first light field; and
wherein the return mirror is configured to:
receive the first light field reflected from the focusing optical element; and
reflect the first light field back to the focusing optical element and to the movable mirror along a second light path.