18522316. Laser Interferometer simplified abstract (SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION)

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Laser Interferometer

Organization Name

SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION

Inventor(s)

Kohei Yamada of Shiojiri (JP)

Atsushi Matsuo of Shiojiri (JP)

Laser Interferometer - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18522316 titled 'Laser Interferometer

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a laser interferometer system that includes a laser light source, an optical modulator, a photodetector, a demodulation circuit, and an oscillation circuit. The system utilizes a vibrator to modulate the laser light and extract information from the object being measured.

  • Laser light source emitting laser light towards an object
  • Optical modulator with a vibrator to modulate the laser light
  • Photodetector receiving the modulated laser light and outputting a light reception signal
  • Demodulation circuit extracting information from the light reception signal
  • Oscillation circuit using the vibrator as a signal source to output a reference signal
      1. Potential Applications

The technology can be used in precision measurement systems, such as in manufacturing processes, scientific research, and metrology.

      1. Problems Solved

The system allows for accurate and precise measurements of objects by modulating the laser light and extracting information from the object's response.

      1. Benefits

The laser interferometer system provides high accuracy, sensitivity, and reliability in measuring objects, making it suitable for various industrial and scientific applications.

      1. Potential Commercial Applications

The technology can be applied in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and research institutions for precise measurements and quality control.

      1. Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art could be traditional laser interferometers that use mirrors and beam splitters to measure distances and displacements with high precision.

    1. Unanswered Questions
      1. How does the system handle environmental factors that may affect the accuracy of measurements?

The patent application does not provide details on how the system compensates for environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations or vibrations that could impact measurement accuracy.

      1. What is the cost-effectiveness of implementing this technology compared to existing laser interferometer systems?

The patent application does not discuss the cost implications of integrating this laser interferometer system compared to traditional systems, which could be a crucial factor for commercial adoption.


Original Abstract Submitted

A laser interferometer includes: a laser light source configured to emit laser light toward an object; an optical modulator including a vibrator configured to modulate the laser light using the vibrator and superimpose a modulation signal on the laser light; a photodetector configured to receive the laser light including a sample signal derived from the object and the modulation signal, and to output a light reception signal; a demodulation circuit configured to demodulate the sample signal from the light reception signal based on a reference signal; and an oscillation circuit configured to operate using the vibrator as a signal source and output the reference signal to the demodulation circuit. The vibrator includes a vibration substrate having a base portion and a vibration unit coupled to the base portion. The vibration unit vibrates along an in-plane direction of the vibration substrate and includes a side surface intersecting with the in-plane direction.