Patent ID: 6573990
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: G01J,G02B

Abstract:
An optical system having a defined first order spectral range that concurrently detects an optical calibration signal and an optical signal under test comprising:collimating optics having an optical axis and a focal plane receiving the optical calibration signal and the optical signal under test; a fiber array having a center axis that is colinear with the optical axis of the collimating optics and first and second pairs of optical fibers disposed in the focal plane of the collimating optics with each pair of fibers having an input optical fiber and an output optical fiber, the input and output optical fibers of each pair being symmetrically positioned on either side of the center axis with the input fiber of the first pair of optical fibers coupled to receive the optical signal under test; an optical source coupled to the input fiber of the second pair of optical fibers generating an optical calibration signal having second order or greater spectral lines that fall within the first order spectral range of the optical system; an optical tuning element receiving the optical calibration signal and the optical signal under test from the collimating optics for tuning the optical system over the first order spectral range to separate spectral components of the optical signal under test and pass the second order or greater spectral lines of the optical calibration signal; a first optical detector coupled to the output optical fiber of the first pair of optical fibers and responsive to the spectral components of the optical signal under test and less responsive to the second order or greater spectral lines of the optical calibration signal; and a second optical detector coupled to the-output optical fiber of the second pair of optical fibers and responsive to the second order or greater spectral lines of the optical calibration signal and less responsive to the spectral components of the optical signal under test.