Patent ID: 6034924
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: G01H,G01S

Abstract:
An acoustic sensor comprising:a source of a light;a first coupler which couples said light to a first optical path having a first optical length and to an array of sensors, said array of sensors comprising at least a first sensor, said first sensor being in a second optical path having a second optical length different from said first optical length;a second coupler which receives light from said first optical path and from said array and couples said light to an optical delay path, said light returning from said optical delay path to said second coupler, said second coupler coupling said light returning from said optical delay path to said first optical path and to said array, said light returning from said optical delay propagating through said first optical path and said array to said first coupler, said first coupler combining said light from said first optical path and said array to cause light traveling equal distances through said first optical path and said array to interfere and generate a detectable output signal, said detectable output signal varying in response to acoustic energy impinging on said first sensor; andat least one detector which detects said detectable output signals to generate a detector output signal responsive to variations in said detectable output signal from said first coupler.