Patent ID: 6414473
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A sensor for characterizing free-space radiation, said sensor comprising:one of an electro-optic crystal or a magneto-optic crystal positionable so that the free-space radiation passes therethrough; means for generating a chirped optical probe signal and for co-propagating said chirped optical probe signal through said crystal with said free-space radiation such that a temporal waveform of said free-space radiation is encoded onto a wavelength spectrum of said chirped optical probe signal; and means for decoding a characteristic of said free-space radiation using said chirped optical probe signal with said temporal waveform of the free-space radiation encoded on its wavelength spectrum; wherein said means for generating comprises means for providing said chirped optical probe signal to impinge said crystal co-linearly in a same direction with said free-space radiation passing therethrough.