Patent ID: 6414782
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: G01J,G02B

Abstract:
A luminous intensity sensor element, characterized by comprising:at least a deformable flat element (2) made of a single thermally expandable material; at least an optically absorbing coating layer (4) covering a first face (3) of said deformable element (2); and at least a reflecting coating layer (6) covering a second face (5) of said deformable element; (2); said optically absorbing coating layer (4) receiving exciting radiation (R) for heating the optically absorbing coating layer (4) so that the energy of the exciting radiation (R) is converted into heat that is transmitted by conduction to said deformable element (2); said deformable flat element (2) being heated in spatially non uniform manner with a maximum of temperature on the first face (5) and a minimum of temperature on the second face (5); said deformable flat element (2) being deformed at least partially as a result of the temperature gradient inside the deformable element (2) and said deformation (&Dgr;d) being transmitted to the reflecting coating layer (6) to produce a deformation (&Dgr;d) of the reflecting coating layer (6); said reflecting coating layer (6) being suitable for receiving an incident reference light beam (S) and generating a reflected light beam having optical characteristics (&Dgr;&phgr;) depending on said deformation (&Dgr;d) and varying in response to said exciting radiation (R).