Patent ID: 6016197
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
A compact, all-optical spectrum analyzer for use with fiber optic chemical sensors and biological sensors comprising:means of accepting and delivering a signal light beam whose spectrum contains information about a chemical or biological species, being detected, and whose spectrum is to be analyzed;a beam splitter accepting said signal light beam and splitting it into two output beams of substantially equal intensity and creating a far field interference pattern from said two output beams without using gratings;an optical means for performing a Fourier transform of a far field interference pattern from said two output beams and projecting said interference pattern as an optical image into a Fourier transform plane;an optical detector, said detector having means to select at least one section of said optical image within said Fourier transform plane; andmeans to analyze said optical image without computer analysis, on a real time scale, and to detect a chemical or biological species.