Patent ID: 6804470
Filing Date: 2004-10-12
Classification: G01J,G02F,G03H,H04B

Abstract:
A generator of energy-depleted radiation, comprising:at least one conventional source of coherent radiation providing a plurality of at least two coherent beams of energy-bearing radiation; and at least one-beam interaction element, including at least one interaction region into which are input the beams of energy-bearing radiation, and from which are derived a plurality of least two energy-depleted radiation beams having wave properties identical to those of the conventional source of radiation but having substantially reduced energy flux; wherein the beam interaction element includes means for directing the plurality of at least two coherent beams of energy-bearing radiation along paths that intersect in the interaction region and produce an interference pattern with zones of constructive interference and zones of destructive interference; and wherein the beam interaction element also includes means for selectively transmitting energy-depleted radiation from a plurality of at least two zones of destructive interference in the interaction region.