Patent ID: 6323987
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: G01J,H01S

Abstract:
A multi-wavelength etalon comprising:a body which is transparent at least in a predetermined range of wavelengths and having first and second outwardly facing and opposing sides, the first side having a surface, the second side having a plurality of steps, each step having a surface substantially parallel to the surface of the first side, the surface of the first side and the surfaces of the steps being at least partially reflective;the first side and the surface of a particular one of the plurality of steps being separated by a thickness d;the difference between the thicknesses separating the first side and the surfaces of a pair of adjacent steps defining a step size .DELTA.d;the distance d being selected such that a transmission intensity curve of light transmitted through the etalon in the region of the particular step in response to light being applied substantially normal to the first side of the etalon is at a first relative peak when the applied light is of a first wavelength .lambda., is at a second adjacent relative peak when the applied light is of a second wavelength .lambda.+cs; andwherein the step size .DELTA.d is less than cs.