Patent ID: 9188529
Filing Date: 2015-11-17
Classification: G01N,G02B,G03H

Abstract:
1. A method for determining refractive index at a plurality of points in a medium, comprising the steps of: providing a source of light for generating a collimated beam of coherent light; providing an optical microscope having a focal plane; providing a fluid medium whose refractive index is to be determined; providing a refractive index probe comprised of at least one probe particle disposed in the medium; inputting the coherent light to the optical microscope and illuminating the at least one probe particle disposed in the medium; forming an interference pattern in the focal plane from light scattered by the at least one probe particle and an unscattered portion of the collimated beam; recording the interference pattern; and analyzing the interference pattern and fitting the pattern to obtain the refractive index of the medium in the focal plane of the refractive index probe in the medium.