Patent ID: 6563588
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
Apparatus for measuring characteristics of capillary waves on the surface of a fluid comprisingtwo laterally spaced apart sine wave generators coupled together generating a standing wave on the surface of the fluid, the standing wave having nodes therealong, a laser coupled to an optic transmission line to pass laser light thereinto, the optic transmission line having a terminus disposed above and near the surface of the fluid to permit laser light to be directed substantially perpendicularly onto the surface, the terminus internally reflecting some laser light into the optic transmission line and receiving laser light reflected from the surface, a detector coupled to the optic transmission line to detect an interference pattern in the optic transmission line created by interaction of the reflected light from the surface and the light reflected by the terminus, the interference pattern responsive to the amplitude of the portion of the standing wave below the terminus, the terminus being continuously laterally moveable, a measurement element to measure lateral movement of the terminus, whereby the distance between nodes of the standing wave may be measured and the amplitude profile of the standing wave may be mapped.