Patent ID: 7529481
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
1. An optical sampling system, comprising: a data input to receive a test signal; a sampling pulse input to receive a sampling pulse; an optical system configured to produce a first combination of the test signal and the sampling pulse having a first relative phase difference between the sampling pulse and the test signal, and to produce a second combination of the test signal and the sampling pulse; a retardation plate configured to receive the second combination and to modify a relative phase difference between the sampling pulse and the test signal so that the second combination has a second relative phase difference, wherein the second relative phase difference is different from the first relative phase difference; a first balanced detector and a second balanced detector configured to receive the first combination having the first relative phase difference and the second combination having the second relative phase difference, respectively, and produce a first balanced signal and a second balanced signal, respectively; and a signal processing system configured to combine the first balanced signal and the second balanced signal.