Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
An inteferometer probe comprising means for generating a beam of coherent light, beam splitting means for dividing said beam of coherent light into an object beam and a reference beam, a probe structure in the form of a transluscent axisymmetric member having a prismatic end that in part defines a test volume for the accommodation of a test substance, and a beam input/output end, a beam splitter plate, light beam combining means for recombining said object and reference beams to form an output beam, said beam splitting means and said light beam combining means being integral portions of said beam splitter plate, said beam splitter plate being in spaced proximity to the beam input/output end of said transluscent axisymmetric member, a sleeve member encompassing said beam splitter plate and the outer end surface of said probe structure effecting a hermetically sealed volume therebetween, pressurized gas in said hermetically sealed volume, the pressure of said gas being a function of the operating range of the interferometer probe, means for directing said reference beam through said probe structure to terminate at said light beam combining means, means for directing said object beam through said probe structure and said test volume to terminate at said light beam combining means, and detector means for detecting and measuring the intensity of the combined output beam from said light beam combining means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
An inteferometer probe comprising means for generating a beam of coherent light, beam splitting means for dividing said beam of coherent light into an object beam and a reference beam, a probe structure in the form of a transluscent axisymmetric member having a prismatic end that in part defines a test volume for the accommodation of a test substance, and a beam input/output end, a beam splitter plate, light beam combining means for recombining said object and reference beams to form an output beam, said beam splitting means and said light beam combining means being integral portions of said beam splitter plate, said beam splitter plate being in spaced proximity to the beam input/output end of said transluscent axisymmetric member, a sleeve member encompassing said beam splitter plate and the outer end surface of said probe structure effecting a hermetically sealed volume therebetween, pressurized gas in said hermetically sealed volume, the pressure of said gas being a function of the operating range of the interferometer probe, means for directing said reference beam through said probe structure to terminate at said light beam combining means, means for directing said object beam through said probe structure and said test volume to terminate at said light beam combining means, and detector means for detecting and measuring the intensity of the combined output beam from said light beam combining means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An interferometer probe as defined in claim 1 wherein said probe structure is configured to provide equal optical path lengths for said object and reference beams.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An interferometer probe as defined in claim 1 wherein said probe structure is configured to provide a longer optical path length for said object beam than for said reference beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An interferometer probe as defined in claim 1 wherein said beam splitter plate has a thickness and angle of incidence relative to said beam of coherent light that provides a high intensity reference beam and a low intensity object beam.