The invention relates generally to tunable filters, and more particularly, to the improved use and fabrication of interferometers.
Tunable optical filters have a wide range of applications. They can also be utilized in Raman spectrometers, namely for non-dispersive Raman spectroscopy. Spectroscopy generally refers to the process of measuring energy or intensity as a function of wavelength in a beam of light or radiation. More specifically, spectroscopy uses the absorption, emission, or scattering of electromagnetic radiation by atoms, molecules, or ions to qualitatively and quantitatively study physical properties and processes of matter. Raman spectroscopy relies on the inelastic scattering of intense, monochromatic light, typically from a laser source operating in the visible, near infrared, or ultraviolet range. Photons of the monochromatic source excite molecules in a sample upon inelastic interaction, resulting in the energy of the laser photons being shifted up or down. The shift in energy yields information about the molecular vibration modes in the system/sample.
For high performance spectroscopy, the filters need to cover a wide spectral range, and need to filter with a high resolution, so that sharp peaks in the spectrum can be resolved.
However, Raman scattering is a comparatively weak effect in comparison to Rayleigh (elastic) scattering in which energy is not exchanged. Depending on the particular molecular composition of a sample, only about one scattered photon in 106 to about 108 tends to be Raman shifted. Because Raman scattering is such a comparatively weak phenomenon, an instrument used to analyze the Raman signal should be able to substantially reject Rayleigh scattering, have a high signal to noise ratio, and have high immunity to ambient light. Otherwise, a Raman shift may not be measurable.
A challenge in implementing Raman spectroscopy is separating the weak inelastically scattered light from the intense Rayleigh-scattered laser light. In the past, the resolution and spectral range requirements were met with high performance gratings, at times combined with fabry-perot etalons coupled to them. Conventional Raman spectrometers typically use reflective or absorptive filters, as well as holographic diffraction gratings and multiple dispersion stages, to achieve a high degree of laser rejection. A photon-counting photomultiplier tube (PMT) or a charge coupled device (CCD) camera may be used to detect the Raman scattered light.
Interferometry is used in spectroscopy for controlling and measuring the wavelength of light. Interferometry is the science and technique of superposing (interfering) two or more waves, which creates an output wave different from the input waves; this in turn can be used to explore the differences between the input waves. A Fabry-Perot interferometer or etalon is typically made of a transparent plate with two reflecting surfaces, or two parallel highly reflecting mirrors. Its transmission spectrum as a function of wavelength exhibits peaks of large transmission corresponding to resonances of the etalon. Fabry-Perot interferometers are widely used in spectroscopy, as recent advances in fabrication technique allow the creation of very precise tunable Fabry-Perot interferometers.
Improvements have been made in spectrometry including the use of Fabry-Perot interferometers fabricated using nano-technology. This makes for a compact and portable spectrometer. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of performance and design.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the above discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of conventional interferometers may be overcome or alleviated by an interferometer for passing selected wavelengths of a scattered optical beam and by a method for fabricating such an interferometer.
According to exemplary embodiments, an interferometer is provided that includes a resonant cavity having a movable mirror and at least one fiber optic component acting as a fixed mirror. A surface of the fiber optic component is coated with a reflective film. An actuator is coupled to the movable mirror, such that when a scattered optical beam is coupled to the cavity, interference occurs between the surface of the fiber optic component coated with reflective film and a surface of the movable mirror facing the surface of the fiber optic component coated with the reflective film. The reflective film on the surface of the fiber optic component causes closely spaced spectral lines within the scattered optical beam to be suitably resolved.
In one aspect, another fiber optic component is disposed on a side of the movable mirror opposite the fiber optic component acting as a fixed mirror. A surface of the other fiber optic component facing the movable mirror is coated with anti-reflective film to reduce coupling losses.
In another aspect, a surface of the movable mirror facing the fiber optic component acting as a fixed mirror is coated with a reflective film for resolving closely spaced spectral lines within the scattered optical beam, and a surface of the moveable mirror facing the other fiber optic component is coated with an anti-reflective film for reducing coupling losses.
In yet another aspect, the scattered optical beam shines directly onto the movable mirror.
In still another aspect, an optical component is disposed on a side of the movable mirror opposite the fiber optic component acting as a fixed mirror.
In another aspect, a movable mirror holder holds the movable mirror.
In still other aspects, multiple resonant cavities may be formed using various configurations of movable mirrors and fiber optic components acting as fixed mirrors.
In another embodiment, a method is provided for fabricating an interferometer. The method includes coating a surface of a fiber optic component with a reflective film, creating a resonant cavity including a movable mirror and the fiber optic component, and coupling an actuator to the movable mirror, such that when the scattered optical beam is coupled to the cavity, the fiber optic component acts as a fixed mirror. Interference occurs between the surface of the fiber optic component coated with reflective film and a surface of the movable mirror facing the surface of the fiber optic component coated with reflective film. The reflective film on the surface of the fiber optic component causes closely spaced spectral lines within the scattered optical beam to be suitably resolved.
These and other advantages and features will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention that is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings.
As noted above, Fabry Perot filtering is used in spectrometry. An exemplary spectrometer device in which Fabry Perot filtering may be implemented is shown in
Active control of the optical power density of the device may be achieved through an actuator 102 (e.g., a shutter, an attenuator, a micro lens with tunable focal length) configured to selectively control the amount of optical power directed upon a particular sample 106. This may be desired in instances, for example, where the sample material is temperature sensitive for a variety of reasons. For active control, a temperature-sensing device may also be integrated into the spectrometer system.
Collection optics 110 (having a high numerical aperture) receive the scattered beam from the sample 106, and may be embodied by three-dimensional photonic crystals formed on the chip substrate.
The insert portion of
As is well known, a tunable Fabry-Perot filter includes a resonant cavity and an actuator. The resonant cavity is defined by a pair of micro mirrors, which both can be flat, curved, or one flat and one curved. One of the two mirrors is static while the second mirror is movable and is attached to the actuator. When broadband light is coupled to the cavity, multiple internal reflections and refractions occur and interference between transmitted beams takes place. At specific distances between the two mirrors interference is constructive and an interference pattern is produced on the other end of the Fabry-Perot. The central peak (main mode of the cavity at a specific distance between the mirrors) is a high intensity peak and the transmitted light is monochromatic.
The wavelength of the transmitted light is a function of the distance between the cavity mirrors, thus the filter is a narrow band filter. As the distance between the two mirrors is scanned continuously, multiple interferences take place leading to a continuous scan of the optical spectrum within a specific range of wavelengths. As described in the afore-mentioned copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/400,948, by separating the actuation of the filter from the optics (i.e., the mirrors are not used as electrodes or deflectable membranes). This has the advantage of providing higher spectrograph performance, since the filter may be tuned over longer distances with lower power consumption and without introducing any deformation to the mirrors, which would adversely affect the optical quality of the filter, thus improving the bandwidth.
In addition, the crystallographic planes of a chip substrate (e.g., silicon) may be used to provide high smoothness, high flatness and high parallelism between the cavity mirrors, and therefore high finesse and ultimately high spectral resolution. The actuator itself may be thermal, electrostatic or magnetic in nature. In an exemplary embodiment, MEMS comb drives are used for actuation along with plane mirror cavities (i.e., both mirrors are planar).
The Fabry-Perot interferometer surfaces 340 and 350 need to have high reflectivity in order to achieve a usable finesse. Finesse is the measure of the interferometer's ability to resolve closely spaced spectral lines. Finesse may be defined as:
F=π×R
(1/2)/(1−R)
where R is the reflectivity of the surfaces 340 and 350. This cannot be easily accomplished with a small gap, such as the gap 360, which is about 10 micrometers, and the high aspect ratio (>30) of the two surfaces 340 and 350. These factors limit the accessibility to the surfaces. The mirror's gap 360 is fixed for a specific device. Therefore, if different gaps are needed many different design versions need to be fabricated. Moreover, the fixed mirror 310 introduces transmission losses that are related to the material it is made of and proportional to its thickness. Both of these factors may reduce the overall sensitivity of the device. Also, there are three gaps 360, 380, and 390 in the light path and six surfaces associated with them, which may further reduce overall performance of the device.
According to exemplary embodiments, the performance of the Fabry-Perot nano interferometer may be improved by modifying its mechanical structure, namely the fixed mirror and the movable mirror, and adding or removing certain components. Results of this modification include superior performance, easier fabrication, simpler design, and higher versatility. Although the description below is directed towards Fabry-Perot interferometers, it should be appreciated that the concepts described herein may be applicable to other types of tunable filters/interferometers.
The surface 440 of the other fiber optic component 430 may be coated with an anti-reflective film to reduce coupling losses and avoid the formation of a second Fabry-Perot interferometer between the surface 440 of the fiber optic component 430 and the surface 470 of the movable mirror 420.
In the device shown in
Another major advantage is in the positioning of the fiber optic component 410, which acts as a fixed mirror and here can be placed at any desired distance from the surface 460 of the movable mirror 420. This provides high flexibility in device performance.
According to another embodiment, the resolution of a tunable optical filter may be improved by using two or more mirrors combined in series. In this way, the optical resolution of the filter can be improved without sacrificing free spectral range.
In the device shown in
The movable mirror 840 may be disposed between the fiber optic component 830 acting as a fixed mirror and another fiber optic component 850. A surface 895 of the movable mirror 895 may be coated with an anti-reflective film as appropriate.
In the device shown in
Also, the fiber optic components 810 and 830, which act as fixed mirrors, can be placed at any desired distances from the surfaces 870 and 890 of the movable mirrors 820 and 840, respectively. This provides high flexibility in device performance.
Although not illustrated, the surface of the fiber optic component 830 facing the movable mirror 820 may be coated with anti-reflective film as appropriate. Similarly, the surface of the fiber optic component 850 facing the movable mirror 840 may be coated with anti-reflective film.
In the device shown in
In the device shown in
Also, the fiber optic components 910 and 940, which act as fixed mirrors, can be placed at any desired distances from the surfaces 960 and 970 of the movable mirrors 920 and 930, respectively. This provides high flexibility in device performance.
The method shown in
While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/400,948, filed Apr. 10, 2006, and incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11400948 | Apr 2006 | US |
Child | 12044020 | US |