Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A laser discrimination filter based on temporal coherence is presented. This filter comprises a multilayer device with 'thick' layers such that the optical thickness of each layer is greater than the coherence length of the ambient light, but still much smaller than the coherence length of the laser light of interest. Thus, the spectral response of the device of this invention becomes dependent on the degree of temporal coherence of the incident light. If white light strikes the filter, multi-beam interference will not occur because of its short coherence length. The device acts like a stack of partially reflecting mirrors. If the laser light strikes the filter, multi-beam interference will still take place because of the long coherence length of the laser light. This causes the device to have different transmitting characteristics for laser light and white light. Therefore, this device functions as a laser discrimination device.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim