초록 ▼

In an optical heterodyne system a first coherent light signal is received upon an ordered array of light responsive elements, and a local oscillator source provides a second coherent light signal, the frequencies of the first and second coherent light signals being different. Mixing apparatus is pro

In an optical heterodyne system a first coherent light signal is received upon an ordered array of light responsive elements, and a local oscillator source provides a second coherent light signal, the frequencies of the first and second coherent light signals being different. Mixing apparatus is provided to focus the second coherent light signal upon each of the light responsive elements of the array in a preselected sequence, and scanning apparatus scans the light responsive elements in the same preselected sequence to receive light responsive signals generated by the light responsive elements, each of the light responsive signals being related to the intensity of light impinging upon a different one of the light responsive elements and having a frequency equal to the difference between the frequencies of the first and second coherent light signals.

대표청구항 ▼

Optical heterodyne apparatus for viewing the image of an arbitrary object which is carried on the wavefront of a first coherent light signal, said apparatus comprising: an array of light responsive elements, each of said light responsive elements having a light sensitive surface and comprising means

Optical heterodyne apparatus for viewing the image of an arbitrary object which is carried on the wavefront of a first coherent light signal, said apparatus comprising: an array of light responsive elements, each of said light responsive elements having a light sensitive surface and comprising means for generating an electric signal that represents the light impinging upon its light sensitive surface; lens means receiving said first coherent light signal for focusing said image on said array of light responsive elements; means for providing second coherent light signal, the frequencies of said first and second coherent light signals being different; focusing means for sequentially focusing said second coherent light signal within an Airy disc upon the light sensitive surface of each of said light responsive elements, each light responsive element generating a heterodyne signal when said second coherent light signal is focused upon its light sensitive surface; detection means for receiving said heterodyne signals, and for generating a set of signals in response to said heterodyne signals which is capable of providing a viewable representation of said image, and signal exclusion means positioned between said light responsive elements and said detection means for preventing said detection means for receiving signals representing light of said first coherent light signal which are generated by any of said light responsive elenents except the light responsive element upon which said second coherent light signal is focused.