OPTICAL MEASUREMENTS OF PROPERTIES IN SUBSTANCES USING PROPAGATION MODES OF LIGHT

摘要

This application describes designs, implementations, and techniques for controlling propagation mode or modes of light in a common optical path, which may include one or more waveguides, to sense a sample.

主权项

1. A method for optically measuring a sample, comprising:
directing one beam of guided light in a first propagation mode to a sample; directing a first portion of the guided light in the first propagation mode at a location near the sample away from the sample before the first portion reaches the sample while allowing a second portion in the first propagation mode to reach the sample; controlling a reflection of the second portion from the sample to be in a second propagation mode different from the first propagation mode to produce a reflected second portion; and directing both the reflected first portion in the first propagation mode and the reflected second portion in the second propagation mode through a common waveguide into a detection module to extract information from the reflected second portion on the sample.