Abstract

Apparatus and methods for passing a focused laser beam through a thin ferrofluid cell creates a spatial distribution in the refractive index of the ferrofluid and generates a diffraction ring patterns. Using a pair of perpendicularly placed ferrofluid cells, two sets of diffraction ring patterns can be produced on two viewing screens. Deformations in the diffraction patterns due to an acceleration can be viewed on the screens, providing a ferrofluid accelerometer. By applying an electric or a magnetic field on a thin ferrofluid sample, the light passing through the sample can be modulated by the field, providing a light modulator. The apparatus and method has applications for detecting acceleration information within a gyroscope and for use in toys.

Document Type

Patent

Patent Number

US 6,400,457

Application Serial Number

09/861,432

Issue Date

6-4-2002

Current Assignee

UCFRF

Assignee at Issuance

UCFRF

College

College of Sciences

Department

Physics

Allowance Date

2-26-2002

Filing Date

5-18-2001

Assignee at Filing

UCFRF

Filing Type

Nonprovisional Application Record

Donated

no

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