# US 11,442,004 B2 · Light pipe for spectroscopy > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,442,004 B2 - Document ID: US11442004B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/946,309 - Filed: 2020-06-16 - Published: 2020-10-01 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-05 - Assignees: Viavi Solutions Inc. - Applicants: VIAVI Solutions Inc. - Inventors: Curtis R. Hruska; Peng Zou; Benjamin F. Catching; Marc K. Von Gunten; Valton Smith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11442004B2 ## CPC - G01N 21/255: {Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems} - G01J 3/02: Details - G01J 3/0202: {Mechanical elements; Supports for optical elements} - G01J 3/0205: {Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. optical manifolds, diffusers, windows} - G01J 3/0272: {Handheld} - G01J 3/0291: {Housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements} - G01J 3/06: Scanning arrangements {arrangements for order-selection} - G01J 3/42: Absorption spectrometry; Double beam spectrometry; Flicker spectrometry; Reflection spectrometry (beam switching arrangements G01J3/08) - G01N 21/01: Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation - G01N 21/03: Cuvette constructions - G01N 21/031: {Multipass arrangements} - G01N 21/25: Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands - G01N 21/63: optically excited - G02B 6/10: of the optical waveguide type (G02B6/02, G02B6/24 take precedence; devices or arrangements for the control of light by electric, magnetic, electro-magnetic or acoustic means G02F1/00; transferring the modulation of modulated light G02F2/00; optical logic elements G02F3/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F7/00) - G02B 27/0994: {Fibers, light pipes (optical fibers per se G02B6/02)} - G01J 2003/425: {Reflectance} - G01N 21/05: Flow-through cuvettes (G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10) - G01N 21/8507: {Probe photometers, i.e. with optical measuring part dipped into fluid sample} - G01N 2021/0118: {Apparatus with remote processing} - G01N 2021/8514: {with immersed mirror} - G01N 2201/024: Modular construction - G01N 2201/064: Stray light conditioning - G01N 2201/08: Optical fibres; light guides - G01N 2201/0813: Arrangement of collimator tubes, glass or empty - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A spectroscopic assembly may include a spectrometer. The spectrometer may include an illumination source to generate a light to illuminate a sample. The spectrometer may include a sensor to obtain a spectroscopic measurement based on light, reflected by the sample, from the light illuminating the sample. The spectroscopic assembly may include a light pipe to transfer the light reflected from the sample. The light pipe may include a first opening to receive the spectrometer. The light pipe may include a second opening to receive the sample, such that the sample is enclosed by the light pipe and a base surface when the sample is received at the second opening. The light pipe may be associated with aligning the illumination source and the sensor with the sample. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a light pipe that includes a variable length portion; a sample tube configured to contain a sample and to be inserted into an opening of the light pipe; and a cap configured to be inserted into the sample tube and to cause reflection of light toward a spectrometer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the light pipe further comprises a ring spacer or a translucent disc spacer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the sample tube is configured to be inserted into the opening of the light pipe through a different cap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a different cap that provides a substantial seal around the sample tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the substantial seal is a seal that prevents a threshold percentage of light from passing through the opening of the light pipe. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the sample is a liquid sample or a solvent sample. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cap is a core optical reflector cap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cap is further configured to cause a particular amount of the sample to be included in the sample tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cap is further configured to maintain a threshold thickness of the sample. ### Claim 10 A system comprising: a sample tube configured to contain a sample; a cap configured to be inserted into the sample tube and to cause reflection of light toward a spectrometer, wherein the cap is a removable cap; and a different cap that provides a substantial seal around the sample tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, further comprising: a light pipe, wherein the sample tube is inserted into an opening of the light pipe. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the sample tube is configured to be inserted into the opening of the light pipe through the different cap. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the substantial seal is a seal that prevents a threshold percentage of light from passing through the opening of the light pipe. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the sample is a liquid sample or a solvent sample. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the cap is a core optical reflector cap. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the cap is further configured to cause a particular amount of the sample to be included in the sample tube. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the cap is further configured to maintain a threshold thickness of the sample. ### Claim 18 A system comprising: a sample tube configured to contain a sample; and a cap configured to be inserted into the sample tube and to cause reflection of light toward a spectrometer, wherein the cap is a removable cap. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, further comprising: a light pipe, wherein the sample tube is inserted into an opening of the light pipe, and wherein the sample tube is configured to be inserted into the opening of the light pipe through a different cap. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, further comprising: a different cap that provides a substantial seal around the sample tube.