US 11,698,301 B2 · Multiplexed sensor network using swept source Raman spectroscopy

Abstract

Swept-source Raman spectroscopy uses a tunable laser and a fixed-wavelength detector instead of a spectrometer or interferometer to perform Raman spectroscopy with the throughput advantage of Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy without bulky optics or moving mirrors. Although the tunable laser can be larger and more costly than a fixed wavelength diode laser used in other Raman systems, it is possible to split and switch the laser light to multiple ports simultaneously and/or sequentially. Each site can be monitored by its own fixed-wavelength detector. This architecture can be scaled by cascading fiber switches and/or couplers between the tunable laser and measurement sites. By multiplexing measurements at different sites, it is possible to monitor many sites at once. Moreover, each site can be meters to kilometers from the tunable laser. This makes it possible to perform swept-source Raman spectroscopy at many points across a continuous flow manufacturing environment with a single laser.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for measuring Raman signals at more than one measurement site along a continuous flow manufacturing line, the system comprising:

a tunable laser to emit a tunable excitation beam;
a fiber optic splitter, in optical communication with the tunable laser, to couple a different portion of the tunable excitation beam to each of a plurality of outputs;
a plurality of optical fibers, in optical communication with the plurality of outputs, to transmit the tunable excitation beam simultaneously to each of a plurality of measurement sites;
at each of the plurality of measurement sites,
an optical probe, in optical communication with a corresponding optical fiber in the plurality of optical fibers, to illuminate the corresponding measurement site with a corresponding portion of the tunable excitation beam and to collect the Raman signal emitted from the corresponding measurement site in response to the corresponding portion of the tunable excitation beam;
and
a spectrally selective detector, in optical communication with the optical probe, to sense the Raman signal from the corresponding measurement site;
and
a processor, operably coupled to the optical probes, to trigger different actions along the continuous flow manufacturing line in response to peaks in the Raman signals.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multiplexed sensor network using swept source Raman spectroscopy

Life of this patent

Multiplexed sensor network using swept source Raman spectroscopy

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20