Ultra-miniature spatial heterodyne spectrometer
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorSeyedeh Sona Hosseini
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Abstract
Ultra-miniature spatial heterodyne spectrometers (SHSs) are presented. Ultra-miniature SHSs in accordance with the invention, comprise a beam-splitter and gratings configured to generate a fringe pattern for spectroscopic detection. Many embodiments include input optics and a sensor and are configured in a way to omit collimating optics and imaging optics from the SHS. Compared to conventional SHSs known in the art, the present invention enables fewer parts, significantly smaller and lighter SHSs, are more efficient and robust, and require less maintenance. Many embodiments are field-deployable, in that such embodiments can be deployed for hand held use in real-world or remote activities outside of research or diagnostic facilities.
Claims20
A field-deployable device for performing spectroscopy comprising:
- input optics;
- a spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHS) comprising a beam-splitter, a first grating, and a second grating, wherein the beam-splitter, the first grating, and the second grating form a 90° angle with the beam-splitter at the vertex of the angle, and wherein the beam-splitter is configured to split the incoming light to the first grating and the second grating;
- and
- a spectroscopy sensor configured to acquire a fringe pattern generated by the SHS;
- and
- a housing assembly forming an aperture and holding the input optics, the SHS, and the spectroscopy sensor;
- wherein the aperture, the input optics, the SHS, and the spectroscopy sensor are in optical alignment, such that incoming light passes through the aperture into the input optics;
- wherein the input optics are configured to direct light to the SHS;
- and
- wherein a position of the aperture, a position of the first grating, and a position of the second grating are configured such that a fringe localization plane (FLP) is located proximally toward the aperture from the first grating and the second grating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.