Spectral analysis system with moving objective lens
AssigneeSpectraCode, Inc.
InventorHuiqi Yin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
For identifying black plastics effectively and rapidly, it is desirable to maintain full laser power while reducing the power density. This is achieved by the incorporation of a moving lens that disperses the 0.5mm laser spot over a larger area typically of about 5mm in diameter. The entire signal from the larger (5mm) diameter is collected at the same spot in the fiber bundle leading to a Raman or other spectral analyzer. There are no other modifications required for the rest of the system as the moving lens does not affect the collection efficiency of the characteristic signal from the sample.
Claims25
Apparatus for identifying the composition of a sample, the apparatus comprising:
- a light source of known wavelength and deviation,
- radiation optics coupled to the light source so that light emitted from the light source is directed toward a region on a sample surface causing the sample to produce a characteristic spectrum,
- sampling optics situated to receive the characteristic spectrum produced from the sample and direct it toward a spectral analyzer, and
- an objective lens common to both the radiation optics and the sampling optics, a holder for the objective lens, and apparatus for moving the objective lens holder in a plane generally parallel to the sample surface so that the light emitted from the light source moves relative to the sample sufficiently to lower the average power density of the light arriving at the region on the sample surface below any light induced detrimental change threshold of the sample.
Apparatus for identifying the composition of a sample, the apparatus comprising:
- a probe including a housing having an optical window located on an axis of the probe, and a light source of known wavelength and deviation situated within the probe,
- radiation optics coupled to the light source so that light emitted from the light source is directed through the optical window toward a region on a sample surface causing the sample to produce a characteristic spectrum,
- sampling optics situated to receive the characteristic spectrum produced from the sample through the optical window and direct it toward a spectral analyzer, and
- an objective lens common to both the radiation optics and the sampling optics, a holder for the objective lens situated adjacent to the optical window, and apparatus for moving the objective lens holder in a plane generally perpendicular the probe axis so that the light emitted from the light source moves relative to the sample sufficiently to lower the average power density of the light arriving at the region on the sample surface below any light induced detrimental change threshold of the sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.