Focused laser light turbidity sensor

A turbidity sensor for measuring a full range of particulate content in a turbid environment, said sensor comprising:

• a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) for emitting a strong focused beam of light through said particulate content;
• and
• a plurality of light-sensitive detectors for detecting light scattered from particles of said particulate content that come into contact with said strong focused beam of light emitted from said VCSEL, wherein said plurality of light- sensitive detectors is located proximate to said VCSEL to thereby permit the accurate measurement of the turbidity of said turbid environment.

A method for measuring a full range of particulate content in a turbid environment, said method comprising the steps of:

• emitting laser light from a laser light source through said particulate content;
• and
• detecting light scattered from particles of said particulate content that come into contact with laser light emitted from said laser light source utilizing at least one light-sensitive detector located proximate to said laser light source, thereby permitting the accurate measurement of the turbidity of said turbid environment.

A method for measuring a full range of particulate content in a turbid environment, said method comprising the steps of:

• emitting a strong focused beam of light through said particulate content from a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL);
• and
• detecting light scattered from particles of said particulate content that come into contact with said strong focused beam of light emitted from said VCSEL utilizing a plurality of light-sensitive detectors located proximate to said VCSEL to thereby permit the accurate measurement of the turbidity of said turbid environment.

The method of claim 43 wherein the step of emitting a strong focused beam of light through said particulate content from a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) further comprises the step of:

• emitting a strong focused beam of light through said particulate content from a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), wherein said strong focused beam of light comprises collimated laser light.