System and Method for Structured Illumination and Collection for Improved Optical Confocality of Raman Fiber Array Spectral Translator Imaging and Interactive Raman Probing
AssigneeChemImage Corporation
InventorsMatthew P. Nelson, Patrick J. Treado
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Abstract
The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for using telescope optics and a fiber array spectral translator-based (“FAST”) spectroscopic system for improved imaging, spectral analysis, and interactive probing of a sample. In an embodiment, the confocality of a fiber array spectral translator-based spectroscopic system is improved through the use of structured illumination and/or structured collection of photons. User input may be received and acted upon to allow a user to interactively in real time and/or near real time view and analyze specific regions of the sample.
Claims68
A system for detecting photons from a sample, comprising:
- a photon source for illuminating a first portion of a sample with first photons to thereby produce second photons;
- a telescope optic through which said second photons pass;
- a fiber array spectral translator comprising plural fibers for receiving said second photons and directing said second photons to said photon detector, wherein only a first predetermined group of said plural fibers receive and direct said second photons to said photon detector, and wherein each fiber in said first predetermined group is associated with a predetermined different second portion of said sample wherein each of said predetermined different second portions is smaller than said first portion;
- and said photon detector for detecting said second photons.
A method for detecting photons from a sample, comprising:
- illuminating a first portion of a sample with first photons to thereby produce second photons;
- passing said second photons through a lens wherein said lens comprises a telescope optic;
- receiving said second photons using a fiber array spectral translator comprising plural fibers and directing said second photons to said photon detector using said fiber array spectral translator, wherein only a first predetermined group of said plural fibers receive and direct said second photons to said photon detector, and wherein each fiber in said first predetermined group is associated with a predetermined different second portion of said sample wherein each of said predetermined different second portions is smaller than said first portion;
- and detecting said second photons using said photon detector.
The method of 53 wherein said first visual representation is an image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.