Blackened optical component without fluorescence
AssigneeEcolab USA Inc.
InventorElina A. Vitol
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical component may be optically blackened so that the surface of the component is not reflective when light impinges upon the surface. In some examples, a method of blackening involves exposing a surface of the optical component that defines an optical pathway to an optical blackening composition for a period of time effective to optically blacken the surface. The optical blackening composition may be configured so that the resulting optically blackened optical pathway is non-fluorescing when exposed to ultraviolet light. In some examples, the optical blackening composition comprises selenous acid and is devoid of organic molecules.
Claims23
A method of blackening an optical component comprising:
- exposing a surface of an optical component that defines an optical pathway to an optical blackening composition that comprises selenous acid for a period of time effective to optically blacken the surface and yield an optically blackened optical pathway that is non-fluorescing;
- removing residual optical blackening composition from the surface of the optical component;
- and
- drying the optical component.
An optical component comprising:
- a surface formed of metal that defines an optical pathway configured to receive light from a fluid sample under analysis through an optical lens,
- wherein the surface is optically blackened with a metal selenide and does not emit fluorescent emissions in response to being exposed to ultraviolet light.
An optical sensor comprising:
- a housing having an optical pathway that directs light through an optical window optically connected to the optical pathway into a fluid sample under analysis and receives light from the fluid sample through the optical window;
- an optical emitter that is positioned to emit light into the optical pathway;
- and
- an optical detector that is positioned to receive light from the optical pathway,
- wherein the housing is formed of metal and a surface of the housing defining the optical pathway is optically blackened with a metal selenide and emits weaker fluorescent radiation than fluorescent radiation emitted by the fluid sample under analysis in response to exposure to ultraviolet light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.