Spectrometric system and cassette
AssigneeSpectraMetrics, Incorporated
InventorDanilo V. Missio
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spectrometric system for multielement analysis and a cassette for use in such system, the cassette having a plurality of aligned and nonaligned channels therethrough, each of which has an inlet and an outlet, the inlets in the focal plane of the spectrometer, and each outlet adjacent a photomultiplier tube, and optical transmission means within the cassette to transmit spectral emission radiation received by the nonaligned inlets through channels to the photomultiplier tubes adjacent the nonaligned outlets for such channels.
Claims17
A cassette for use in a spectrometer system, the cassette adapted to receive spectral energy on its face surface and to transmit such energy therethrough and to a detector adjacent the back surface, which cassette comprises:
- a. a face mask plate having at least one inlet opening therein to receive spectral energy, the face plate adapted to be placed in the focal plane of a spectrometer;
- b. a back plate spaced apart from and generally parallel to the face plate and having at least one outlet opening therein to transmit spectral energy received by the inlet opening to a detector, the outlet opening being nonaligned with the inlet opening;
- and
- c. optical transmitting means within the cassette which comprises,
- i. a first reflecting mirror adjacent the inlet opening and positioned to receive spectral energy and to direct angularly the received energy, and
- ii. a second reflecting mirror adjacent the outlet opening and positioned to receive the spectral energy from the first mirror and to transmit the received energy to the outlet opening, whereby spectral energy from a spectrometer focal plane is directed through nonaxially aligned inlet and outlet openings of a cassette to a detector.
A cassette for use in a spectrometer system for the detection of multielements by analysis of emission spectral energy in a focal plane of the spectrometer, which cassette comprises:
- a. a plurality of nonaxially and axially aligned channels, each channel adapted to receive spectral emission energy and to pass the energy therethrough, each channel having an inlet and outlet opening, the inlet opening in one plane and adapted to be placed in the focal plane of an emission spectrometer;
- and
- b. optical transmission means to direct the spectral energy from the inlet to the outlet openings of the nonaligned channels.
A cassette for use in a spectrometer system which comprises:
- a. a base plate having a side tapered to adapt closely into a first compatible groove means in the spectrometer in which the cassette is to be used, and defining a multiplicity of aligned and nonaligned channels passing therethrough, each channel having an inlet and an outlet opening for passing radiation therethrough;
- b. a mask plate defining a multiplicity of openings equal to or less than the number of aligned and nonaligned channels of said base plate and disposed directly behind said base plate, each of which openings is to an inlet of said channels;
- c. a frame member disposed substantially about said base plate and said mask plate, and having adjacently inclined planar surfaces contacting said base plate;
- d. a pair of threaded displaceable block elements disposed on adjacent sides of said frame member and cooperating with inclined planar surfaces of said frame member and with the outer surface of said base plate to adjust the position of said base plate in the latitudinal and longitudinal directions;
- e. a pair of set-screw means adapted to transfix said frame member and to cooperate with a said threaded displaceable block and to displace said blocks as said set screws are threaded in and out;
- f. a spring means affixed to said frame member opposite the apex of said threaded displaceable block elements, and arranged to store or release energy as said set screws are threaded in and out;
- g. a bayonet-shaped element adjacent said tapered side of said base plate which is adapted to fit into the compatible groove in said spectrometer;
- h. a first mirror reflector having a pin and screw mechanism means to adjust said first reflector in a direction substantially parallel to said channels, adjustably mounted within said nonaligned channels and arranged to receive radiation from the inlet of said channel;
- and
- i. a second mirror reflector mounted within said nonaligned channel and arranged to receive radiation from said first reflector and to direct said radiation to the outlet of said channel.
A method of analyzing a sample containing a multiplicity of elements to be detected in an emission spectrometer in which a pattern of spectral emission energy of such elements is displayed in a focal plane of the spectrometer, which method comprises:
- a. fixedly positioning a cassette having a plurality of both aligned and nonaligned channels therein with inlet and outlet openings for each channel in the focal plane of the spectrometer so that the inlet opening receives spectral energy thereon;
- b. passing the spectral energy from the inlet openings to the outlet openings of each channel and in the nonaligned channels by transmitting the energy by reflection to the outlet openings;
- and
- c. detecting the elements in the sample by positioning photomultiplier tubes adjacent each outlet opening of the elements to be detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.