Modular radiation transmission apparatus for spectrometers
AssigneeLaser Precision Corporation
InventorsWalter M. Doyle, Norman S. Hughes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular spectrometer system is disclosed which includes various types of standard building blocks which permit: (a) a multiple accessory system in which experiments can be readily switched from one accessory to another; and (b) easy and cost effective revision of the multiple accessory system as desired. Optical switch components are provided which facilitate steering and switching of the radiation paths, and which are capable of being assembled from standard parts. Modular connecting tubes and interface elements are provided to interconnect components in the system. Component substitutions and position adjustments may be readily accomplished without loss of alignment in the system.
Claims21
An interferometer spectrometer system which includes a radiation source, one or more detector components, an interferometer outputting a radiation beam, and a modular optical switching component comprising:
- a housing having a first aperture through which a radiation beam may pass, and second and third apertures through which that radiation beam may also pass;
- the arrangement being such that the radiation beam axis of symmetry through the first aperture makes the same angle with the radiation beam axis of symmetry through the second aperture as it does with the radiation beam axis of symmetry through the third aperture;
- means for mechanically connecting the housing to at least two other components in the system, in such a way that the system may be readily rearranged by detaching the housing from one system component and attaching it to another system component;
- a mirror-supporting member rotatably mounted in the housing, the axis of rotation of such member being colinear with the axis of symmetry of the beam passing through the first aperture;
- a reflecting surface which is carried by the mirror supporting member and which is designed to reflect a beam entering the first aperture through either the second or third aperture, or to reflect a beam entering either the second or third aperture through the first aperture;
- means for turning the mirror-supporting member on its axis to select either a position in which the radiation travels through the second aperture, or a position in which the radiation travels through the third aperture;
- and
- means for releasably retaining the mirror-supporting member in its selected position.
An interferometer spectrometer system which includes a radiation source, one or more detector components, an interferometer outputting a radiation beam, one or more optical reflectors, and modular components comprising:
- one or more linearly-extending enclosure components having an internal passage inside which the radiation beam travels in a linear direction;
- one or more non-linearly-extending enclosure components having an internal passage inside which the direction of the radiation beam is changed by an optical reflector;
- and
- one or more pairs of interface elements which join adjacent enclosure components, and which are readily detachable from such components, in order to permit rearrangement of the components in the spectrometer system;
- each element of each pair of interface elements having a first end flange engaging and secured to one of the enclosure components, and a second end flange engaging and secured to the other one of the paired interface elements.
An interferometer spectrometer system which includes a radiation source, a detector, an interferometer outputting a radiation beam, one or more optical reflectors, and modular components comprising:
- one or more linearly-extending enclosure units having an internal passage inside which the radiation beam travels in a linear direction;
- one or more non-linearly-extending enclosure units having an internal passage inside which the direction of the radiation beam is changed by an optical reflector;
- each enclosure unit having at one end thereof a cylindrical aperture and a planar surface surrounding such aperture, each aperture having an annular recess formed therein;
- the axis of symmetry of each radiation beam in the system being perpendicular to the planar surface through which the beam passes;
- means for interconnecting two of the enclosure units in such a way that they may be readily disconnected and reconnected, in order to permit rearrangement of the enclosure units in the system;
- and
- a centering ring extending into and engaging the walls of the annular recesses in the two interconnected enclosure units.
In an interferometer spectrometer system which includes a radiation source, a detector, and an interferometer outputting a radiation beam, a modular sub-system comprising:
- a first sample-enclosing housing adapted to apply post interferometer radiation to analysis of a sample in a desired mode;
- a second sample-enclosing housing adapted to apply post interferometer radiation to analysis of a sample in a desired mode;
- means for mechanically interconnecting the first and second sample-enclosing housings, in such a way that the system may be readily rearranged by disconnecting either housing from the system;
- a movable parabolic reflector which has an input radiation beam received directly or indirectly from the interferometer, and an output beam which is adapted to travel toward either the first or second sample-enclosing housing depending on the position of the movable reflector;
- and
- rotating means for moving the reflector around an axis which is co-linear with the axis of symmetry of the input beam received by the reflector.
In an interferometer spectrometer system which includes a radiation source, a detector, and an interferometer outputting a radiation beam, a modular sub-system comprising:
- a first modular unit having a cylindrical aperture surrounded by a planar surface, the aperture being provided for the entry or exit of a radiation beam whose axis of symmetry is centered in the cylindrical aperture and is perpendicular to the planar surface;
- a second modular unit having a cylindrical aperture surrounded by a planar surface, the aperture being provided for the entry or exit of a radiation beam whose axis of symmetry is centered in the cylindrical aperture and is perpendicular to the planar surface;
- the first and second modular units having their planar surfaces in engagement with one another, and being mechanically interconnected in such a way that the system may be readily rearranged by detaching them from one another;
- each of the first and second modular units having an annular recess formed in its cylindrical aperture at its planar surface;
- and
- a centering ring extending into and engaging the walls of the annular recesses in the respective modular units, in order to ensure centerality of the axis of symmetry of the radiation beam, while permitting relative rotation of the first and second modular units.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.