Back to results
US 5,210,590 AGranted
Rapid scanning spectrographic analyzer
AssigneeL. T. Industries, Inc.
InventorsIsaac J. Landa, Michael M. Anthony
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An fixed grating, detector-array type analyzer rapidly multiplexes multiple channels. The analyzer comprises a light source, a detector array-type spectrograph, and an optical multiplexer. The multiplexer can select from one of a plurality of channels. Further, the multiplexer can convolute light passing through it with a reference spectrum for calibration and wavelength drift compensation. Rapid multiplexing is achieved using a fiber optic slit array which "perpendicularly multiplexes" the plurality of channels.
Claims14
An apparatus for optically analyzing a plurality of samples, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) light source means for generating a source light having a preselected spectrum of wavelengths;
- (b) spectrograph means for receiving incident light and for separating said incident light into individual wavelengths for analysis, said spectrograph means including a light entrance, a diffraction grating and an optical detector, said detector producing an electrical signal representative of the spectral contents of said incident light;
- (c) optical multiplexing means having a plurality of multiplexer channels for the selective transmission of incident light through one multiplexer channel at a time, each said multiplexer channel including an input opening for receiving said incident light and an output opening for transmitting said incident light;
- and
- (d) a plurality of analysis channels, each analysis channel including:
- (i) optical probe means adapted to receive said source light, to focus said source light on a sample material to produce a sample convoluted light, and to collect said sample convoluted light;
- (ii) first optical interconnect means for guiding said source light from said source means to said optical probe means;
- (iii) second optical interconnect means for guiding said sample convoluted light from said optical probe means to one of said multiplexer channels;
- and
- (iv) third optical interconnect means for guiding said sample convoluted light from said one of said multiplexer channels to said light entrance of said spectrograph means, said third optical interconnect means having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said output opening of said multiplexer channel;
- said second ends of said third optical interconnect means of said plurality of analysis channels being arranged to form an entrance slit array, said entrance slit array being coupled to said light entrance of said spectrograph means for focusing said sample convoluted light on said diffraction grating.
8 more elements
An apparatus for optically analyzing a plurality of samples, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a light source;
- (b) a spectrograph including a light entrance, a diffraction grating and an optical detector;
- (c) an optical multiplexer having a plurality of multiplexer channels for the selective transmission of incident light through one multiplexer channel at a time, each said multiplexer channel including an input opening for receiving said incident light and an output opening for transmitting said incident light;
- and
- (d) a plurality of analysis channels, each analysis channel including:
- (i) an optical probe adapted to receive said source light, to focus said source light on a sample material to produce a sample convoluted light, and to collect said sample convoluted light;
- (ii) first optical interconnect means for guiding said source light to said optical probe;
- (iii) second optical interconnect means for guiding said sample convoluted light from said optical probe to one of said multiplexer channels;
- and
- (iv) third optical interconnect means for guiding said sample convoluted light from said one of said multiplexer channels to said light entrance of said spectrograph, said third optical interconnect means having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said output opening of said multiplexer channel;
- said second ends of said third optical interconnect means of said plurality of analysis channels being arranged to form an entrance slit array, said entrance slit array being coupled to said light entrance of said spectrograph for focusing said sample convoluted light on said diffraction grating.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.