Method and apparatus for analyzing a test material by inducing and detecting light-matter interactions
AssigneeCirrex Corp.
InventorsMichael L. Wach, Eric T. Marple
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for analyzing a test material by inducing and detecting light-matter interactions. Particles of matter are introduced into a volume bounded by reflective surfaces wherein light of discrete frequencies can set up a standing wave mode of low loss. Light transported over a waveguide is introduced to induce a state change in the particles of matter and to cause the release of quantitized energy from the matter. A portion of the quantitized energy is captured and transported over a waveguide to a detector. The detector records a portion of the quantitized energy. Characteristics of the particles of matter may then be determined based upon the recorded portion of the quantitized energy.
Claims49
A method for analyzing particles of matter, comprising the steps of:
- introducing said particles of matter into a volume partially bounded by reflective surfaces wherein light of discrete frequencies can set up at least one standing wave mode of low loss, a portion of the volume being surrounded by a totally internally reflective interface;
- exciting said particles from a first state to a second state with light transported over a waveguide so that said particles thereby release quantitized energy;
- capturing a portion of said quantitized energy as captured energy;
- transporting a portion of said captured energy over a waveguide to a detector;
- recording a portion of said captured energy with said detector;
- and
- inferring characteristics of said particles of matter based upon said recorded portion of said captured energy.
An apparatus for analyzing a test material by inducing and detecting light-matter interactions comprising:
- a distal element comprising a cavity for partially resonating energy from an excitation luminous energy, a portion of the cavity comprising a totally internally reflective interface for waveguiding the excitation luminous energy;
- a first carrying means for coupling the excitation luminous energy from a source to said distal element, and
- a second carrying means for coupling test luminous energy from said distal element to a detector.
An apparatus for analyzing material comprising:
- a chamber comprising partially reflective surfaces wherein photonic energy of discrete frequencies can set up at least one standing wave mode of low loss, the chamber further comprising totally internally reflective interface for waveguiding the phontonic energy;
- a source for generating photonic energy;
- an optical detector;
- a means for coupling energy between said source and said chamber;
- a means for coupling energy between said chamber and said detector;
- a means for energizing said chamber with photonic energy;
- and
- an inlet for passing material into said chamber.
An apparatus for remote material analysis comprising:
- a cavity;
- an optical path within said cavity along which luminous energy flows, the optical path comprising partially reflective surfaces wherein luminous energy of discrete frequencies can set up at least one standing wave mode of low loss, the optical path further comprising totally internally reflective interface for waveguiding the luminous energy wherein a first flux is established at a defined cross section of said optical path;
- a waveguide connecting said optical path and an optical source so that a second flux greater than said first flux is established at a defined cross section of said waveguide.
An apparatus for light-based material characterization of a sample, comprising:
- a housing;
- a cavity comprising partially reflective surfaces wherein optical energy of discrete frequencies can set up at least one standing wave mode of low loss, the cavity further comprising totally internally reflective interface for waveguiding the optical energy;
- means for delivering a first test signal to said cavity and receiving a second test signal from said cavity;
- means for resonating optical energy within said cavity;
- means for introducing a sample into said cavity;
- and
- means for segregating said first and second test signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.