Spectral instrument using multiple non-interfering optical beam paths and elements for use therewith

A spectral instrument for performing analysis of spectral energy of an input optical beam, said input optical beam having a wavelength distribution and an energy distribution, said spectral instrument comprising:

• a first entrance slit upon which an entrance optical beam, derived from said input optical beam, is directed in a first path, said first entrance slit creating thereby a first entrance slit beam, said first entrance slit beam having a cross section dimensions substantially equal to the cross section dimensions of said first entrance slit;
• a first location on a prism first reflecting surface upon which said entrance slit beam is directed in a second path, said prism first reflecting surface directs said entrance slit beam on a third path to a grating component, said entrance slit beam thereby being diffracted by said grating component creating a first diffracted beam which first diffracted beam is reflected in a fourth path from said grating component surface to a first location on a prism second reflecting surface;
• field lens upon which said first diffracted beam is directed on a fifth path from said prism second reflecting surface focuses and directs said first diffracted beam and a defined and selected portion of the optical spectrum of said first diffracted beam onto a first exit slit, said first exit slit thereby discriminating and producing a narrow bandwidth beam of optical wavelengths;
• return mirror upon which said narrow bandwidth beam is directed on a sixth path, said return mirror creating a mirror image beam of said narrow bandwidth beam and directing on a seventh path said mirror image beam to said field lens;
• second entrance slit upon which said mirror image beam is directed on an eighth path by said field lens providing discrimination of said mirror image beam;
• a second location of said prism second reflecting surface upon which said discriminated mirror image beam is directed, said prism second reflecting surface directs on a ninth path, said discriminated mirror image beam to said grating component, said discriminated mirror image beam being diffracted by said grating component creating a diffracted discriminated mirror image beam which diffracted discriminated mirror image beam is reflected on a tenth path from said grating component surface to a second location on said prism first reflecting surface;
• and
• a second exit slit upon which said second location on said prism first reflecting surface directs on an eleventh path, said diffracted discriminated mirror image beam providing a second discrimination of said diffracted mirror image beam.

A method for using a spectral system for measuring and transmitting spectral energy data in the form of a spectrum derived from wavelength data characteristic of a stream of electromagnetic radiation, said spectral system being controlled by a plurality of commands, said spectral system having;

• at least one function, a plurality at calibration operations, automatic caging capability, manual filter control, and a shutter, said method comprising:
• powering up said spectral system;
• initializing said spectral system;
• calibrating said spectral system;
• commanding said spectral system to perform functions comprising;
• reading said spectral energy data, scanning said spectral energy data, integrating said spectral energy data over time, displaying said spectral energy data, requesting status of said spectral system stopping an ongoing command, performing automatic caging of means for causing said scanning, reading temperature, calibrating said spectral system, opening shutter, closing shutter, controlling a selection of order sorting lifters, and entering sleep mode;
• receiving from said spectral system, said spectral energy data read by said spectral system;
• interpreting said received data:
• and powering down said system.