Variable high speed shutter for spectroradiometry

Abstract

A radiation pulse, such as from a solar simulator, is spectrally analyzed over a selected sampling pulse that is shorter in duration than the radiation pulse and is timed to begin after the start of the radiation pulse. A deformable membrane mirror is controlled to function as a high speed shutter in the path of the radiation pulse. When not deformed, the mirror reflects the radiation pulse into an optical instrument, such as a spectroradiometer. A sampling pulse is generated for a selected time after the start of the radiation pulse and is applied to the mirror to ensure total reflection of the radiation pulse only for the duration of the sampling pulse. Controls are provided to adjust the start time and duration of the sampling pulse, and to adjust the sensitivity of sensing the start of the radiation pulse.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.