US 7,119,904 B2 · Stabilized infrared source for infrared spectrometers

Abstract

An infrared spectrometer includes an infrared source system that is stabilized to provide a substantially constant output light intensity. The infrared source system includes a source element adapted to receive electrical power and to emit light at an intensity related to the electrical power received by the source element. A light detector is mounted in position to receive light emitted from the source element and to provide an output signal related to the intensity of the light received by the detector. A feedback control loop receives the signal from the detector and provides electrical power to the source element to maintain the intensity of the light output from the source element at a selected level as detected by the detector.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An infrared source system for an infrared spectrometer comprising:

(a) an infrared source element adapted to receive electrical power and to emit light including infrared light at an intensity related to the electrical power received by the source element;
(b) a light detector mounted in position to receive light emitted from the source element and to provide an output signal related to the intensity of the light received by the detector;
and
(c) a feedback controller receiving the signal from the detector and connected to the source element, wherein the feedback controller receives a temperature set point and provides electrical power to the source element to maintain the intensity of the light output from the source element at a selected level.

1 more element

A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer system comprising:

(a) an infrared source system which provides a beam of infrared light comprising:
(1) an infrared source element adapted to receive electrical power and to emit light including infrared light at an intensity related to the electrical power received by the source element;
(2) a light detector mounted in position to receive light emitted from the source element and to provide an output signal related to the intensity of the light received by the light detector;
and
(3) a feedback control loop receiving the signal from the light detector and connected to the source element, wherein the feedback control loop receives a temperature set point and provides power to the source element to maintain the intensity of a light output from the source element at a selected level as detected by the light detector;
(b) an interferometer which receives the beam from the source system and produces a modulated output beam;
(c) an infrared detector;
and
(d) optical elements forming a beam path directing the modulated output beam to a sample position and thence to the infrared detector to focus the beam onto the infrared detector.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Stabilized infrared source for infrared spectrometers

Life of this patent

Stabilized infrared source for infrared spectrometers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19