Optical analysis systems and methods for dynamic, high-speed detection and real-time multivariate optical computing

An optical analysis system, comprising:

• a light source being configured to radiate a first light along a first ray path;
• a modulator disposed in the first ray path, the modulator being configured to modulate the first light to a desired frequency;
• a spectral element disposed proximate the modulator, the spectral element being configured to filter the first light for a spectral range of interest of a sample;
• a light diversion path for diverting the first light into the sample, the first light being transmitted through the sample and emerging as a second light;
• a beamsplitter being configured to split the second light into a first beam and a second beam;
• an optical filter mechanism disposed to receive the first beam, the optical filter mechanism being configured to optically filter data carried by the first beam into at least one orthogonal component of the first beam;
• a first detector mechanism in communication with the optical filter mechanism to measure a property of the orthogonal component to measure the data;
• and
• a second detector mechanism being configured to receive the second beam for comparison of the property of the orthogonal component to the second beam.

A method of high-speed processing and monitoring, comprising:

• moving a product past an inspection point;
• illuminating at least a section of the product with a light;
• directing the light that has passed through the section and is carrying information about the product through at least one multivariate optical element to produce a first signal;
• deflecting a portion of the light to produce a second signal;
• detecting the first signal at a first detector;
• detecting the second signal at a second detector;
• and
• determining at least one property of the product based upon the detector outputs as the product moves past the inspection point at a rate of about one section per second to about five sections per second.

A method of processing and monitoring a product, the method comprising:

• introducing a product at an inspection point;
• illuminating the product with a spectral-specific light though an optic lens;
• directing the light that has passed through at least a section of the product through at least one multivariate optical element to produce a first signal, the directed light carrying information about the product;
• detecting the first signal at a first detector;
• deflecting a portion of the directed light to produce a second signal in a direction of a second detector, the second detector configured to detect the second signal;
• and
• determining at least one property of the product at a rate of about one section of the product per second to about five sections of the product per second based upon the detector outputs.