Low profile light collimator micro baffle and method

A detection system, comprising:

• a light transmitter;
• a light sensor situated proximate an interrogation region, the light sensor oriented to receive light emitted by the light transmitter, the light sensor comprising:
• a substrate, the substrate including a detector for detecting an arrival and an interruption of the emitted light;
• and
• at least one baffle plate disposed above the substrate, the at least one baffle plate including a baffle plate material having a thickness and configured to prevent light from striking the detector, the baffle plate material including:
• a central region having a plurality of collimator holes disposed within the baffle plate material, the central region having a diameter, the collimator holes configured to pass intended light to the detector;
• and
• a concentric region of the material surrounding the central region, the concentric region having no collimator holes and having an annular width substantially equal to the diameter of the central region, the thickness of the baffle plate determining a viewable angle passing the intended light into the central region;
• and
• a system controller in communication with the light sensor, the system controller receiving information from the light sensor to detect interruption of the emitted light.

A light baffle, comprising:

• a baffle plate, the plate having:
• a thickness;
• and
• a baffle plate material
• a central region having a plurality of collimator holes disposed within the baffle plate material, the central region having a diameter, the collimator holes configured to pass intended light to the detector;
• and
• a concentric region of the material surrounding the central region, the concentric region having no collimator holes, and having an annular width substantially equal to the diameter of the central region, the thickness of the baffle plate determining a viewable angle passing the intended light into the central region.