US RE30,712 EGranted

System and apparatus for contour plotting the total luminescence spectrum of a sample

AssigneeBaxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

InventorJames H. Macemon

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Abstract

A system for plotting the total luminescence spectrum of a sample comprises a spectrofluorometer including excitation and emission monochromator stages having operating wavelengths dependent on applied stepping pulses, and an X-Y plotter having a marking pen synchronized for movement along X and Y axis with changes in the wavelengths of the monochromators. A control circuit generates pulses to incrementally step the emission monochromator and horizontally scan the marking pen. A level detection circuit monitors the output of the spectroflourometer and activates the pen upon attainment of a desired contour level. Limit circuitry incorporated in the control circuit momentarily actuates the excitation monochromator following each horizontal scan to increase the excitation wavelength for the subsequent emission scan to complete the plot.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A system for producing a two-dimensional contour plot of the total luminescence spectrum of a sample comprising, in combination:

excitation means including a monochromator having a variable operating wavelength dependent on applied pulses for generating a source of monochromatic light for application to said sample;
emission detection means including a monochromator having a variable operating wavelength dependent on applied pulses for generating an output signal dependent on the amplitude of flourescent light emitted from said sample;
an X-Y plotter including a marking pen responsive to an applied control effect and X and Y axis positioning means;
synchronization means coupled between said monochromators and said position means for synchronizing the position of said pen on said plotter with the operating wavelength of said monochromators;
pen control means responsive to the presence of a predetermined level at the output of said emission means for actuating said pen;
and
scanning means for progressively scanning one of said monochromators through a predetermined range of wavelengths, and for incrementally advancing the other of said monochromators upon the completion of each such scan, to form said desired contour plot.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.