Abstract:
A system for calibrating a sensor in a vehicle, such as a space capsule or another space borne apparatus, uses an expandable integrating sphere. A sensor in the vehicle measures the energy from an electromagnetic energy source within the integrating sphere through a calibration window. The expandable fluid impermeable integrating sphere expands when filled with a fluid, such that when filled with the fluid, its interior is viewable through the calibration window. The system includes a source of fluid to fill the integrating sphere and a fluid regulator coupled to the vehicle to determine when to supply the fluid to the integrating sphere to maintain an appropriate gas pressure level with the integrating sphere.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a quantum dot based radiation source includes a housing having a wall defining a cavity therein, a plurality of quantum dots disposed on an inner surface of the wall of the housing, and a radiation excitation source in optical communication with the housing and configured to output radiation to excite the plurality of quantum dots to emit radiation in a desired wavelength range. The quantum dot based radiation source can be used in a calibration system or calibrator, for example to calibrate a detector.
Abstract:
A mirror (3) is provided with a light source window (2) and an illumination window (4) each establishing communicative connection between an inner face side and an outer side of a hemispherical unit (1). The light source window (2) is an opening to which a light source (OBJ) to be measured is attached mainly. The illumination window (4) is an opening for guiding a flux of light from a correcting light source (9) used for measurement of self-absorption toward the inner face of the hemispherical unit (1). A self-absorption correcting coefficient of the light source (OBJ) is calculated based on an illuminance by a correcting flux of light in a case where the light source to be measured (OBJ) in a non-light emitting state is attached to the light source window (2) and an illuminance by a correcting flux of light in a case where a calibration mirror is attached to the light source window.
Abstract:
A spectrophotometric system includes a zoom lens assembly that is mounted for axial translation relative to an integrating sphere. The zoom lens assembly includes first and second focusing lens mounted to an axially movable lens carrier. The lens carrier is positioned intermediate first and second sets of mirrors for reflecting/directing SCE and SCI beams toward fiber ports. A reference beam is also emitted from the integrating sphere and transmitted to a processor, thereby resulting in simultaneous tri-beam measurements. The disclosed spectrophotometric systems may also include an aperture plate detection assembly and/or a sample holder assembly that incorporates a dampening gas spring. The aperture plate detection system includes a detection disk that may include a plurality of pre-positioned sensors that interact with an activating ridge formed on the aperture plate for identification thereof.
Abstract:
A multifunctional infrared spectrometer system (20) has an interferometer (27) which receives the infrared beam from a source (22) and provides a modulated output beam on beam paths to multiple spatially separated infrared detectors (77, 88). A multi-position mirror element (64) mounted at a junction position (63) receives the beam on a main beam path and directs it on branch beam paths to sample positions, with the beam then being directed on the branch beam path to one of the detectors (77, 88). One of the branch beam paths may include a sample holder (80) at the sample position which can index between a position at which a sample is analyzed, to a reference material position, or to a pass-through position for calibration purposes. The multi-position mirror element (64) may also be indexed to direct the beam on a branch path to a fiber optic cable (70, 76) including a probe (71). The multi-position mirror element (64) may be moved to a position at which the beam is directed on a beam path to and through an integrating sphere to a sample.
Abstract:
The present invention is a novel apparatus that employs an integrating sphere (62) as a source of diffused light for multiple PMTs (64). The PMTs (64) are coupled to the integrating sphere (62) to receive diffused light from the integrating sphere (62). An optional faceplate (66) may be employed at the input port of the integrating sphere (62) in order to select certain characteristics of the light according to the characteristics of the faceplate (66).
Abstract:
A remote laser sensor (10) incorporating a single integrated detector (20). The laser sensor (10) comprises a laser (11) for transmitting laser energy that is applied to a target (19), and a beamsplitter (12) for sampling of the transmitted laser energy. A telescope (16) is provided for collecting laser energy reflected from the target. The integrated detector (20) comprises an integrating sphere (13) for receiving the sampled transmitted laser energy and for receiving the laser energy reflected from the target, and a detector (14) coupled to the integrating sphere for selectively detecting the sampled transmitted laser energy and the laser energy reflected from the target. A scatter plate (15) may be disposed inside the integrating sphere for preventing photons from entering the detector that result directly from a first scattering event within the sphere. In operation, the laser provides a transmit beam that is directed at the target and reflected energy from the target is collected by the telescope and focused onto the detector. Detector integration is accomplished by using a single detector chip (14a) mounted to a rear surface (13a) of the integrating sphere, which allows sampling of the entire cross-section of the laser transmit beam. The beamsplitter is employed to sample a portion of the transmit beam which is applied to the detector.