Abstract:
Certain embodiments are directed to devices and methods to facilitate alignment of a sampling region and an illumination region. In certain examples, a light emission signal can be positioned within an alignment signal to align a collection optical fiber with a region of a sample illuminated by a light source.
Abstract:
A planar nanospectrometer formed as a single chip that uses diffraction structures, which are combinations of numerous nano-features placed in a predetermined configuration and providing multiple functionalities such as guiding light, resonantly reflecting light at multiple wavelengths, directing light to detectors, and focusing light on the detectors. The diffraction structure can be described as a digital planar hologram that comprises an optimized combination of overlaid virtual sub-gratings, each of which is resonant to a single wavelength of light. Each device includes at least one sensor, at least one light source, and at least one digital planar hologram in an optical waveguide. The device of the present invention allows detection of small amounts of analytes in gases and liquids or on solid surfaces and can be particularly advantageous for field analysis of environmental safety in multiple locations because of its miniature size and low cost.
Abstract:
In a spectrometer, preferably in a spectrometric microscope, light from a specimen is collected at a collector objective element and delivered to a camera element, which in turn provides the light to a photosensitive detector. A focal plane is provided between the collector objective element and the camera element, and one or more aperture arrays may be situated in the focal plane to restrict the detector's field of view of the specimen to the areas within the apertures. By utilizing aperture arrays with apertures of different sizes and shapes, the spatial resolution of the spectrometer readings may be varied without the need to vary the optics of the spectrometer. As a result, if the optics are optimized to minimize vignetting, spatial resolution may be varied without adverse increases in vignetting.
Abstract:
A spectrophotometer has a first photodetector (24) and a second photodetector (25) which is displaced spatially from the first photodetector in the direction of increasing wavelength in the spectrum. At any given time the second photodetector receives light at a wavelength which is substantially greater than that being received simultaneously by the first photodetector at that time. The first photodetector has a first range of wavelengths over which it is operable and a first upper operating limit, and the second photodetector has a second range of wavelengths over which it is operable and a second upper operating limit, the second range overlapping the first range and the second upper operating limit being greater than the first upper operating limit. Thus the range of operation is extended, and data in two different ranges is processed simultaneously. The spectrophotometer comprises a housing (1) containing a light source (11), a monochromator (15, 16, 18) and the photodetectors, there being a fibre optic connected to a probe (2) for transmitting light from the light source to a sample to be analysed and receiving light from the sample. Optical components are mounted to a chassis (26) of the housing rigidly, the chassis being connected to the housing by shock absorbing mounts (28, 29). The light source is mounted to the housing by means of an adjuster (24) providing for adjustment laterally with respect to the optical axis of the light source.
Abstract:
A spectrophotometric instrument is comprised of a processor, a probe (402) having a tissue engaging surface (404) with an aperture (422) therethrough and a light source producing measurement light signals and optically coupled to the probe via a first optical path (420). A partially reflective first reflecting member (430) is located in the probe and has a generally elliptical profile positioned to reflect a first portion of the measurement light signals to the tissue aperture and to transmit a second portion of the measurement light signals through the first reflecting member. A second reflecting member (456) is located in the probe and has a generally elliptical profile positioned to reflect the measurement light signals transmitted through the first reflecting member. A second optical path (428) has a distal end positioned in the probe to receive to receive light signals transmitted through the tissue sample and a proximal end coupled to the processor.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is disclosed for multi-mode spectral imaging. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises the steps of illuminating an object with a modified illumination profile, producing a reflected, transmitted or fluorescence image of the illuminated object, scanning the object, and re-imaging the reflected, transmitted or fluorescence light after modifying the light's optical state. The present invention preferably works in conjunction with other imaging systems to provide both high-spectral resolution images with lower temporal resolution and multiple image acquisition with high temporal resolution.
Abstract:
An instrument (10) including a scannable mirror (100, 110) employs multimode optical fibers (24, 32, 36, 42, 46, 52) and an optical coupler (40). Modal dispersion, e.g., from the multimode optical fiber (24, 32, 36, 42, 46, 52), is reduced by a method (200) employing deconvolution. The scannable mirror (100, 110, 44, 144) may employ a mirror (110) movable in an optical waveguide (104) or an optical fiber (42, 46) wound on an expandable core (124, 124a, 124b).
Abstract:
A monolithic spectrometer system providing vibration immunity and thermal stability, designed for infrared gas detection and chemical identification in the field or on the loading dock. One embodiment of the invention includes a spectrometer system (10) with the following elements: a silicon block waveguide (12); a cylindrical mirror (14); a diffraction grating (16); and a linear detector array (18). Electronics (20) can couple to the array (18) so as to collect electronic data representative of the spectral characteristics of the light (22) entering the system (10). Control of the system (10) is obtained through user interface (24). A battery (26) can be used to power the system (10).