Abstract:
The present invention relates to a double pass monochromator that improves wavelength resolution and reduces the actual length thereof. A return reflection means 7 that reverses the direction of dispersion of the wavelength of the second pass light 1c, 1f emitted and incident on a diffraction grating 4 during the reflection. In addition, the angles of the incident and emitted light during separation of spectral components by the diffraction grating are identical during the first and second diffraction.
Abstract:
An ellipsometer, and a method of ellipsometry, for analyzing a sample (2) using a broad range of wavelengths, includes a ligth source (4) for generating a beam of polychromatic light for interacting with the sample. A polarizer (6) polarizes the light beam before the light beam interacts with the sample. A rotating compensator (8) induces phase retardations of a polarization state of the light beam wherein the range of wavelengths and the compensator are selected such that at least a first phase retardation value is induced that is within a primary range of effective retardations of substantially 135° to 225°, and at least a second phase retardation value is induced that is outside of the primary range. An analyzer (10) interacts with the light beam after the light beam interacts with the sample. A detector (12) measures the intensity of light after interacting with the analyzer as a function of compensator angle and of wavelength, preferably at all wavelengths simultaneously. A processor (23) determines the polarization state of the analyzer from the light intensities measured by the detector.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a programmable filter for use as a standard in correlation spectrometers. Also provided is the use of the programmable standard in a process for determining the concentration of an optically absorbing compound. Also provided is a method and apparatus for noninvasively determining the concentration of an optically absorbing biological sample which incorporates the programmable standard of the invention. In one embodiment the programmable standard (20) contains a dispersive element (106a) and a transmissive spatial light modulator (108). Because the position of each light beam correlates to its wavelength, spatial filter (108) controllably and selectively attenuates desired wavelengths of the input beam.
Abstract:
Apparatus for spectrophotometric analysis of a material P in a container 16 by reflectance of a beam 4 applied to the material through aperture 11 in a primary mask 9. A restricted beam 12 resulting from the mask 9 is applied through a port 13 in an opaque secondary mask 10 to the material P. The beam 12 is wholly within the port 13 and radiation reflected from the material P passes through the port 13 to detectors 7 for analysis. The mask 10 defines by its port 13 an area on the base 17 of the container through which the beam 12 is applied to the material P and is not subjected to spurious reflections and refractions otherwise created by the container 16 between its base 17 and side wall 18. The container 16 may be spaced from the mask 10 and inclined relative thereto so that the mask 10 shields the top and bottom ends of the container 16. The invention also includes a conversion kit with masks 9 and 10 for fitting to existing spectrophotometers and an apparatus by which an array of containers 16 can be fed successively and automatically to overlie port 13 for analysis and thereafter removed.
Abstract:
An apparatus and a method are provided for selectively eliminating weeds in agriculture operations. To provide selective elimination, at least two light (radiation) emitters (201, 202), powered by an internal power source, are modulated to switch on and off at very high speeds. Each emitter emits radiation of a different emitter wavelength. The on/off modulation of one emitter is phase shifted by approximately 90 degrees with respect to the modulation of the particular spot on the ground. The light beams (203, 204), provided by the emitters, are reflected off a plant (206) or the soil and are intercepted by a photodetector. Because plants have a characteristic spectral reflectance in regions of the electromagnetic spectrum which can be discriminated from the spectral reflectance of the background earth, the relative amplitudes of the reflected radiation at the two emitter wavelengths varies depending on whether the radiation is reflected off a plant or the soil. A ratio of the radiation at the two emitter wavelengths received by the photodetector is converted to phase. This phase is compared to an initial reference phase of the modulation of one of the emitters. A controller (221) uses this phase information to determine the presence or absence of a plant and then eliminates the weed.
Abstract:
Un spectromètre pour étalonner un numériseur d'image couleur comporte un élément opaque, présentant une fente optique, mobile pour venir en position sur un axe optique du numériseur entre sa source de lumière polychromatique et sa lentille dans un plan occupé par une image couleur en cours de numérisation. Un réseau de diffraction est de la même manière mobile sur l'axe optique entre la fente et la lentille. Le réseau étant à proximité de la fente, l'élément opaque et le réseau peuvent faire partie d'un ensemble unique pouvant être facilement amené dans l'axe optique en un point approprié à proximité du plan d'exploration du numériseur d'image. La source de lumière éclaire la fente, et le réseau de diffraction disperse les spectres en double en dehors de l'axe sur les moitiés respectives du détecteur d'image, ce qui permet l'obtention de données d'étalonnage.
Abstract:
A SLM spectrometer is provided that employs an entrance slit (40) or a collimator (42) to provide parallel rays of radiation to a prism (44) which disperses the incident radiation into an associated wavelength spectrum. The resulting spectrum from the prism (44) is incident upon a spatial light modulator (SLM) (46), such as a deformable mirror device (DMD). By selectively activating (or deactivating) a small portion of the surface of the SLM, i.e. a cell on the SLM, it is possible to selectively reflect or transmit a portion of the spectrum incident upon the SLM onto a focusing device, such as a parabolic focusing mirror (48). The focusing device in turn focuses the portion of the spectrum reflected by the selected cells on the SLM to a sensor (50). The wavelength selected is a function of which row of cells are activated (or deactivated) in the SLM. The SLM spectrometer of the present invention may be used to analyze visible light and light that is near visible, such as the near infrared or ultraviolet regions. The output of the sensor or detector may be appropriately amplified and after appropriate calibration employed to determine the amount of energy in a particular wavelength or band of wavelengths.