Abstract:
A double-pass scanning monochromator for use in an optical spectrum analyzer includes an input optical fiber for emitting an input light beam, a diffraction grating for diffracting the input light beam to produce a spatially dispersed light beam, a slit for passing a selected portion of the dispersed light beam, a motor for rotating the diffraction grating, a shaft angle encoder for sensing grating position, and an output optical fiber. The light that passes through the slit is directed to the diffraction grating and is recombined by the diffraction grating to produce an output light beam. The light beam to be analyzed is incident on the diffraction grating during first and second passes. A polarization rotation device rotates the polarization components of the light beam by 90.degree. between the first and second passes so that the output of the monochromator is independent of the polarization of the input light beam. The output optical fiber is translated by a micropositioning assembly in a plane perpendicular to the output light beam during rotation of the diffraction grating to automatically track the output light beam and to provide optical chopping.
Abstract:
A multichannel imaging spectrometer for airborne geological, geophysical and environmental surveys in a moving vehicle. An optical scanner employs a rotating polygon allowing reduced scan optics with increased data acquisition efficiency. Multiple spectrometers integrally registered allow channelization of the received signal to optimize noise performance in the range from ultraviolet through infrared. Output data is in a form for recording and real time display. A staring mode configuration provides enhanced sensitivity by using a two-dimensional detector array and adjustable mirror orientation. A scanning mode embodiment employs a two-dimensional detector array with time delay integration and three-dimensional storage of temporal spatial data and spectral wavelength and intensity. Thus, all channels are acquired simultaneously, resulting in perfect band-to-band registration with continuous spectral curves over the field of view.
Abstract:
A double pass scanning monochromator for use in an optical spectrum analyzer includes an input optical fiber for emitting an input light beam, a diffraction grating for diffracting the input light beam to produce a spatially dispersed light beam, a slit for passing a selected portion of the dispersed light beam, a motor for rotating the diffraction grating, a shaft angle encoder for sensing grating position, and an output optical fiber. The light that passes through the slit is directed to the diffraction grating and is recombined by the diffraction grating to produce an output light beam. The light beam to be analyzed is incident on the diffraction grating during first and second passes. A polarization rotation device rotates the polarization components of the light beam by 90.degree. between the first and second passes so that the output of the monochromator is independent of the polarization of the input light beam. The output optical fiber is translated by a micropositioning assembly in a plane perpendicular to the output light beam during rotation of the diffraction grating to automatically track the output light beam and to provide optical chopping.
Abstract:
A spectrophotometer including: a) a light source switching mechanism for switching a plurality of light sources by swinging a light source mirror; b) a filter selecting mechanism; c) a diffraction grating rotating mechanism; and d) a controller for determining the operation origins of the three driving mechanisms using a rough origin sensor provided for the diffraction grating rotating mechanism and a photometer. The operation of the controller is to: i) determine an origin of the movement of the filter by making an end of the filter frame to touch a stopper; ii) determine a rough origin of the diffraction grating using the rough origin sensor; and iii) determine an origin of the movement of the light source mirror and a precise origin of the movement of the diffraction grating by detecting the position at which the photometer detects the maximum intensity of light.
Abstract:
A solid monolithic spectrograph utilizes the Czerny-Turner geometric confration. It has a base constructed of BK7 optical glass to which all components are affixed with optical epoxy. The compact spectrograph operates in the visible spectrum in second order thereby permitting it to be smaller by a factor of two than if it operated in first order. The spectrograph is programmable and is capable of simultaneous multi-channel measurements of wavelengths and bandwidths of sources in the visible and near infrared spectral regions.
Abstract:
A monolithic diffraction spectrometer having a diffraction grating formed over a light sensing array is provided. The diffraction grating serves to diffract wavelengths of interest to an underlying photosensitive device while diffracting other wavelengths away from the photosensing element. By forming a diffraction grating with a variable pitch, or multiple diffraction gratings having various pitches, any number of specific light wavelengths can be detected with a high degree of precision. When a diffraction grating having a pitch which is in the order of the incident wavelength of light is used, improved sensitivity is achieved.
Abstract:
An optical system and method comprising a diffraction grating which consists of diffracting elements spaced from one another by unequal distances. Correction of residual defocusing in the image produced by such a grating is accomplished by translating it along its surface. As one embodiment, a monochromator is constructed on which a self-focusing grating scans the value in wavelength which is transmitted between fixed slits by rotation of the grating about an axis fixed in space. Combined with a translation of the grating along its surface, such a monochromator produces a symmetrical image exactly in focus at the exit slit for all scanned wavelengths.
Abstract:
The correlational gas analyzer comprises a light source passed through the gas under study, which features a quasiperiodic pattern of the specified spectral band, and an optical system with sequentially positioned along the optical path condensor, input slit iris, dispersing means to decomposed the specified spectral band of the gas under study, and rotatably mounted output slit iris configures as a disc with a plurality of slits, uniformly distributed along its circumference and equidistant from the disc center. The spacing between the centers of adjacent slits is approximately equal to the scan length of the specified spectral band of the gas under study. The output slit iris scans the specified spectral band of the gas under study across a photoreceiver, the output signal whereof drives two electric signal amplifiers. One of the amplifiers is designed as a tuned amplifier, with the resonant frequency thereof defined by a preset relation between the disc rotation speed, the number of maxima or minima in the specified spectral band, and the number of slits in the disc.
Abstract:
A correlational gas analyzer, comprising a light source with the light beam passed through the gas under study with a quasiperiodic pattern of the spectral band, and an optical system with sequentially positioned along the light beam condensor, input slit iris, beam dispering element and rotatably mounted output slit iris configured as a disc with a slit shaped as an Archimedes spiral. The Archimedes spiral center is coincident with the disc center and its pitch is approximately equal to the scan length of the specified spectral band of the gas under study. The output slit iris scans the specified spectral band of the gas under study across a photoreceiver, the outputs whereof drive the inputs of a first and second electric signal amplifier, with the outputs thereof connected to connected in series corrector unit and recorder. The first amplifier is a tuned amplifier with resonant frequency defined by the speed of disc rotation and by the number of maxima or minima in the specified spectral band of the gas under study.
Abstract:
An arrangement for an integrated optical spectrometer having an optical film waveguide and a focusing optical grating with grating lines extending perpendicular to a plane of the film waveguide characterized by the grating having a fixed grating constant so that adjustment and contrast problems can be avoided. The new arrangement can take the form of a film waveguide in coaction with a ribbed waveguide disposed thereon, with the grating being formed in the edges of the ribbed waveguide.