Abstract:
An assembly is disclosed for optical components, the assembly comprising: a platform for receiving and supporting a plurality of carrier components having optical components mounted thereon; carrier component receiving stations formed on the platform, each of the stations being adapted to receive and retain one of the carrier components; a first one of the carrier components having a light beam outlet; and a second one of the carrier components having a light beam receiving port, wherein the optical component receiving stations are disposed to position the first one of the components and second one of the components relative to one another such that the light beam outlet and the light beam receiving port are in alignment with one another.
Abstract:
An optical bandwidth source for generating amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) across a selected wavelength range, the optical bandwidth source including a waveguide having a first end and a second end, and comprising a plurality of separate wavelength gain subsections arranged in a serial configuration between the first end and the second end so as to collectively form an active waveguide between the first end and the second end; wherein each of the wavelength gain subsections is configured to produce ASE across a wavelength range which is less than, but contained within, the selected wavelength range, whereby the plurality of separate wavelength gain subsections collectively produce ASE across the selected wavelength range.
Abstract:
A compact, lightweight, portable optical assembly comprising: a platform; and a plurality of optical elements mounted to the platform; wherein the plurality of optical elements are optically connected to one another with free-space couplings so as to form an optical circuit; and further wherein the platform is sufficiently mechanically robust so as to maintain the free-space optical coupling between the various optical elements. A method for making a compact, lightweight, portable optical assembly, comprising: providing a platform; and mounting a plurality of optical elements to the platform; wherein the plurality of optical elements are mounted to the platform so that they are optically connected to one another with free-space couplings so as to form an optical circuit; and further wherein the platform is sufficiently mechanically robust so as to maintain the free-space optical coupling between the various optical elements.
Abstract:
An optical bandwidth source for generating amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) across a selected wavelength range, the optical bandwidth source including a waveguide having a first end and a second end, and comprising a plurality of separate wavelength gain subsections arranged in a serial configuration between the first end and the second end so as to collectively form an active waveguide between the first end and the second end; wherein each of the wavelength gain subsections is configured to produce ASE across a wavelength range which is less than, but contained within, the selected wavelength range, whereby the plurality of separate wavelength gain subsections collectively produce ASE across the selected wavelength range.
Abstract:
A spectrometer comprising a collimating element for receiving input light and collimating the same, a dispersive optical element for receiving light from the collimating element and dispersing the same and a focusing element for receiving light from the dispersive optical element and focusing the same on a detector assembly wherein, where the wavelength dispersion of the dispersed light extends in the x-y direction, the collimating element and the focusing element are formed so as to maintain the desired optical parameters in the x-y plane while having a reduced size in the z direction.
Abstract:
A compact, portable Raman spectrometer makes fast, sensitive standoff measurements at little to no risk of eye injury or igniting the materials being probed. This spectrometer uses differential Raman spectroscopy and ambient light measurements to measure point-and-shoot Raman signatures of dark or highly fluorescent materials at distances of 1 cm to 10 m or more. It scans the Raman pump beam(s) across the sample to reduce the risk of unduly heating or igniting the sample. Beam scanning also transforms the spectrometer into an instrument with a lower effective safety classification, reducing the risk of eye injury. The spectrometer's long standoff range automatic focusing make it easier to identify chemicals through clear and translucent obstacles, such as flow tubes, windows, and containers. And the spectrometer's components are light and small enough to be packaged in a handheld housing or housing suitable for a small robot to carry.
Abstract:
We disclose an apparatus comprising: a hand-portable optical analysis unit including an optical interface; and a device configured to receive and releasably engage the hand-portable optical analysis unit. The device comprises: a housing; a sample unit in the housing; and a resilient member configured to bias the sample unit and the hand-portable analysis unit towards each other when the hand-portable optical analysis unit is received in the device to compress a sample disposed between the sample unit and the optical interface of the optical analysis unit. Methods of analyzing samples are also disclosed.
Abstract:
We disclose apparatus that includes: (a) an enclosure including an aperture; (b) a prism mounted in the enclosure so that a surface of the prism is exposed through the aperture; (c) an optical assembly contained within the enclosure, the optical assembly including a radiation source and a radiation detector, the source being configured to direct radiation towards the prism and the detector being configured to detect radiation from the source reflected from the exposed surface of the prism; and (d) an electronic processor contained within the enclosure, the electronic processor being in communication with the detector. The apparatus can be configured so that, during operation, the electronic processor determines information about a sample placed in contact with the exposed surface of the prism based on radiation reflected from the exposed prism surface while it is in contact with the sample.
Abstract:
We disclose apparatus that includes: (a) an enclosure including an aperture; (b) a prism mounted in the enclosure so that a surface of the prism is exposed through the aperture; (c) an optical assembly contained within the enclosure, the optical assembly including a radiation source and a radiation detector, the source being configured to direct radiation towards the prism and the detector being configured to detect radiation from the source reflected from the exposed surface of the prism; and (d) an electronic processor contained within the enclosure, the electronic processor being in communication with the detector. The apparatus can be configured so that, during operation, the electronic processor determines information about a sample placed in contact with the exposed surface of the prism based on radiation reflected from the exposed prism surface while it is in contact with the sample.
Abstract:
A Raman probe assembly comprises: a light source for generating laser excitation light; a camera for capturing an image; a light analyzer for analyzing a Raman signature; and a light path for (i) delivering the laser excitation light from the light source to the specimen so as to produce the Raman signature for the specimen, (ii) capturing an image of the specimen and directing that image to the camera, and (iii) directing the Raman signature of the specimen to the light analyzer. A method includes providing a Raman probe assembly carried by a remote controlled robot; navigating the remote control robot to a position adjacent to a specimen; opening a shutter/wiper disposed adjacent to a window of the Raman analyzer; using a camera to aim the probe body at the specimen; energizing a light source; and analyzing the return light passed to the light analyzer.