Abstract:
Spectrum analyzer for the light absorption of a solution comprising a small transparent measuring cell containing the solution; a light source; means for dividing the beam of light of the source into two beams, one being the reference beam and the other the measuring beam transmitted respectively to a reference absorber element and to the measuring cell; means for selecting the measuring wavelength; means for modulating the reference and measuring beams which have respectively traversed the absorber element and the measuring cell; means for detecting the energies of each of the modulating beams after they have traversed the reference absorber element and the sample; the modulation means comprising alternate transparent and bireflecting sectors in front of each of the beams which have passed through the reference absorber and the measuring cell, said sectors being associated with means for selecting the wavelength of the beams in such a way that, as a function of the successive positions of the sectors relative to the beams, the detection means alternately receive the light transmitted by the sample and that transmitted by the absorber, the latter being such that it can independently absorb radiations of different wavelengths transmitted by the source and corresponding to the wavelength of the radiations absorbed by the components of the solution, means for comparing the energies of the modulated beams connected to detection means, wherein the modulation means are positioned directly behind the cell along the path of the divided measuring beam and immediately behind the absorber element on the path of the reference beam, the means for dividing the beam of the source being arranged in such a way that the measuring beam is converged on the cell.
Abstract:
Gold plated surfaces are inspected by means of reflected light in the wavelength range of 450 to 575 nanometers to give a sensitive indication of surface conditions. This test automates the visual inspection for "brown gold" and is advantageously used in continuous strip gold plating operations. The technique may be used as a quality control check or as a process control to correct non-optimum process parameters that lead to degradation of gold surface conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the reflected light from the surface being inspected is compared with light reflected from a reference surface. Alternately, a separate wavelength band, typically 700 to 800 nanometers, is reflected from the surface being inspected and compared to the reflected light in the 450 to 575 nanometer wavelength band.
Abstract:
An optical system for a spectroscopic analyzer. The system has a light source, a detector and a sample cell connected in a line, and in the sample cell or between the sample cell and one of the other elements is a light chopper device. The light chopper has a rotating element in the form of a disc-shaped member or members which periodically block light from the light source and pass light during the times it is not blocked. The rotating element is driven by a motor on the outside of the structure.
Abstract:
A three ingredient mixture is eradiated with light rays of two separate wave lengths selected at which the absorption spectra of at least two of the materials of the mixture intersect. The light rays passing through the materials are detected and separated electrically so that they are processed with coefficients determined from ratios involving the absorption of at least two of the materials, so that the difference in the signals so obtained is quantitatively correlated to only one of the materials in the mixture.
Abstract:
A multispectral imaging and analysis system incorporating the use of charge coupled devices or linear arrays of detectors and which is designed to permit on-board analysis of data in real time is disclosed. An imaging system including several arrays of charge coupled devices or linear detector arrays are used to obtain simultaneously spectral reflectance data of different wavelengths for a target area. A plurality of filters each accommodating a particular bandwidth are individually associated with each array. Data from the arrays are read out in parallel and applied to a computer or micro-processor for processing. The micro-processor serves to analyze the data in real time and as may be possible in accordance with hard-wired algorithms. The data are then displayed as an image on an appropriate display unit and also recorded for further use. The display system may be operationally connected to receive a terrain image such that the target area and the analyzed spectral reflectance data are superimposed and simultaneously displayed.
Abstract:
A tristimulus colorimeter employs a multiplexed dual slope integrator digital voltmeter wherein unknown and reference light beams are compared by sequentially applying unknown and reference electrical signals representative of the two respective light beams to the non-inverting and inverting inputs, respectively, of the integrator amplifier. Moreover, a compensating circuit provides for compensation of the colorimeter output signals with respect to reflectance error encountered in the optics portion of the colorimeter.
Abstract:
A two-flame burner is used in a flame photometric detector for analyzing a sample material. The sample material is introduced via a first conduit structure into a hydrogen-rich first flame, and the combustion products and excess hydrogen from the first flame are passed via a second conduit structure into an oxygen-containing environment. A second flame is maintained at the exit end of the second conduit structure. The first and second conduit structures are composed of material that does not contribute to the coloration of the second flame during operation of the detector. Particular constituents of the sample material are detected by observing the presence of colors in the second flame indicative of the constituents. For example, the presence of sulfur is indicated by a blue coloration, and the presence of phosphorus is indicated by a green coloration. The presence of nitrogen is indicated by a coloration of the second flame resulting from a chemiluminescent molecular recombination of nitric oxide and oxygen atoms to form nitrogen dioxide molecules. The presence of any hydrocarbon can be indicated by a flame coloration resulting from a chemical reaction indicative of elemental carbon.
Abstract:
An optical sensor has a collecting lens, filters and detectors. The colleng lens is fabricated from a single piece of optical material and has a truncated conical surface, an input surface adjacent the wide end of the truncated conical surface and an output surface adjacent the narrow end of the truncated conical surface. A plurality of detectors is positioned proximate the output surface and a filter, which allows the passage only of radiation of a predetermined band of wave lengths is positioned between each of the detectors and the output surface. When radiation is incident on the input surface, it is passed through the filters to the detectors. The resultant detected optical signals are translated into electrical signals which are compared to discriminate between a radiating source or sources having the desired spectral characteristics and a source or sources having undesired spectral characteristics. The result of the comparison is an output signal indicative of the presence of the desired radiation. This signal is then applied to a utilization circuit which may include an alarm, a recorder or a fire-control system.
Abstract:
A rotating gas cell structure, intended for use in nondispersive electro-optical measurement equipment, includes at least a pair of chambers that, by virtue of rotation of the structure, are alternately inserted into a beam of radiant energy. The chambers contain a quantity of gas of the species to be analyzed at different pressure values. When used in a nondispersive radiant energy gas analyzer, the rotating cell will modulate the radiant energy in a way that permits a sensitive and accurate evaluation of a particular gas in a sample region. If desired the cell structure can include a built-in chopper to improve gas detection performance. In an alternate embodiment one of the chambers can be replaced by a radiant energy attenuator. Gas filling and sealing means for the cell chambers are disclosed.
Abstract:
In the quantitative measurement of one of plural components contained in a specimen, three kinds of light wavelengths are used to eliminate the influence of two components except one to be measured. The outputs with respect to the three kinds of wavelengths are converted to the corresponding electric signals, which are in turn subjected to the logarithmic conversion. One output with respect to one of the three kinds of wavelengths is inverted in polarity and the polarity-inverted output is then combined with the other outputs so that the relationship between the light absorption quantity and the wavelength, concerning the component to be measured, can be obtained with the result that the quantity of the component in the specimen can be determined.