Abstract:
A system for calibrating a sensor in a vehicle, such as a space capsule or another space borne apparatus, uses an expandable integrating sphere. A sensor in the vehicle measures the energy from an electromagnetic energy source within the integrating sphere through a calibration window. The expandable fluid impermeable integrating sphere expands when filled with a fluid, such that when filled with the fluid, its interior is viewable through the calibration window. The system includes a source of fluid to fill the integrating sphere and a fluid regulator coupled to the vehicle to determine when to supply the fluid to the integrating sphere to maintain an appropriate gas pressure level with the integrating sphere.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a quantum dot based radiation source includes a housing having a wall defining a cavity therein, a plurality of quantum dots disposed on an inner surface of the wall of the housing, and a radiation excitation source in optical communication with the housing and configured to output radiation to excite the plurality of quantum dots to emit radiation in a desired wavelength range. The quantum dot based radiation source can be used in a calibration system or calibrator, for example to calibrate a detector.
Abstract:
A photometric device for investigating a sample, comprises an array of radiation sources that are spaced apart from one another, and which are operable to generate radiation that differs from that generated by the other radiation sources in the array. The device includes a lens arrangement for focusing the radiation at a region of space where a sample may be located for example by means of a sample holder, and at least one detector for receiving radiation from the region of space. Preferably, a number of detectors are employed that are spaced apart from one another, and especially about an axis of the device, so that one radiation detector can detect radiation transmitted by the sample and the other detectors can detect radiation scattered by it. The radiation sources may be time division multiplexed so that in each time slot the detectors receive radiation originating from each radiation source. In an alternative embodiment, the radiation from the region of space may be transmitted to the sample via a beam homogeniser, for example an optical waveguide in the form of an optical fibre, which may be used to reduce or remove speckle where laser diodes are employed as the radiation sources. The device may be used to determine the particle size distribution of particles in a sample by a method employing Bayesian inference.
Abstract:
A testing device (100) equipped with: a microchip (7) having a receiver (71) for a test fluid, a discharge lamp (1) which emits light into the microchip test fluid receiver (71), a light source housing (2) in which the discharge lamp (1) is located, and an arithmetic calculation mechanism (110), which calculates the concentration of the component to be detected, based on the intensity of the light emitted from the test fluid container unit (71). To reduce the size of the device and to shield the arithmetic calculation mechanism (110) from electromagnetic waves generated around the light source (1), the light source housing (2) is equipped with shielding (26) connected to the ground on the outside of the light source housing (20) made of insulating material. The light source housing (2,20) is positioned within an enclosure of the testing device holding the microchip (7) and containing the arithmetic calculation mechanism (110), analysis output device(s) (101), etc.
Abstract:
A mirror (3) is provided with a light source window (2) and an illumination window (4) each establishing communicative connection between an inner face side and an outer side of a hemispherical unit (1). The light source window (2) is an opening to which a light source (OBJ) to be measured is attached mainly. The illumination window (4) is an opening for guiding a flux of light from a correcting light source (9) used for measurement of self-absorption toward the inner face of the hemispherical unit (1). A self-absorption correcting coefficient of the light source (OBJ) is calculated based on an illuminance by a correcting flux of light in a case where the light source to be measured (OBJ) in a non-light emitting state is attached to the light source window (2) and an illuminance by a correcting flux of light in a case where a calibration mirror is attached to the light source window.
Abstract:
A chopped radiation source composed of a radiation source component, a chopping component and an optical fiber connector component. Each of these components is arranged within a housing in a manner such that the elements of each of these components will not move in an unintended manner during use.