Abstract:
The sensitivity of capillary flow cells such as described in the European patent application nr. 90200691.5 has been substantially improved by optimizing the alignment of the longitudinal section (middle part) of the bent fused silica capillary, by increasing the aperture ratio (flow cell diameter/flow cell length) and by making use of fiber optics for light beam guiding and enhancing the light propagation through the capillary flow cell. These improvements can be applied to any type of longitudinal flow cells including "Z" and "U" shaped capillary flow cells (Figure 1). The alignment of the middle part [2] of the bent fused silica capillary [3,4] is no longer parallel to the optical axes but shows a deviation by angle ψ - (Figure 2). This angle is of the same value as the angle by which the light beam is refracted during its entrance into the capillary glass tubing and, therefore, compensates for loss in refracted light. With aperture ratios (dc/Ic) of typically 1/260 the ratios are to far away from their optimum values of 1/10 to 1/5 and result in high noise levels. By adapting the ratios to values closer to the optimum (e.g. 1/40) noise levels can be reduced substantially. The use of fiber optics [6] allows for optimal light beam guiding to and from the capillary flow cell and increases the light throughput (Figure 3). Further it allows for placing the flow cell (sensing region) in distance to the detection device. This invention relates to a capillary flow cell for use in microseparation techniques such as capillary liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, capillary electroseparations (e.g., capillary zone electrophoresis, micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography, electrochromatography) and related techniques and to a method for manufacturing capillary flow cells of improved sensitivity.
Abstract:
An optical sensor (102) includes a sensor head (112; 304) that has an optical window (312, 314) for directing light into a flow of fluid and/or receiving optical energy from the fluid. The optical sensor (102) also includes a flow chamber (110) that includes a housing defining a cavity (356) for receiving the sensor head (112; 304). In some examples, the flow chamber (110) includes an inlet port (352) defining a flow nozzle that is configured to direct fluid entering the flow chamber (110) against the optical window (312, 314) of the sensor head (112; 304). In operation, the force of the incoming fluid impacting the optical window (312, 314) may prevent fouling materials from accumulating on the optical window (312, 314).
Abstract:
An optical sensor (102) includes a sensor head (112; 304) that has an optical window (312, 314) for directing light into a flow of fluid and/or receiving optical energy from the fluid. The optical sensor (102) also includes a flow chamber (110) that includes a housing defining a cavity (356) for receiving the sensor head (112; 304). In some examples, the flow chamber (110) includes an inlet port (352) defining a flow nozzle that is configured to direct fluid entering the flow chamber (110) against the optical window (312, 314) of the sensor head (112; 304). In operation, the force of the incoming fluid impacting the optical window (312, 314) may prevent fouling materials from accumulating on the optical window (312, 314).
Abstract:
An apparatus (100) and method for an alignment cell (108) are described herein. One apparatus includes a delivery fiber (112, 212, 312) and a delivery lens (232, 332) coupled to an optical bench (104), a mirror (234, 334) to receive light from the delivery fiber (112, 212, 312) through the delivery lens (232, 332) , wherein the received light is directed by the mirror (234, 334) to an ion trap (236, 336) on the trap surface, and a collection fiber (116, 216, 316) coupled to the optical bench (104) to receive light fluoresced from an ion in the ion trap (236, 336).
Abstract:
A turbidity sensor for underwater measurements is provided with a watertight housing, a light emitting diode, a first light focusing device for focusing a light emitted from the diode and passing the focused light into to-be-measured water, a second light focusing device for collecting at least one scattered light resulted form the focused light when passing the water, a photodiode for receiving the collected light thereby generating electronic signals, and an electronic board for processing the electronic signals.
Abstract:
An apparatus (100) and method for an alignment cell (108) are described herein. One apparatus includes a delivery fiber (112, 212, 312) and a delivery lens (232, 332) coupled to an optical bench (104), a mirror (234, 334) to receive light from the delivery fiber (112, 212, 312) through the delivery lens (232, 332) , wherein the received light is directed by the mirror (234, 334) to an ion trap (236, 336) on the trap surface, and a collection fiber (116, 216, 316) coupled to the optical bench (104) to receive light fluoresced from an ion in the ion trap (236, 336).
Abstract:
An optical sensor (102) includes a sensor head (112; 304) that has an optical window (312, 314) for directing light into a flow of fluid and/or receiving optical energy from the fluid. The optical sensor (102) also includes a flow chamber (110) that includes a housing defining a cavity (356) for receiving the sensor head (112; 304). In some examples, the flow chamber (110) includes an inlet port (352) defining a flow nozzle that is configured to direct fluid entering the flow chamber (110) against the optical window (312, 314) of the sensor head (112; 304). In operation, the force of the incoming fluid impacting the optical window (312, 314) may prevent fouling materials from accumulating on the optical window (312, 314).
Abstract:
Devices, methods and systems for making optical measurements of a fluid at elevated pressures and temperatures are disclosed. A cell is designed for the optical spectroscopic measurements of fluids or gas using light from ultra violet (UV) to far infrared wavelengths, among other wavelengths. A cell is described that is well suited for applications using very small fluid volumes, on the order of micro liters, such as microfluidic systems. Some described embodiments are suited for very high pressure and temperature environments (for example, 20 kpsi or greater at 175 degree C. or greater). Such conditions, for example, may be found in oilfield downhole environments. Some embodiments provide are inexpensive, and make use of replaceable lenses that are used as a pressure barrier and for collimation of the optical beam path for spectroscopic measurements.