Abstract:
A Raman probe assembly for analyzing a specimen, comprising: 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 Raman probe assembly for analyzing a specimen, comprising: a light source for generating laser excitation light; a camera for capturing an image; a light analyzer for analyzing a Raman signature; a first light path for delivering the laser excitation light from the light source to the specimen so as to produce the Raman signature for the specimen; a second light path for capturing an image of the specimen and directing that image to the camera; a third light path for directing the Raman signature of the specimen to the light analyzer; wherein the a least a portion of the first light path, the second light path and the third light path are coaxial with one another. A Raman probe assembly for analyzing a specimen, comprising: a light source for generating laser excitation light; a light analyzer for analyzing a Raman signature; 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, and (ii) directing the Raman signature of the specimen to the light analyzer; wherein the assembly further comprises a probe body for housing the at least a portion of the light path, and a window, with the light path extending through the window; and further wherein the probe body further comprises a shutter/wiper disposed adjacent to the window. A Raman probe assembly for analyzing a specimen, comprising: a light source for generating laser excitation light; a light analyzer for analyzing a Raman signature; 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, and (ii) directing the Raman signature of the specimen to the light analyzer; and wherein the light analyzer comprises a transmitter for transmitting information using an Internet Web protocol. A method for identifying the nature of a specimen, the method comprising: providing a Raman probe assembly comprising: a light source for generating laser excitation light; a camera for capturing an image; a light analyzer for analyzing a Raman signature; 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 wherein the assembly further comprises a probe body for housing the at least a portion of the light path, and a window, with the light path extending through the window; wherein the probe body further comprises a shutter/wiper disposed adjacent to the window; wherein the assembly is carried by a remote controlled robot; providing a base station for receiving the image, and for remotely controlling the robot, and for receiving information from the light analyzer; navigating the remote control robot from the base station to a position adjacent to the specimen; opening the shutter/wiper; using the camera to aim the probe body at the specimen; energizing the light source so that the laser excitation light is directed at the specimen; and analyzing the return light passed to the light analyzer so as to determine of the nature of the specimen.
Abstract:
Noxious emissions present in the exhaust gases of an internal-combustion engine of a motor vehicle are controlled by making use of an IR spectrophotometer provided on board the motor vehicle, for the purpose of obtaining an analysis of all the main components of the exhaust gases of the engine. The IR spectrophotometer is of the type with electrostatic micro-shutters so as to present overall dimensions designed to enable its use on board the motor vehicle.
Abstract:
A spectrometer system includes a thermal light source for illuminating a sample, where the thermal light source includes a filament that emits light when heated. The system additionally includes a spectrograph for measuring a light spectrum from the sample and an electrical circuit for supplying electrical current to the filament to heat the filament and for controlling a resistance of the filament. The electrical circuit includes a power supply that supplies current to the filament, first electrical components that sense a current through the filament, second electrical components that sense a voltage drop across the filament, third electrical components that compare a ratio of the sensed voltage drop and the sensed current with a predetermined value, and fourth electrical components that control the current through the filament or the voltage drop across the filament to cause the ratio to equal substantially the predetermined value.
Abstract:
Light from an object moving through an imaging system is collected, dispersed, and imaged onto a time delay integration (TDI) detector that is inclined relative to an axis of motion of the object, producing a pixilated output signal. In one embodiment, the movement of the image object over the TDI detector is asynchronous with the movement of the output signal producing an output signal that is a composite of the image of the object at varying focal point along the focal plane. In another embodiment, light from the object is periodically incident on the inclined TDI detector, producing a plurality of spaced apart images and corresponding output signals that propagate across the TDI detector. The inclined plane enables images of FISH probes or other components within an object to be produced at different focal points, so that the 3D spatial relationship between the FISH probes or components can be resolved.
Abstract:
A body component concentration measuring apparatus, and method, for measuring a concentration of a body component in a measuring portion of a living body, includes a light source for emitting light, a diffraction grating being movable to disperse light emitted from the light source into light components having a plurality of wavelength bands, a shutter for controlling transmission of the light components having the plurality of wavelength bands, a lens for focusing the light components passing the shutter onto the measuring portion, and a detector for detecting the light components passing through the measuring portion.
Abstract:
A light source for use in a spectrometer. A reflector is formed with a parabolic holed formed therein. A light emitting diode is placed in the parabolic hole. In the case where multiple LEDs are used in the light source, central axis through each of the parabolic holes are aligned so as to coincide a predetermined location. With LEDs in the parabolic holes, the light emitted will be focused on the predetermined location.
Abstract:
An optic device with a variable operating mode comprises a micromirror which can be obscured by means of an electrostatically controlled microshutter. In the operating condition of the microshutter, the petal of this adheres over a substrate to allow a beam of light to reach the mirror. In the condition at rest, the petal is curled up and one of its surfaces receives the beam of light and reflects it in all directions, at the same time preventing this from reaching the mirror.
Abstract:
Encoded spatio-spectral information processing is performed using a system having a radiation source, wavelength dispersion device and two-dimensional switching array, such as digital micro-mirror array (DMA). In one aspect, spectral components from a sample are dispersed in space and modulated separately by the switching array, each element of which may operate according to a predetermined encoding pattern. The encoded spectral components can then be detected and analyzed. In a different aspect, the switching array can be used to provide a controllable radiation source for illuminating a sample with radiation patterns that have predetermined characteristics and separately encoded components. Various applications are disclosed.
Abstract:
A spectroscopy system is provided which is optimized for operation in the VUV region and capable of performing well in the DUV-NIR region. Additionally, the system incorporates an optical module which presents selectable sources and detectors optimized for use in the VUV and DUV-NIR. As well, the optical module provides common delivery and collection optics to enable measurements in both spectral regions to be collected using similar spot properties. The module also provides a means of quickly referencing measured data so as to ensure that highly repeatable results are achieved. The module further provides a controlled environment between the VUV source, sample chamber and VUV detector which acts to limit in a repeatable manner the absorption of VUV photons. The use of broad band data sets which encompass VUV wavelengths, in addition to the DUV-NIR wavelengths enables a greater variety of materials to be meaningfully characterized. Array based detection instrumentation may be exploited to permit the simultaneous collection of larger wavelength regions.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the spectrochemical analysis of a sample in which a solid state array detector (82) is used to detect radiation (62) of spectrochemical interest. The invention involves the use of a shutter (72) adjacent the entrance aperture (70) of a polychromator (74-80) to expose the detector (82) to the radiation (62) for varying lengths of time whereby for short duration exposure times charge accumulation in elements (i.e. pixels) of the detector (82) due to high intensity components of the radiation is limited and for longer exposure times charge accumulation in elements (pixels) of the detector (82) due to feeble intesity components of radiation (62) is increased. This ensures that each reading of the detector (82) includes at least one exposure in which the amount of charge accumulated at each wavelength of interest is neither too little or too great. The problems of feeble radiation components not being accurately measurable and of high intensity radiation components exceeding the charge carrying capacity of elements (pixels) of the detector (82) are thereby able to be avoided. An attenuator (90) may be placed between the radiation source (60) and the detector (82) to permit longer exposure times to be used for very high intensity radiation.