Abstract:
A method for determining the concentration of individual solutes in a body of liquid, e.g., measuring contaminants in waste water. A sparging IR process is used, in which gas in the form of minute bubbles moves upwardly in a non-flowing body of liquid. The gas remove vaporized samples of the subject solutes and flows to a gas cell, where it is subjected to infrared spectrometer analysis. The true concentration of each subject solute is measured by plotting its concentration values against elapsed time, and then extrapolating back to time zero to determine the initial concentration of the solute. In addition, the rate of depletion is used to determine the ratio of vapor pressure to solubility of the solute. Replotting the original data using logarithm values can simplify the extrapolation.
Abstract:
A microscopic unit for a multi-station modular FTIR spectrometer system is disclosed. The microscope unit, which has a Cassegrain objective, not only provides the usual optical path for radiation during visual observation, and for infrared radiation in the transmission mode, but also provides a separate optical path for infrared radiation in the reflectance mode and in a macroscopic transmission mode. An optical switching wheel is in the path of entering radiation, which may enter through any of three ports; and the wheel is movable into a plurality of alternative positions, including a position in which radiation entering through one port passes through the wheel toward the objective, a position in which radiation entering through the same port is reflected by a wheel-carried mirror along the separate optical path, a position in which a wheel-carried mirror causes radiation to bypass the microscope, and positions in which other wheel-carried mirrors reflect into the microscope radiation entering through other ports.
Abstract:
A reflectance/transmittance structure is disclosed, which is adapted to be used in a microscope (primarily for infrared radiation) of a type disclosed in previous common inventor/common assignee applications. Radiation is passed through a Cassegrain objective lens on its way to the sample. It is reflected by a spherical mirror toward a flat mirror, then back to the spherical mirror, and then back through the sample on its way back to the Cassegrain objective lens. This arrangement permits retention of both the redundant aperturing and the injection mirror features of prior patent applications.
Abstract:
An optical apparatus is disclosed which monitors the thickness of a thin film carried by a reflecting substrate. In order to minimize light detection problems caused by inadvertent displacement of the substrate, the light source and detector are located on the same "side" of the optical apparatus, and retro-reflector means are located at the other "side" of the optical apparatus, so that the light is reflected from the substrate to the retro-reflector means, back to the substrate, and thence back to the detector. In the preferred embodiment, the retro-reflector means comprises an array of small retro-reflectors.
Abstract:
An interferometer is disclosed, preferably of the Michelson type, in which the reflectors associated with the interferometer arms are stationary, and scanning is accomplished by motion of a wedge-shaped refractive element in one of the arms, the orientation of the refractive element and its direction of motion being in specific mathematically derived directions which minimize the translatory displacement of the transmitted optical beam.
Abstract:
A probe for use in Raman spectroscopy that can be inserted into a chemical vessel through a small diameter fitting while maximizing the amount of Raman shifted radiation collected and minimizing spurious effects.
Abstract:
A probe for use in Raman spectroscopy that can be inserted into a chemical vessel through a small diameter fitting while maximizing the amount of Raman shifted radiation collected and minimizing spurious effects.
Abstract:
The invention is an optical switching device having a switching element which, in one aspect is a solid switching body to reduce beam spread, in a second aspect is trapezoidal in cross-section so that the optical channels selectively connected by the switching body are conveniently located on one side of the device, and in a third aspect is a retroreflective switching element that eliminates the need to achieve and maintain precise angular alignment between the switching body and the optical axes of the optical channels connected by the switching device.
Abstract:
A spectrmeter radiation transmission system is disclosed which permits concurrent availability of numerous alternative accessory devices by conserving radiation throughput. Parabolic reflectors are used to provide alternating collimated and confocal segments of radiation, thereby largely eliminating the problem of vignetting (i.e., loss of radiation throughput due to beam size expansion). Modular enclosure elements are provided, inside which the radiation path travels between the parabolic reflectors.
Abstract:
An interferometer structure is disclosed which has an integrated central mirror unit, which constitutes an integrated alignment unit permitting complete prealignment before the unit is incorporated into the interferometer. The integrated unit carries the beamsplitter and two folding mirrors. Alignment is accomplished by adjusting the positions of the two folding mirrors around vertical and horizontal axes. Both the stationary mirror and the movable mirror, which control the radiation path lengths in the two interferometer arms, are retroreflectors. Because of the folding miirror effect, resolution of the interferometer spectrometer system is significantly enhanced.