Abstract:
A method and apparatus for characterizing and screening an array of material samples is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sample block having a plurality of regions for containing the material samples, a polarized light source to illuminate the materials, an analyzer having a polarization direction different than the polarization direction of the polarized light source, and a detector for analyzing changes in the intensity of the light beams. The light source, together with a polarizer, may include a plurality of light beams to simultaneously illuminate the entire array of materials with linearly polarized light so that characterization and screening can be performed in parallel. In addition, the materials in the sample block maybe subjected to different environmental conditions or mechanical stresses, and the detector analyzes the array as a function of the different environmental conditions or mechanical stresses.
Abstract:
A spectroscopic system for the analysis of small quantities of substances makes use for the purposes of energy transfer of cone-shaped aperture changers which are arranged in the object zone between the light source and the sample and, during absorption measurements, also between the sample and the inlet slot of a spectrometer. A microcell system is provided in the object space. The microcell system comprises a cylindrical cell tube with a hollow core for receiving a sample liquid. The cell tube and the sample liquid being adjustable with respect to the refractive index such that they act as a step waveguide for radiation, the sample liquid forming the core and the wall of the cell tube forming the sheath of the step waveguide.
Abstract:
A spectroscopic system for the analysis of small and very small quantities of substances makes use for the purposes of energy transfer of cone-shaped aperture changers (14, 15) which are arranged in the object zone (8) between the light source (L) and the sample (9) and, during absorption measurements, also between the sample (9) and the inlet slot (3) of a spectrometer (1). If the form used is a double cone, the aperture changers (14, 15) facilitate an oblique coupling in a capillary tube accepting the sample (9) which acts as a step-waveguide for the coupled radiation.
Abstract:
An optical transmission spectrometer for transmission measurements of absorbing and scattering samples includes light sources mounted parallel to each other in a holder. The beams of light emanating from the light sources are directed through a beam-combiner. The beam-combiner includes a first refractive surface at an angle of incidence of 45.degree.. The first refractive surface refracts light toward a common axis. The beam-combiner includes a second refractive surface parallel to the first refractive surface for refracting the beam of light along a common axis parallel to the original direction of the beam of light. The beam-combiner can include additional refractive surfaces for other beams of light to combine the beams of light into a primary beam. The spectrometer includes a collimating tube extending along the common axis for baffling stray light and directing the primary beam through a sample. A second collimating tube is provided on the side of the sample opposite the first collimating tube for baffling stray light passing through the sample. The second collimating tube directs the primary beam to a detector package mounted in a holder, where the detector viewing area of the sample is limited to that of the primary beam. As an alternative, an optic which is capable of directing multiple light beams onto a common intersection point may be used in place of the previously mentioned beam-combiner. Unlike the beam-combiner which closely aligns multiple parallel light beams and transmits them as substantially a single beam along the common axis, the alternate optical directs multiple light beams at an angle onto a common intersection point. The optic is fabricated from translucent material with first and second refractive surfaces for receiving light beams from a source and refracting the light beams toward the common intersection point.
Abstract:
The invention relates to apparatus for detecting water-based residues in translucent bottles, in which energy in two parts of the spectrum in and near the infra-red region, in one of which parts (0.8 to 0.9 microns) water is relatively transparent and the other of which parts (1.2 to 1.6 microns) water is more strongly absorbent is transmitted through a bottle, and the intensities of the emergent energies in the two parts are separately measured by a silicon detector and a germanium detector, associated with respective collimator tubes and filters, and are compared to produce a signal indicative of the presence of water in the bottle.
Abstract:
A system for optical imaging of a thick specimen that permits rapid acquisition of data necessary for tomographic reconstruction of the three-dimensional (3D) image. One method involves the scanning of the focal plane of an imaging system and integrating the range of focal planes onto a detector. The focal plane of an optical imaging system is scanned along the axis perpendicular to said plane through the thickness of a specimen during a single detector exposure. Secondly, methods for reducing light scatter when using illumination point sources are presented. Both approaches yield shadowgrams. This process is repeated from multiple perspectives, either in series using a single illumination/detection subsystem, or in parallel using several illumination/detection subsystems. A set of pseudo-projections is generated, which are input to a three dimensional tomographic image reconstruction algorithm.
Abstract:
A unit for measurement of absorbance using a microchip has a microchip with a continuous cavity, a sample chamber, a reagent chamber, a reagent mixing chamber and a chamber for measuring absorbance, which is arranged in a straight line in the area of the continuous cavity. The microchip is located in a chip holder which has a capillary part which is arranged such that the light used to measure absorbance is delivered through the capillary part to the chamber for measuring absorbance, the capillary part having a smaller opening diameter than the diameter of the cross section which is perpendicular to the optical axis of the chamber for measuring absorbance.