Abstract:
Line spectra and background energy superimposed thereon is alternately positioned ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' a slit. During the ''''off'''' period only background energy is positioned on the slit. Measuring and reference capacitors associated with photomultipliers, integrate the signal in such a manner that long time constant background energy is canceled. Short time constant background energy is canceled by detecting the polarity of the residual charge on the reference capacitor and by integrating, on each measuring capacitor, a signal representing the opposite polarity of the detected charge. In consequence, the residual charge on each of the measuring capacitors is driven to zero.
Abstract:
OPTICAL SPECTROMETERS CURRENTLY EMPLOY PHOTODETECTING DEVICES TO CHARGE CAPACITOR IN MEASURING THE INTENSITY OF MONITORED LINE SPECTRA. THE RADIANT ENERGY FALLING UPON THE PHOTODETECTORS, IN ADDITION TO THE SPECTRAL LINE OF INTEREST ALSO INCLUDES BACKGROUND ENERGY WHICH IS THE BANDSPECTRA SUPERIMPOSED ON THE LINE SPECTRA. THE BACKGROUND AMOUNTS TO NOISE AND ADVERSELY AFFECTS THE ACCURACY OF THE INSTRUMENT. THIS INVENTION INVOLVES THE ELIMINATION OF THE BACKGROUND NOISE BY OSCILLATING THE LINE SPECTRA ACROSS THE SLIP AND SEQUENTIALLY CHARGING AND DISCHARGING THE MEASURING CAPACI-
TORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PHOTODETECTORS TO AVERAGE OUT THE BACKGROUND NOISE.