摘要:
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.
摘要:
A laser source for generating amplified and filtered optical output, comprising a VCSEL, a power optical amplifier, and a filter. A laser source for generating amplified and filtered optical output, comprising a first mirror and a second mirror forming a cavity, an optical amplifier disposed in the cavity, and filter means for filtering ASE generated and amplified by the optical amplifier. A system for generating amplified and filtered optical output, comprising an optical platform having electrical connections and a fiber optic connection, a VCSEL configured to generate seed light, an optical amplifier configured to receive and amplify seed light to generate power boosted ASE and a filter configured to reduce background noise from the power boosted ASE. A method of generating optical output having high optical power with high spectral fidelity, comprising generating seed light, amplifying seed light, and filtering the amplified optical output to reduce background noise.
摘要:
An optical bandwidth source for generating amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) across a selected wavelength range, the optical bandwidth source including a waveguide having a first end and a second end, and comprising a plurality of separate wavelength gain subsections arranged in a serial configuration between the first end and the second end so as to collectively form an active waveguide between the first end and the second end; wherein each of the wavelength gain subsections is configured to produce ASE across a wavelength range which is less than, but contained within, the selected wavelength range, whereby the plurality of separate wavelength gain subsections collectively produce ASE across the selected wavelength range.
摘要:
A compact, lightweight, portable optical assembly comprising: a platform; and a plurality of optical elements mounted to the platform; wherein the plurality of optical elements are optically connected to one another with free-space couplings so as to form an optical circuit; and further wherein the platform is sufficiently mechanically robust so as to maintain the free-space optical coupling between the various optical elements. A method for making a compact, lightweight, portable optical assembly, comprising: providing a platform; and mounting a plurality of optical elements to the platform; wherein the plurality of optical elements are mounted to the platform so that they are optically connected to one another with free-space couplings so as to form an optical circuit; and further wherein the platform is sufficiently mechanically robust so as to maintain the free-space optical coupling between the various optical elements.
摘要:
A laser package comprising a semiconductor laser having an operating temperature range and a heater, wherein the heater is configured to heat the laser when the laser package is positioned in an environment having an ambient temperature which lies outside of the operating temperature range of the laser, so that the laser will remain within the operating temperature range.
摘要:
An optical isolator for transmitting light in a first direction along an optical pathway and blocking light in a second direction along an optical pathway. The optical isolator includes an input polarizer having a pass axis at a first angle, an output polarizer having a pass axis at a second angle, a Faraday rotator material between the polarizers having a Verdet constant and an axis of maximum length therethrough, generation means for generating a magnetic field around and inside the rotator material, and at least one reflector configured to define an optical length through the rotator material which is longer than the axis therethrough. The optical pathway length through the rotator material, the magnetic field strength, and the Verdet constant are selected so as to rotate light through the Faraday rotator material from the first angle to the second angle.
摘要:
In another form of the present invention, there is provided a Raman probe comprising: a first optical fiber for receiving laser excitation light from a light source and transmitting the same; a first filter for receiving light from the first optical fiber and adapted to pass the laser excitation light and to block spurious signals associated with the light; a second filter for receiving light from the first filter and adapted to direct the light toward the specimen; focusing apparatus for receiving the light from the second filter, focusing the light on a specimen so as to generate the Raman signal, and returning the Raman signal to the second filter; wherein the second filter is further configured so that when the second filter receives the Raman signal from the focusing apparatus, the second filter filters out unwanted laser excitation light before directing the Raman signal to a second optical fiber; and a second optical fiber for receiving the Raman signal from the second filter and transmitting the same to a light analyzer. In another form of the present invention, there is provided a Raman probe comprising: a light source for generating laser excitation light; focusing apparatus for receiving the laser excitation light from the light source, focusing the laser excitation light on a specimen so as to generate the Raman signal, and returning the Raman signal to a light analyzer; and a light analyzer for analyzing the Raman signature of the specimen, whereby to identify the specimen; wherein the focusing apparatus is configured to permit the specimen to reside in a vial receptacle or at a target location remote from the vial receptacle. In another form of the present invention, there is provided a method for conducting Raman spectroscopy of a specimen, comprising: generating laser excitation light using a light source; passing the laser excitation light through a first filter so as to block spurious signals associated with the light; passing the laser excitation light through a second filter so as to direct the light toward the specimen; receiving the light from the second filter, focusing the light on a specimen so as to generate the Raman signal, and returning the Raman signal to the second filter; wherein the second filter is further configured so that when the second filter receives the Raman signal from the specimen, the second filter filters out unwanted laser excitation light; passing the filtered light received from the second filter to a light analyzer; and analyzing the Raman signature of the specimen so as to identify the specimen. In another form of the present invention, there is provided a Raman probe comprising: a housing; a light source disposed within the housing for generating laser excitation light; focusing apparatus disposed within the housing for receiving the laser excitation light from the light source, focusing the laser excitation light on a specimen so as to generate the Raman signal, and returning the Raman signal to a light analyzer; and a light analyzer disposed within the housing for analyzing the Raman signature of the specimen, whereby to identify the specimen; wherein the focusing apparatus is configured to permit the specimen to reside at a target location remote from the housing; and further comprising an optical shield mounted to the housing so as to be disposed between the specimen and the user, whereby to optically shield the user from the light source. In another form of the present invention, there is provided a Raman probe comprising: a housing; a light source disposed within the housing for generating laser excitation light; focusing apparatus disposed within the housing for receiving the laser excitation light from the light source, focusing the laser excitation light on a specimen so as to generate the Raman signal, and returning the Raman signal to a light analyzer; and a light analyzer disposed within the housing for analyzing the Raman signature of the specimen, whereby to identify the specimen; wherein the focusing apparatus is configured to permit the specimen to reside at a target location remote from the housing; and further comprising a camera mounted to the housing so that its field of view encompasses the target location, and a display mounted to the housing for displaying the image captured by the camera, whereby to permit the user to position the probe relative to the specimen while watching the display.
摘要:
Disclosed herein are Raman probes that include: (a) a first optical fiber for receiving laser excitation light from a light source and transmitting the same; (b) a first filter for receiving light from the first optical fiber and adapted to pass the laser excitation light and to block spurious signals associated with the light; (c) a second filter for receiving light from the first filter and adapted to direct the light toward a specimen; and (d) focusing apparatus for receiving the light from the second filter, focusing the light on the specimen so as to generate the Raman signal, and returning the Raman signal to the second filter. The second filter is further configured so that when the second filter receives the Raman signal from the focusing apparatus, the second filter filters out unwanted laser excitation light before directing the Raman signal to a second optical fiber.
摘要:
The invention is in the field of distributed Raman amplification for digital and analog transmission applications and other applications, e.g., instrumentation and imaging applications, including HFC-CATV applications. In particular, the invention uses a high power broadband source of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) as the Raman pump source for improved system performance. The invention also includes methods for constructing such a high-power broadband Raman pump.
摘要:
We disclose apparatus that includes: (a) an enclosure including an aperture; (b) a prism mounted in the enclosure so that a surface of the prism is exposed through the aperture; (c) an optical assembly contained within the enclosure, the optical assembly including a radiation source and a radiation detector, the source being configured to direct radiation towards the prism and the detector being configured to detect radiation from the source reflected from the exposed surface of the prism; and (d) an electronic processor contained within the enclosure, the electronic processor being in communication with the detector. The apparatus can be configured so that, during operation, the electronic processor determines information about a sample placed in contact with the exposed surface of the prism based on radiation reflected from the exposed prism surface while it is in contact with the sample.