Compact spectroscopic optical instrument
First Claim
1. An optical instrument, comprising:
- a housing;
a plate disposed within the housing and configured to secure optical components to either a top surface or a bottom surface of the plate;
a light source;
a detector;
at least one mirror secured to the plate and configured to direct light passing through at least one opening in the plate from the light source to a sample, and to direct light from the sample through the at least one opening in the plate to the detector;
a monochromator; and
a controller configured to communicate with the light source and the detector, wherein the at least one mirror comprises;
a first mirror secured to the bottom surface of the plate and configured to direct light from the light source to an input of the monochromator; and
a second mirror secured to the bottom surface of the plate and configured to direct light from an output of the monochromator through the at least one opening in the plate to one of the at least one mirror, the at least one mirror secured to the top surface of the plate.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical instrument for spectroscopy applications includes a compact arrangement having a three-dimensional folded optical path. A plate configured as an optical reference plane is secured to a housing and is configured to secure optical components above or below the plate. A modular light source module may be secured within the housing without fasteners. A monochromator and spectrometer are secured below the plate. Mirrors disposed above the plate are configured to direct light from the monochromator passing through a first opening in the plate through a sample disposed above the plate, and to direct light from the sample through a second opening in the plate to the spectrometer. A controller is configured for communication with the monochromator and the spectrometer. The controller may control an entrance slit actuator for the spectrometer and positioning of an aperture upstream of the spectrometer to adjust resolution and throughput.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An optical instrument, comprising:
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a housing; a plate disposed within the housing and configured to secure optical components to either a top surface or a bottom surface of the plate; a light source; a detector; at least one mirror secured to the plate and configured to direct light passing through at least one opening in the plate from the light source to a sample, and to direct light from the sample through the at least one opening in the plate to the detector; a monochromator; and
a controller configured to communicate with the light source and the detector, wherein the at least one mirror comprises;a first mirror secured to the bottom surface of the plate and configured to direct light from the light source to an input of the monochromator; and a second mirror secured to the bottom surface of the plate and configured to direct light from an output of the monochromator through the at least one opening in the plate to one of the at least one mirror, the at least one mirror secured to the top surface of the plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An optical instrument comprising:
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a housing having a plate configured as an optical reference plane for one or more optical components of the optical instrument and configured to secure optical components above or below the plate; a light source disposed in the housing below the plate; a monochromator disposed below the plate and secured to the plate; a spectrometer having a fixed concave grating, the spectrometer disposed below the plate and secured to the plate; one or more mirrors disposed above the plate, secured to the plate, and configured to direct light from the monochromator passing through a first opening in the plate through a sample disposed above the plate, and to direct light from the sample through a second opening in the plate to the spectrometer; and a controller configured for communication with the monochromator and the spectrometer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An optical instrument comprising:
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a plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first optical component secured to either the first surface or the second surface of the plate; a second optical component secured to an opposite one of the first and second surfaces of the plate relative to the first optical component, wherein the second optical component comprises at least one of a light source, a detector, a monochromator, and a spectrometer; at least one mirror secured to the same surface of the plate as the second optical component and configured to direct light from the second optical component through a first opening in the plate; and at least one mirror secured to the same surface of the plate as the first optical component and configured to direct light from the first opening in the plate to the first optical component, and to direct light from the first optical component through a second opening in the plate.
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Specification