Handheld FT-IR spectrometer

• US 20080204757A1
• Filed: 08/16/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Christopher Manning
• Original Assignee: Christopher Manning
• Inventors: Manning, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US11/893,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20080204757A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/451
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0229 using masks, aperture plates, spatial light modulators or spatial filters, e.g. reflective filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0256 Compact construction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0286 Constructional arrangements for compensating for fluctuations caused by temperature, humidity or pressure, or using cooling or temperature stabilization of parts of the device; Controlling the atmosphere inside a spectrometer, e.g. vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0289 Field-of-view determination; Aiming or pointing of a spectrometer; Adjusting alignment; Encoding angular position; Size of measurement area; Position tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/4532 Devices of compact or symmetric construction G01J3/4531 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/1704 in gases
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/3595 using FTIR
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/1702 with opto-acoustic detection, e.g. for gases or analysing solids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0221 Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held

Abstract

Novel spectrometer arrangements are described. They may employ a resin-based preconcentration system to sample chemical vapors. A field-widened interferometer modulates radiant energy. The signal generated by the interaction of the radiant energy with the sample is detected and processed by a computer. A variety of enhancements to the basic design are described, providing a family of related spectrometer designs. These spectrometers have applications in spectrometry, spectral imaging and metrology.

Claims

1. A spectrometer, comprising:

a source of a beam of radiant energy;

an interferometer for modulating the beam of radiant energy;

a scanning drive for the interferometer;

a resin preconcentrator system;

a chamber for interacting the modulated radiant energy with a sample;

a pressure detecting sensor;

a control, data acquisition and processing electronic system;

2. A spectrometer, comprising:

a source of a beam of radiant energy;

an interferometer for modulating the beam of radiant energy;

said interferometer being field widened;

said interferometer having a an aperture of less than 2 inches;

a detector;

a control, data acquisition and processing electronic system;

a system weight less than 4 pounds;

an system volume less than 2 liters;