Filter indexing for spectrophotometer system
First Claim
1. A spectrophotometer system comprising a first radiant energy source and a second radiant energy source for generating a beam of radiant energy, an optical system for transmitting the beam of radiant energy at preselected wavelengths through a sample cell and onto a detector, the combination further comprising:
- a filter tray movably mounted for movement along a path, said filter tray including control means for selecting the source of radiant energy to be transmitted depending on the position occupied by said tray;
a plurality of filters positioned in said tray for movement through the beam of radiant energy as said filter tray is moved along said path, said filters being positioned on said tray for independent presentation in said beam;
stepper means for indexing said tray in discrete steps along said path andmicrocomputer means for controlling said optical system for successively changing the wavelength of the beam of radiant energy over a predetermined spectral range, and said microcomputer means including means for selecting any limited wavelength range to scan within the larger spectral range of the system, said microcomputer means being connected to said stepper means for indexing said tray a plurality of steps for moving a select filter into the radiant energy beam and for selecting the source of radiant energy at only predetermined wavelengths of said spectral range, said microcomputer means being caused to discontinue changing said wavelength during indexing of said tray.
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Abstract
A spectrophotometer system has an optical system for transmitting a beam from a source at select wavelengths onto a detector. A plurality of filters are positioned in a tray. A stepper mechanism indexes the tray along a path. A microcomputer controls the stepper mechanism and the optical system. The wavelength is successively changed over a range, the tray is indexed to move a select filter into the beam at a predetermined wavelength and the changing is discontinued during indexing.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A spectrophotometer system comprising a first radiant energy source and a second radiant energy source for generating a beam of radiant energy, an optical system for transmitting the beam of radiant energy at preselected wavelengths through a sample cell and onto a detector, the combination further comprising:
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a filter tray movably mounted for movement along a path, said filter tray including control means for selecting the source of radiant energy to be transmitted depending on the position occupied by said tray; a plurality of filters positioned in said tray for movement through the beam of radiant energy as said filter tray is moved along said path, said filters being positioned on said tray for independent presentation in said beam; stepper means for indexing said tray in discrete steps along said path and microcomputer means for controlling said optical system for successively changing the wavelength of the beam of radiant energy over a predetermined spectral range, and said microcomputer means including means for selecting any limited wavelength range to scan within the larger spectral range of the system, said microcomputer means being connected to said stepper means for indexing said tray a plurality of steps for moving a select filter into the radiant energy beam and for selecting the source of radiant energy at only predetermined wavelengths of said spectral range, said microcomputer means being caused to discontinue changing said wavelength during indexing of said tray. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8)
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6. A spectrophotometer system comprising:
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first and second source means for generating a radiant energy beam; filter means comprising at least a first filter and a second filter, a filter and source changer for independently presenting a separate one of said first and second filters to a position for filtering said radiant energy beam and for selecting one of said first and second source means for generating a radiant energy beam; an optical system including a diffraction means for receiving said radiant energy beam and for generating monochromatic radiant energy, said optical system responsive to a wavelength control signal for sequencing the wavelength of said monochromatic radiant energy over a predetermined spectral range; detection means positioned for receiving said radiant energy transmitted by said optical system and responsively producing a sample signal; recorder means for recording information carried by said sample signal for generating a record of the results computed from the response of said detection means; and microcomputer means for transmitting said wavelength control signal to said optical system for sequencing said wavelength, and for actuating said filter and source changer, and said microcomputer means including means for selecting any limited wavelength range to scan within the larger spectral range of the system, said microcomputer means discontinuing transmission of said wavelength control signal during actuation of said filter means to present a separate filter to said position. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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Specification