Optical arrangement for photometrical analysis measuring devices

• US 4,707,131 A
• Filed: 10/15/1985
• Issued: 11/17/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oswald Schiek
• Original Assignee: Oswald Schiek
• Inventors: Schiek, Oswald
• Primary Examiner(s): LaRoche, Eugene R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pascal, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US06/786,994
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 356/73, 356/218, 356/337, 356/338, 356/339, 250/574
• US Class Current: 356/73
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/1738 Optionally different kinds of measurements; Method being valid for different kinds of measurement
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/4707 Forward scatter; Low angle scatter
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6463 Optics
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6473 In-line geometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/51 inside a container, e.g. in an ampoule G01N21/53 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/532 with measurement of scattering and transmission
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/59 Transmissivity G01N21/25 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6452 Individual samples arranged in a regular 2D-array, e.g. multiwell plates

Abstract

An optical arrangement in photometrical measuring devices for use in fluorescence and absorption measurements, extinction, nephelometrical and turbidimetrical measurements comprises a light source for emitting a monochromatic radiation, a field aperture for said radiation, and lenses which focus said monochromatic radiation onto a sample material for being analyzed. The sample, in response to said monochromatic radiation emits a first radiation portion incorporating the measuring informations from said sample, and a second radiation portion not containing measuring information. An optical imaging system is provided for directing said first radiation portion onto a detector. A removable optical member for retaining the second radiation portion is provided adjacent the optical imaging system and has an aperture greater than the field aperture.

Claims

1. An optical arrangement in a photometrical measuring device for analyzing a sample material, comprising

a light emitting system for emitting a bundle of monochromatic radiation to propagate along an optical axis, said light emitting system having a field aperture for said monochromatic radiation,

a lens,

a sample mount for mounting a material to be analyzed,

an optical imaging system,

a detector means,

said lens, said sample mount, said optical imaging system and said detector means being sequentially arranged in that order along said optical axis in mutual optical alignment,

said optical imaging system having an aperture greater than that of the field aperture,

said monochromatic radiation being focused onto a sample on said sample mount for producing a sample material radiation,

said sample material radiation being composed of a first radiation portion containing measuring information of said sample material, and of a second radiation portion not containing measuring information,

said first radiation portion being imaged through said optical imaging system onto said detector means for evaluation, and

an optical member arranged adjacent to said optical imaging system along said optical axis, said optical member being removable from said optical arrangement in a direction at right angles to said optical axis, said optical member covering a portion of said optical imaging system.

2. An optical arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical member comprises means for retaining said second radiation portion.

3. An optical arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein for fluorescence excitation, said optical member comprising an imaging reflector having its reflecting face directed toward said sample material to be analyzed and positioned to image said second radiation portion onto said sample material.

4. An optical arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein said optical imaging system comprises an absorbing material for absorbing said monochromatic radiation, when a long wave-length threshold is set for the monochromatic radiation employed for fluorescence excitation.

5. An optical arrangement as claimed in claim 2, for nephelometric measurements, wherein said optical member covers a central portion of said optical imaging system, and is adapted to said field aperture, and wherein said second radiation portion is a radiation which directly passes said sample material and is weakened by the latter, said optical member being absorbing for said second radiation portion.

6. An optical arrangement as claimed in claim 2, for extinction sand turbidimetrical measurements, wherein said first radiation portion is a radiation weakened by passing said sample material, and said second radiation portion is stray radiation, said optical member being adapted to absorb said stray radiation and having a transmissive range for said first radiation portion.

7. An optical arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical member is arranged between said optical imaging system and said detector along said optical axis,

said optical member having a reflecting face facing said optical imaging system and inclined relative to said optical axis,

said optical member serving to deviate said first radiation portion and said second radiation portion, respectively.

8. An optical arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein a further detector is provided remote from said detector means in optical alignment with said optical member, for evaluating said first radiation portion.

9. The optical arrangement of claim 1 wherein said aperture of said optical imaging system is substantially continuous throughout the first region adapted to the field aperture as well as a region surrounding and adjoining said first region.

10. The optical arrangement of claim 9 wherein said aperture comprises a Fresnel lens.