Optical system and method for sample analyzation
First Claim
1. An optical system for analyzing samples comprising:
- a source of radiant energy emitting radiant energy along an optical path of the optical system;
a sample plane in the optical path;
a sample to be analyzed having a surface thereof placed at the sample plane;
means for directing the incident radiant energy to the sample surface including first mask means removably positioned approximately at a Fourier plane or conjugate thereof of the optical system to selectively allow only certain radiant energy to pass therethrough to target that radiant energy at preselected angles of incidence to the sample surface;
means for collecting energy reflected, emitted or transmitted from the sample including second mask means removably positioned approximately at a Fourier plane or conjugate thereof of the optical system to selectively allow only certain reflected, emitted and/or transmitted radiant energy to pass therethrough which has emanated from the sample at preselected angles of reflection, emission or transmission, anda detector in the optical path receiving the radiant energy passing through the second mask means to analyze selected aspects of the sample.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical system, apparatus and method for analyzing samples includes a radiant energy source, a first mask, a first mirror system, a sample plane, a second mirror system, a second mask and a detector. The first and second masks are respectively positioned along the optical path of the system in the same or different Fourier planes and/or conjugate planes thereof. The first mask has at least one inlet aperture with the relative position thereof in the first mask determining the angle of the energy incidence onto the sample. The second mask has at least one outlet aperture therein passing radiant energy therethrough which has been reflected from or transmitted through the sample at a preselected angle determined by the relative position of the second aperture in the second mask. Numerous first and second masks respectively having inlet and outlet apertures at different radial and/or circumferential positions may be used in the optical system to perform many types of analyses without moving or specially preparing the sample.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An optical system for analyzing samples comprising:
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a source of radiant energy emitting radiant energy along an optical path of the optical system; a sample plane in the optical path; a sample to be analyzed having a surface thereof placed at the sample plane; means for directing the incident radiant energy to the sample surface including first mask means removably positioned approximately at a Fourier plane or conjugate thereof of the optical system to selectively allow only certain radiant energy to pass therethrough to target that radiant energy at preselected angles of incidence to the sample surface; means for collecting energy reflected, emitted or transmitted from the sample including second mask means removably positioned approximately at a Fourier plane or conjugate thereof of the optical system to selectively allow only certain reflected, emitted and/or transmitted radiant energy to pass therethrough which has emanated from the sample at preselected angles of reflection, emission or transmission, and a detector in the optical path receiving the radiant energy passing through the second mask means to analyze selected aspects of the sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for analyzing a sample at a sample plane of a radiant energy optical path comprising:
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positioning a first mask inlet means at a Fourier plane of the optical path, the first mask means having at least one inlet aperture therein; passing radiant energy through said first aperture; reflecting the radiant energy passed by said first aperture through a first mirror system; directing the radiant energy from the first mirror system to the sample at a preselected angle of incidence determined by the relative position of the first aperture in the first mask means; reflecting or transmitting energy from said sample to a second mirror system, directing radiant energy from said second mirror system to a second mask means positioned at a Fourier plane, said second mask means having at least one outlet aperture; passing radiant energy through said outlet aperture which has been reflected from or transmitted through the sample at preselected angles of reflection or transmission determined by the relative position of the outlet aperture in the second mask means; and analyzing the radiant energy passed through said second mask means at a detector. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. An optical system for analyzing samples comprising:
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a sample positioned at a sample plane of the optical system emitting radiant energy; means for collecting the radiant energy emitted from the sample including an outlet mask means removably positioned approximately at a Fourier plane or conjugate thereof of the optical system to selectively allow only certain emitted energy to pass therethrough which has been emitted at a preselected angle of emission, and a detector in the optical path receiving radiant energy passing through the outlet mask means to analyze selected aspects of the sample.
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Specification