Monolithic optical programmable spectrograph (MOPS)

• US 5,026,160 A
• Filed: 10/04/1989
• Issued: 06/25/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Dorain, Paul B., Snow, Judith B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evans, F. L.
• Application Number:
  US07/417,623
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 356/300, 356/326, 356/328, 356/331, 356/332, 356/334, 350/96.18, 350/96.19
• US Class Current: 356/328
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0221 the fibers defining an entry slit
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0256 Compact construction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0259 Monolithic
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0294 Multi-channel spectroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/18 using diffraction elements, e.g. grating gratings per se G02B
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/1804 Plane gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/24 using gratings profiled to favour a specific order
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/2803 using photoelectric array detector

Abstract

A solid monolithic spectrograph utilizes the Czerny-Turner geometric confration. It has a base constructed of BK7 optical glass to which all components are affixed with optical epoxy. The compact spectrograph operates in the visible spectrum in second order thereby permitting it to be smaller by a factor of two than if it operated in first order. The spectrograph is programmable and is capable of simultaneous multi-channel measurements of wavelengths and bandwidths of sources in the visible and near infrared spectral regions.

Claims

1. A spectrograph comprising:

a solid transparent base, said base made of BK7 glass and painted optically black on non-transmitting surfaces, formed in a Czerny-Turner configuration;

input means for providing input rays to said base;

an input mirror affixed to said base and positioned so as to receive and reflect said input rays;

a grating affixed to said base and positioned so as to receive said reflected rays from said input mirror and to disperse said rays in a diffraction pattern;

an output mirror affixed to said base and positioned so as to receive said diffraction pattern and to reflect and focus said diffraction pattern into a diffraction spectrum;

a photodiode detector array affixed to said base for receiving and processing said diffraction spectrum; and

optical index of refraction matching glue affixing said input mirror, said grating, said output mirror, and said photodiode detector array to said base.

2. A spectrograph according to claim 1 wherein said input means comprises a slit.

3. A spectrograph according to claim 2 wherein said base, said slit, said input mirror, said grating, said output mirror and said photodiode detector array are configured and aligned so that said photodiode detector array receives a second order spectrum.

4. A spectrograph according to claim 1 wherein said input means comprises optic fiber.

5. A spectrograph according to claim 4 wherein said base, said optic fiber, said input mirror, said grating, said output mirror and said photodiode detector array are configured and aligned so that said photodiode detector array receives a second order spectrum.