Diffuse reflectance probe
First Claim
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1. A probe for viewing a sample in a viewing area immediately adjacent the probe comprising:
- a light transmitting element having a first axis and a first distal end for transmitting light;
a light collecting element having a second axis and a second distal end being located adjacent to the light transmitting element for collecting light; and
a sample viewing window disposed adjacent the first and second distal ends, said sample viewing window having sample viewing surface and a light coupling surface including a peripheral bevel surface in communication with the light transmitting element proximate the first distal end and central end face in communication with the light collecting element proximate the second distal end, said light transmitting element and said light collecting element being in optical communication with the viewing area through said window so that when a sample is positioned within the viewing area proximate the sample viewing surface a substantial portion of the light transmitted by light transmitting element is directed from the first distal end to the bevel surface through the window into the viewing area and is reflected by the sample through the window as diffusely reflected light and is collected from the end face by the second distal end of the light collecting element, said bevel surface of the window resulting in a working distance of the viewing area within about 5 mm of said window.
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Abstract
A diffuse reflectance probe is disclosed which employs in an exemplary embodiment, fiberoptic light transmitting elements and a light pipe for collecting light. The fiberoptic light transmitting elements surround the light pipe and a window having a beveled surface communicates with the light transmitting fiberoptics to direct illuminating radiation in a relatively large field of view in a close working distance with the probe.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A probe for viewing a sample in a viewing area immediately adjacent the probe comprising:
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a light transmitting element having a first axis and a first distal end for transmitting light; a light collecting element having a second axis and a second distal end being located adjacent to the light transmitting element for collecting light; and a sample viewing window disposed adjacent the first and second distal ends, said sample viewing window having sample viewing surface and a light coupling surface including a peripheral bevel surface in communication with the light transmitting element proximate the first distal end and central end face in communication with the light collecting element proximate the second distal end, said light transmitting element and said light collecting element being in optical communication with the viewing area through said window so that when a sample is positioned within the viewing area proximate the sample viewing surface a substantial portion of the light transmitted by light transmitting element is directed from the first distal end to the bevel surface through the window into the viewing area and is reflected by the sample through the window as diffusely reflected light and is collected from the end face by the second distal end of the light collecting element, said bevel surface of the window resulting in a working distance of the viewing area within about 5 mm of said window. - 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, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A diffuse reflectance probe for viewing a sample in a viewing area immediately adjacent the probe comprising:
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a light transmitting waveguide having a first axis and a distal end for transmitting light to the distal end; a light collecting waveguide having a second axis and a second distal end being located adjacent to the first distal end of light transmitting waveguide for collecting light at the second distal end; and a sample viewing window for contacting the sample disposed adjacent the distal ends of the waveguides, said sample viewing window having a light coupling surface including a bevel surface in communication with the light transmitting waveguide, the respective first and second distal ends of said light transmitting waveguide and said light collecting waveguide being in optical communication with the viewing area through said window so that when a sample is positioned within the viewing area, light transmitted by light transmitting waveguide is directed through the window into the viewing area and is diffusely reflected with minimal specular reflectance by the sample through the window and is collected by the light collecting waveguide.
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Specification