Photoacoustic spectroscopy apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A photoacoustic spectroscopy apparatus comprising;
- a transducer having a planar detecting surface; and
means for directing a beam of light through a sample obliquely relative to the plane of the detector surface to generate acoustic signals detectable by the transducer.
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Abstract
The invention encompasses photoacoustic apparatuses and photoacoustic spectrometry methods. The invention also encompasses sample cells for photoacoustic spectrometry, and sample cell/transducer constructions. In one aspect, the invention encompasses a photoacoustic spectroscopy apparatus, comprising: a) a sample reservoir and an acoustically-stimulable transducer acoustically coupled with the sample reservoir, the transducer comprising a detector surface having a substantially planar portion; and b) a beam of light configured to be directed through the sample at an angle oblique relative to the substantially planar portion of the detector surface to generate sound waves in the sample. In another aspect, the invention encompasses a photoacoustic spectroscopy sample cell, comprising: a) a first block of material having opposing front and back surfaces, the front surface comprising a substantially planar portion configured to be against a sample and the back surface comprising a substantially planar portion configured to be joined to a transducer, the back surface being parallel to the front surface; and b) a pair of opposing side surfaces joined to opposite ends of the front and back surfaces, one of the opposing side surfaces being configured for passage of light therethrough and extending at a first oblique angle relative to a plane containing the substantially planar portion of the front surface.
19 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A photoacoustic spectroscopy apparatus comprising;
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a transducer having a planar detecting surface; and
means for directing a beam of light through a sample obliquely relative to the plane of the detector surface to generate acoustic signals detectable by the transducer.
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2. A photoacoustic spectroscopy apparatus comprising:
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a transducer having a planar detecting surface;
a wall of material having a surface against a sample; and
a light source oriented to direct light through the wall of material and into the sample at an oblique angle relative to the planar detecting surface to generate a plurality of acoustic waves within the sample that are detectable by the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
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5. A photoacoustic spectroscopy method comprising:
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providing a transducer having a planar detecting surface;
providing a wall of material having a surface against a sample;
directing light through the wall of material and into the sample, the light passing through the sample at an oblique angle relative to the planar detecting surface; and
generating a plurality of acoustic waves within the sample that are detectable by the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A photoacoustic spectroscopy method comprising:
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providing a sample and an acoustically-stimulable transducer acoustically coupled with the sample, the acoustically-stimulable transducer comprising a detector surface having a substantially planar portion;
directing a first beam of light through the sample at an angle oblique to the substantially planar portion of the detector surface to generate sound waves in the sample; and
detecting the sound waves with the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of photoacoustic spectroscopy, comprising:
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providing a sample;
providing a block of material proximate the sample, the block having a substantially planar surface adjacent the sample and comprising a critical angle relative to the substantially planar surface;
providing a transducer acoustically coupled with the sample;
directing a beam of light into the block at an angle oblique to the substantially planar surface, the angle being greater than the critical angle to generate an internal reflection of the light from the surface, the light generating sound waves in the sample during the reflection; and
detecting the sound waves with the transducer. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification