Encoded variable filter spectrometer
First Claim
1. A spectrometer system for performing spectroscopic determination on biological media, the spectrometer system comprising:
- a light source for generating light;
an optical filter positioned to receive light from the light source, the filter having a plurality of bandpass regions, wherein light within a bandpass region is transmitted through the filter such that for each bandpass region there is a corresponding pasaband of light;
an optical encoding unit positioned for encoding selected passbands of light corresponding to bandpass regions of the optical filter, the optical encoding unit configured for selecting subsets of the passbands of light;
a sampler for transmitting the light into the sample and for receiving the non-absorbed light from the sample; and
a detector for receiving the non-absorbed light and for generating an electric signal indicative of the non-absorbed light;
wherein the sampler is configured to receive the filtered, encoded light from the encoder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Spectroscopic system and spectrometers including an optical bandpass filter unit having a plurality of bandpass regions and a spatial encoding unit for encoding discrete frequencies of light passing through the optical filter. The incorporation of the encoding unit allows the spectrometer system to use a detector having one or a small number of elements, rather than using a more expensive detector array typically used with filter-based spectrometers. The system can also include an integrating chamber that collects the light that is not transmitted through the bandpass filter unit, and redirects this light to strike the filter unit again, resulting in a significant increase in the optical power passing through the filter. The integrating chamber maximizes the return of the reflected light to the filter assembly and minimizes optical losses. The integrating chamber may be an orthogonal design to preserve the optical geometric characteristics of the light entering the chamber.
181 Citations
53 Claims
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1. A spectrometer system for performing spectroscopic determination on biological media, the spectrometer system comprising:
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a light source for generating light; an optical filter positioned to receive light from the light source, the filter having a plurality of bandpass regions, wherein light within a bandpass region is transmitted through the filter such that for each bandpass region there is a corresponding pasaband of light; an optical encoding unit positioned for encoding selected passbands of light corresponding to bandpass regions of the optical filter, the optical encoding unit configured for selecting subsets of the passbands of light; a sampler for transmitting the light into the sample and for receiving the non-absorbed light from the sample; and a detector for receiving the non-absorbed light and for generating an electric signal indicative of the non-absorbed light; wherein the sampler is configured to receive the filtered, encoded light from the encoder. - 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 spectrometer for use in a spectroscopic system, the spectroscopiC system including a light source for generating light and a detector for receiving light, the spectrometer comprising:
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an optical filter for receiving light from the light source, the filter having a plurality of bandpass regions, wherein light within a handpass region is transmitted through the optical filter such tat for each bandpass region there is a corresponding passband of light, the optical filter further disposed such that a plurality of passbands of light pass through the optical filter from the light source simultaneously; and an encoding unit for encoding selected passbands of light corresponding to bandpass regions of the optical fdter, the optical encoding unit configured for selecting subsets of the passbands of light; wherein the encoding unit is operable to select at least a first subset of the passbands of light or a second sabser of the passbands of light for transmission to a sampler adapted to interrogate a biologaical sample. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A spectrometer for use in selected applications of a spectroscopic system, the spectroscopic system including a light source for generating light and a detector for receiving light, the spectrometer comprising:
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an optical filter for receiving light from the tight source, the filter having a plurality of bandpass regions, wherein light within a bandpass region is transmitted through the optical filter such that for each bandpass region there is a corresponding passband of light, the optical filter father disposed such tat a plurality ofpassbands of light pass through the optical filter from the light source simultaneously, wherein said regions are sized from final regression coefficients derived from said selected application; and an encoding unit for encoding selected pasahands of light corresponding to bandpass region of the optical filter, the optical encoding unit configured for selecting subsets of the passbands of light.
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Specification