Integrated spectroscopy system

• US 7,292,344 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Axsun Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Axsun Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Kotidis, Petros, Atia, Walid A., Flanders, Dale C., Kuznetsov, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CONNOLLY, PATRICK J
• Application Number:
  US11/380,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20060187461A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 356/451, 356/454, 356/480, 356/519
• US Class Current: 356/454
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0256 Compact construction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/26 using multiple reflection, e.g. Fabry-Perot interferometer, variable interference filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/36 Investigating two or more bands of a spectrum by separate detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/255 Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems

Abstract

Integrated spectroscopy systems are disclosed. In some examples, integrated tunable detectors, using one or multiple Fabry-Perot tunable filters, are provided. Other examples use integrated tunable sources. The tunable source combines one or multiple diodes, such as superluminescent light emitting diodes (SLED), and a Fabry Perot tunable filter or etalon. The advantages associated with the use of the tunable etalon are that it can be small, relatively low power consumption device. For example, newer microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) implementations of these devices make them the size of a chip. This increases their robustness and also their performance. In some examples, an isolator, amplifier, and/or reference system is further provided integrated.

Claims

1. A tunable light source spectroscopy system, comprising:

a superluminescent light emitting diode for generating broadband light; and

a tunable Fabry Perot filter for spectrally filtering the broadband light from the broadband source to generate a tunable signal;

an optical fiber for carrying the tunable signal to irradiate a sample;

a detector for detecting a response of the sample to the tunable signal to determine a spectroscopic response of the sample; and

an isolator interposed between the superluminescent light emitting diode and the tunable filter for preventing back reflections from the tunable filter into the superluminescent light emitting diode.

2. A tunable light source spectroscopy system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the superluminescent light emitting diode and the Fabry Perot filter are installed in common on an optical bench.

3. A tunable light source spectroscopy system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the superluminescent light emitting diode, isolator, and tunable filter are integrated on a common optical bench.

4. A tunable light source spectroscopy system as claimed in claim 1, comprising an amplifier for amplifying the tunable signal.

5. A tunable light source spectroscopy system, comprising:

a superluminescent light emitting diode for generating broadband light; and

a tunable Fabry Perot filter for spectrally filtering the broadband light from the broadband source to generate a tunable signal;

an optical fiber for carrying the tunable signal to irradiate a sample;

a detector for detecting a response of the sample to the tunable signal to determine a spectroscopic response of the sample; and

an amplifier for amplifying the tunable signal, wherein the amplifier is a semiconductor optical amplifier.

6. A tunable light source spectroscopy system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an isolator interposed between the superluminescent light emitting diode and the tunable filter for preventing back reflections from the tunable filter into the broadband source.

7. A tunable light source spectroscopy system, comprising:

a superluminescent light emitting diode for generating broadband light; and

a tunable Fabry Perot filter for spectrally filtering the broadband light from the broadband source to generate a tunable signal;

an optical fiber for carrying the tunable signal to irradiate a sample;

a detector for detecting a response of the sample to the tunable signal to determine a spectroscopic response of the sample; and

an amplifier for amplifying the tunable signal, wherein the amplifier is a fiber amplifier.

8. A tunable light source spectroscopy system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fiber amplifier is one of an erbium, ytterbium, thulium or Raman fiber amplifier.