CRDS mirror for normal incidence fiber optic coupling
First Claim
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1. A fluid sensor comprising:
- a plurality of mirrors forming a closed light path;
a refraction block having a first surface proximate to the plurality of mirrors; and
a light channel attached to a second surface of the refraction block at a normal of the second surface;
wherein the light channel is associated with a structure sufficient for holding the refraction block and the plurality of mirrors in suspension within a sampling environment.
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Abstract
A cavity ring-down sensor having an optical path of mirrors and an interface proximate to a mirror with a normal incidence optical fiber coupling. The interface may be a block of transmissive materials having different indices of refraction for receiving a light beam of normal incidence from an optical fiber and directing the beam into the optical path. The sensor may be used applications where the optical fiber needs to be straight into the sensor without unusual bending because of space limitations. One application of this sensor may be for ground water testing via a narrow well casing.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A fluid sensor comprising:
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a plurality of mirrors forming a closed light path; a refraction block having a first surface proximate to the plurality of mirrors; and a light channel attached to a second surface of the refraction block at a normal of the second surface; wherein the light channel is associated with a structure sufficient for holding the refraction block and the plurality of mirrors in suspension within a sampling environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A cavity ring-down system comprising:
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a cavity having a ring-like light path; a refractive interface optically coupled to the cavity; an optical fiber having a first end attached to the first surface of the interface; and wherein the refractive interface is for directing a light beam from approximately perpendicular to a first surface of the interface into the ring-like light path; the optical fiber is for providing the light beam to the first surface of the interface; and the optical fiber is associated with a structure for suspending the cavity and the refractive interface within a sample environment. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for providing a cavity ring-down system comprising:
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providing a ring-down optical path formed by a plurality of mirrors; providing an interface having a first surface adjacent to the ring-down optical path and proximate to the plurality of mirrors; making the interface with two layers of material having different indices of refraction; and attaching a light channel to a second surface of the interface to provide a light beam into the interface at a direction perpendicular to the second surface of the interface and through the interface into the ring-down optical path wherein the two layers are mounted against each other with their common face at an angle relative to the direction perpendicular to the second surface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification