Laser indication light configuration

• US 7,859,660 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endress+Hauser Optical Analysis Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc. (Endress+Hauser AG)
• Inventors: Slater, Joseph B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey; Minsun
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Phillip
• Application Number:
  US10/101,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20020141460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,206 Days
• Field of Search: 2/63, 2426-454, 356300-301, 351/41
• US Class Current: 356/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2025 with a pilot laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/049 against light, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/008 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/702 Auxiliary equipment

Abstract

Indicator light apparatus and methods associated with a laser beam having a primary wavelength enable an operator to see the indicator while wearing protective eyewear tuned to the primary wavelength. The apparatus includes a source of indicator light other than the primary wavelength, a first optical element for co-injecting the indicator light into the laser beam to form a co-propagating beam, and an optical or physical configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam. The first optical element may be some form of beam splitter or combiner, and the configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam uses a diffuser upon which the co-propagating beam impinges. The indicator light is preferably derived from an inexpensive source, such as a diode laser operating in the 670-690 nm range. The invention is useful in many different environments, including stimulate emission systems, wherein one or more optical elements are used to direct the laser beam onto a sample to stimulate an optical emission therefrom. The stimulated emission may be representative of a Raman or fluorescence spectrum, for example.

Claims

1. Indicator light apparatus for an optical stimulated-emission system including a laser beam having a primary wavelength and operator-worn protective eyewear tuned to reject the primary wavelength, the apparatus comprising:

one or more focusing optical elements for directing the laser beam onto a sample to stimulate a Raman or fluorescence spectrum therefrom;

one or more collection optical elements to collect the Raman or fluorescence spectrum;

a source of indicator light other than the primary wavelength;

a first optical element for co-injecting the indicator light into the laser beam to form a co-propagating beam; and

an optical configuration enabling an operator to view the co-propagating beam and detect the presence of the indicator light while wearing the protective eyewear.

2. The indicator light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first optical element is a beam combiner.

3. The indicator light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the configuration enabling an operator to view light from the co-propagating beam includes a diffuser upon which the co-propagating beam impinges.

4. The indicator light apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicator light is in the 670 - 690 nm range.