Self calibration methods for optical analysis system
First Claim
1. A method for calibrating an optical analysis system, comprising:
- providing an illumination light from a source;
providing a sample detector and a reference detector;
providing a mirror between a sample and the combination of the sample detector and the reference detector;
directing the illumination light to the sample in a first measurement, and alternately to the sample detector and the reference detector in a second measurement using the mirror; and
modifying at least one characteristic of the illumination light arriving at the sample detector and reference detector,establishing a baseline by measuring the illumination light directed by the mirror to the sample detector and the reference detector in the second measurement, for measurements taken by the optical analysis system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a system and methodologies for providing self-calibration in an optical analysis system. Illumination light is directed toward a material to be sampled while provisions are made to modify the characteristics of at least a portion of the illumination light falling on a reference detector. The modified characteristics may include light presence and/or spectral characteristics. Light presence may be modified by rotating or moving mirror assemblies to cause light to fall on either a sample detector or a reference detector while spectral characteristics may be modified by placing materials having known spectral characteristics in the path of the illumination light.
222 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A method for calibrating an optical analysis system, comprising:
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providing an illumination light from a source; providing a sample detector and a reference detector; providing a mirror between a sample and the combination of the sample detector and the reference detector; directing the illumination light to the sample in a first measurement, and alternately to the sample detector and the reference detector in a second measurement using the mirror; and modifying at least one characteristic of the illumination light arriving at the sample detector and reference detector, establishing a baseline by measuring the illumination light directed by the mirror to the sample detector and the reference detector in the second measurement, for measurements taken by the optical analysis system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for calibrating an optical analysis system, comprising the steps of:
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providing an illumination light from a source; providing a sample detector and a reference detector; providing a mirror between a sample and the combination of the sample detector and the reference detector; directing the illumination light to the sample in a first measurement, and alternately to the sample detector and the reference detector in a second measurement using the mirror; providing a chopper wheel having a predetermined number of windows between the illumination source and the mirror to produce a modulation of the light provided by the illumination source; and establishing a baseline by measuring the illumination light directed by the mirror to the sample detector and reference detector in the second measurement for measurements taken by the optical analysis system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A self-calibrating optical analysis system, comprising:
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an illumination source; a sample detector and a reference detector; a mirror between the illumination source and a combination of the sample detector and the reference detector to direct a light provided by the illumination source through a sample in a first measurement and alternately to the sample detector and the reference detector in a second measurement; a chopper wheel having a predetermined number of windows positioned between the illumination source and the mirror to produce a modulation of the light provided by the illumination source; and
,whereby a baseline is established by measuring the light from the illumination source directed by the mirror to the sample detector and reference detector in the second measurement for measurements taken by the optical analysis system. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A self-calibrating optical analysis system, comprising:
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an illumination source; a sample detector and a reference detector; a first mirror, and a second mirror placed at a distance from the first mirror, the first mirror and the second mirror placed between a sample and the combination of the sample detector and the reference detector to direct a light provided by the illumination source through the sample in a first measurement, and alternately to the sample detector and the reference detector in a second measurement; a chopper wheel having a predetermined number of windows positioned between the illumination source and the first mirror to produce a modulation of the light provided by the illumination source;
whereina baseline is established by measuring the light from the illumination source directed to the sample detector and reference detector in the second measurement for measurements taken by the optical analysis system; and
further whereinat least one light turning element is positioned in at least one window of the chopper wheel, wherein light from the illumination source may be directed by the at least one light turning element to said reference detector by way of the second mirror when the at least one window of the chopper wheel is placed between the illumination source and the first mirror. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. A method for calibrating an optical analysis system, comprising:
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placing an optical element between a sample and a combination of a sample detector and a reference detector; directing, with the optical element, a light provided by an illumination source through the sample in a first measurement and alternately to the sample detector and the reference detector in a second measurement; modifying at least one characteristic of the light arriving at the sample detector and reference detector from the illumination source; and establishing a baseline by measuring the light from the illumination source to the sample detector and the reference detector in the second measurement, for measurements taken by the optical analysis system.
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32. A method for calibrating an optical analysis system, comprising the steps of:
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placing an optical element between a sample and a combination of a sample detector and a reference detector; directing, with the optical element an illumination, light to the sample in a first measurement and alternately to the sample detector and the reference detector in a second measurement; modulating the illumination light using a chopper wheel having a predetermined number of windows, establishing a baseline by measuring the illumination light directed to the sample detector and reference detector in the second measurement for measurements taken by the optical analysis system. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. A self-calibrating optical analysis system, comprising:
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a sample detector and a reference detector; an optical element placed between a sample and a combination of the sample detector and the reference detector; a source providing an illumination light to the sample in a first measurement and alternately providing the illumination light to the sample detector and the reference detector in a second measurement with the optical element; and a chopper wheel having a predetermined number of windows positioned between the source and the sample detector and the reference detector to produce a modulation of the illumination light, wherein a baseline is established by measuring the light from the source provided to the sample detector and reference detector in the second measurement for measurements taken by the optical analysis system. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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Specification