Textron Systems Corporation

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Anthony S Lee

Erich R Gross

Michael North-Morris

David M Mayes

Anthony K Maczura

A tracking stage has an optical filter with a free spectral range greater than the maximum mode hop of a tunable laser. The free spectral range is sufficient to determine the wavelength of the laser output after the mode hop. The output is dithered or a quadrature signal is used to determine whether the mode hop is forwards or backwards. In a further embodiment, a second tracking stage with a shorter free spectral range is coupled to the tunable laser to provide enhanced wavelength resolution. Alternatively, the second tracking stage is omitted and the signal of the tracking stage is amplified to enhance wavelength resolution.

Tracking of a tunable laser over output discontinuities

The present invention relates to spectral analysis systems and methods for determining physical and chemical properties of a sample by measuring the optical characteristics of light emitted from the sample. In one embodiment, a probe head for use with a spectrometer includes an optical blocking element for forcing the optical path between the light source and an optical pick-up optically connected to the spectrometer into the sample. The probe head also includes a reference shutter for selectively blocking light emitted from the sample from reaching the optical pick-up to facilitate calibration of the spectrometer.

Optical probes and methods for spectral analysis

Percentage concentrations of constituents or color components of a sample are determined using a spectral analyzer with a wide illumination spot size and detector. The analyzer irradiates the sample, picks up diffuse reflectance of individual wavelengths from the sample and spatially separates the diffuse reflectance into a response at individual wavelengths. The result is to simultaneously detect the intensities of the individual wavelengths in parallel from the sample being analyzed. Percentage constituents of a composite substance can be determined or, alternatively, the components of color in a sample can be determined by analyzing wavelengths of reflected light.

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Petaluma, CA, United States of America

Anthony S Lee