University of Virginia Patent Foundation

Kevin K Lehmann

Brooks Hart Pate

Brent Harris

Amanda Steber

Examples herein include apparatus and techniques that can be used to perform rotational spectroscopy on gas-phase samples. Such techniques can include using a spectrometer providing frequency synthesis and pulse modulation to provide excitation (e.g., pump or probe pulses) of a gas-phase sample at mm-wave frequencies. Synthesis of such mm-wave frequencies can include use of a frequency multiplier, such as an active multiplier chain (AMC). A free induction decay (FID) elicited by the excitation or other time-domain information can be obtained from the sample, such as down-converted and digitized. A frequency domain representation of the digitized information, such as a Fourier transformed representation, can be used to provide a rotational spectrum.

Apparatus and techniques for Fourier transform millimeter-wave spectroscopy

A pulse train comprising chirped pulses can be used to excite a sample, such as for spectroscopic analysis. The respective chirped pulses can include a frequency sweep to establish a first frequency-domain comb. A width of frequency-domain comb peaks can be established at least in part by a total duration of the pulse train, and a bandwidth of the first frequency-domain comb can be determined at least in part by a bandwidth of the frequency sweep of the respective chirped pulses. A free-space or enclosed sample interaction region can be used.

Chirped pulse frequency-domain comb for spectroscopy

An adjustable optical cell assembly includes a hollow body defining a cavity and a plurality of optical elements rigidly affixed within the cavity. A first actuator is configured to apply a force to an external surface of the hollow body sufficient to elastically deform at least a portion of the hollow body such one of a distance and a relative orientation between first and second optical elements of the plurality of optical elements is responsively altered.

Adaptable cell design for a spectroscopy apparatus

A pulse train comprising chirped pulses of electromagnetic energy can be used to excite a sample, such as for spectroscopic analysis. The respective chirped pulses can include a frequency sweep across a first specified bandwidth during a respective chirped pulse duration, the respective chirped pulse duration establishing a first frequency-domain comb peak separation. A width of a frequency-domain comb peak can be established at least in part by a total duration of the pulse train, and a bandwidth of the first frequency-domain comb can be determined at least in part by the first specified bandwidth of the frequency sweep of the respective chirped pulses.

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Crozet, VA, United States of America

Kevin K Lehmann