Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.

Thermo Niton Analyzers LLC

Mark A Hamilton

Michael E Dugas

Stanislaw Piorek

Kenneth P Martin

John E Goulter

Pratheev Sreetharan

Lee Grodzins

Paul R Estabrooks

Suraj Bhaskaran

Bruce Pirger

Herbert Ziegler

Denis Baiko

Richard A Crocombe

Judd Jenne

George Lungu

John Swab

Steven VanGorden

Michael Pilon

Paul Estabrooks

An optical emission spectroscopic (OES) instrument includes a spectrometer, a processor and an adjustable mask controlled by the processor. The adjustable mask defines a portion of an analytical gap imaged by the spectrometer. The instrument automatically adjusts the size and position of an opening in the mask, so the spectrometer images an optimal portion of plasma formed in the analytical gap, thereby improving signal and noise characteristics of the instrument, without requiring tedious and time-consuming manual adjustment of the mask during manufacture or use.

Optical emission spectroscopic (OES) instrument with automatic top and bottom slit curtains

An analyzer for analyzing a composition of a sample, and methods of operating an analyzer. The analyzer may include an optical illuminator and a Raman spectrometer to produce Raman spectral data representative of Raman radiation emitted from the sample in response to the illuminating light. Features to reduce background fluorescence are optionally provided. An x-ray illuminator may be provided to illuminate the sample with x-rays, and also an x-ray spectrometer may be present to produce x-ray spectral data representative of fluorescence radiation emitted from the sample in response to the illuminating x-rays. A processor receives the Raman spectral data and any x-ray spectral data and provides an analysis of a compound in the sample.

Sample analysis

A hand-held, self-contained, battery-powered test instrument for analyzing composition of a sample includes an exciter for exciting at least a portion of the sample, a compact cross-dispersed spectrometer for receiving an optical signal from the excited portion of the sample and a processor for processing spectral data about the optical signal from the spectrometer. The exciter may include a spark generator and a counter electrode, a laser or other device for generating the optical signal from the sample portion. The spectrometer has a wavelength range broad enough to enable the test instrument to detect and determine relative quantities of carbon, phosphorous, sulfur, manganese, silicon, iron and other elements necessary to identify common alloys. The spectrometer includes a structural member made of a light-weight material having a small coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The spectrometer is dimensionally stable over a range of expected ambient temperatures, without controlling the temperature of the spectrometer.

Hand-held, self-contained optical emission spectroscopy (OES) analyzer

An optical emission spectroscopic system contains multiple distinct light paths that provide increased light to a spectrometer, thereby increasing sensitivity and signal-to-noise of the system.

Multiple-light-path front end for OES instrument

Time-resolved analysis of a spectrum is performed by illuminating a one-dimensional array of charge-transfer device light-sensitive pixel cells and periodically non-destructively copying charges in the light-sensitive cells to respective storage cells ('row storage registers') co-located with the light-sensitive cells in an integrated circuit. Information about the charges stored in at least some of the storage cells is provided to a component external to the integrated circuit.

Linear sensor array for an optical spectroscopy device and methods of use thereof

A hand-held, self-contained x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer produces a small x-ray spot on a sample to interrogate the elemental composition of a sample region of millimeter-size characteristic dimension. The analyzer includes a collimator for aiming an x-ray beam toward a desired location on the sample and for determining the size of the spot produced on the sample. The analyzer may include a digital camera oriented toward the portion of the sample that is, or would be, interrogated by the x-ray spot to facilitate aiming the analyzer. The analyzer may generate a reticule in a displayed image to indicate the portion of the sample that is, or would be, illuminated by the x-ray beam. The analyzer may automatically annotate the image of the sample with text or graphics that contain information about the analyzed sample. The image may be stored in the hand -held analyzer or provided for external storage or display.

Small spot X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer

An analytical instrument may be docked in a stand. The stand provides electrical power, cooling, gas to purge air from an analytical gap within the instrument and/or other supplies or services to the instrument. The stand contains a contactless memory, such as an RF-ID tag, which stores information about the supplies and/or services the stand is capable of providing to the instrument. The instrument reads the stand's contactless memory and automatically sets operational parameters of the instrument in accordance with the supplies and/or services the stand is capable of providing. Thus, the instrument may automatically operate in an enhanced mode, such as at a higher x-ray beam power, as a result of being mounted in the stand.

Docking stand for analytical instrument

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Upton, MA, United States of America

Mark A Hamilton