Other

Harrick Scientific Corporation

Asi Applied Systems, L.l.c.

Milan Milosevic

Nicolas J Harrick

Donald W Sting

John A Reffner

Craig R Wisch

A crystal assembly for optical analyzation of samples includes a first crystal member and a second crystal member, the latter of which is preferably a diamond. The first and second crystal members, which have substantially the same index of refraction for infrared energy, are coupled together at an optically transmitting interface. This interface may be formed by crystal surfaces in intimate contact with one another or by a third crystal member positioned therebetween. The first crystal member has at least one circumferential sidewall focusing surface for redirecting infrared energy within the first crystal member to and from a focal ring or focal plane at or near the optical interface. The focused infrared energy transmitted from the first crystal member is internally reflected within the second crystal member to obtain encoding specific to a sample in contact with a surface of the second crystal member. The encoded infrared energy is then reflected back into the first crystal member for ultimate transmission to a detector.

Optical sensing with crystal assembly sensing tip

An apparatus and method for spectroscopic or radiometric analysis of solid, liquid, or gas samples includes first and second optically transmitting materials. The first optically transmitting material has selected bulk optical transmission and index of refraction properties which enable infrared radiation transmission therethrough across selected optical transmission ranges. The first optically transmitting material is of a type which normally has chemical or mechanical degradation when in contact with the sample during spectroscopic or radiometric analysis. The second optically transmitting material is preferably a wafer or thin sheet in optical/mechanical contact with the first optically transmitting material. The second material is designed to be located between the first optically transmitting material and the sample all held in a fixture or fixtures to prevent the sample from contacting the first material during spectroscopic or radiometric analysis of the sample. The second optically transmitting material: i) is chemically resistant to the sample, ii) is constructed of a material which prevents significant physical degradation of the second material when the sample contacts the second material, iii) has selected optical transmission and index of refraction properties which enable optical transmission from the first material to the second material, or from the second material to the first material, without significant transmission or reflectivity losses, and iv) is contained in a cell or fixture that prevents the sample from contacting the first optically transmitting material during the spectroscopic or radiometric analysis.

Optically coupled infrared transmitting composite internal reflecting

An optical accessory for reflection spectroscopy having a very small sampling area and provided with a microscope for aiding the user to locate a sample to be analyzed on the active sampling area where it can interact with a radiation beam. The microscope is characterized by fiber optic bundles to supply sample illumination via a cone-shaped light-funnelling tip terminated in a thin hard optically transparent wear tip, e.g., of sapphire. The microscope is also used to apply pressure via the wear tip to the sample while it is being illuminated and while it can be viewed to maximize interaction with the radiation.

Spectroscopic accessory with microscope illuminator

A variable angle reflection accessory for use in reflection spectrometry characterized by a pair of fixed ellipsoidal reflectors positioned inside an enclosure adjacent a sample surface on the outside of the enclosure and a pair of rotatable plane mirrors positioned at opposite sides of the sample surface. The spectrometer beam is brought to a focus at the first plane mirror, from which it is reflected off the first ellipsoidal reflector to a focus at the sample surface. The reflected beam follows a corresponding path back to the spectrometer. Rotating the mirrors in unison causes the beam angle of incidence on the sample surface to vary over a wide range while maintaining optical alignments and continuing to center the radiation on the same sample area. The outside positioning of the sample surface allows the accessory to be easily coupled to a purge port of the spectrometer and allows rapid sample exchanges without breaking the purge atmosphere.

Optical accessory for variable angle reflection spectroscopy

A liquid cell for IRS comprising a rod-shaped crystal having a cylindrical sampling surface and integral conical end portions forming end entrance and exit faces for a radiation beam. The center of the end faces are masked. All radiation entering the entrance face internally reflects from the conical surface and propagates down the IRE by multiple internal reflections from the cylindrical sampling surface. The IRE can be sealed into a trough or flow-through housing for the liquid sample. The seals are at insensitive regions of the IRE.

Multiple internal reflectance liquid sampling

The multiple internal reflection accessories for internal reflection spectrometry described here utilizes a novel approach to match the round beam size and shape from a conventional FT-IR spectrometer to the typical rectangular IRE aperture. Its transfer optics distort the beam entering and exiting the IRE so that the cross-section of the beam is matched to that of the standard rectangular aperture of the IRE. This configuration reduces energy losses, eliminates the need to aluminize the edges of the crystal, and reduces spurious peaks from the adhesive or O-rings used to conventionally mount the crystal.

Horizontal multiple internal reflection accessory for internal

An ultra-small sample analyzer for internal reflection spectrometry comprises a small hemispherical crystal of an infrared-transparent hard material whose flat surface receives the sample to be analyzed. The analyzing beam is contracted to a very small size when incident on the hemispherical surface. Pressure-applying means of a size substantially matching that of the beam at the sampling surface enables interaction of substantially the entire beam with the sample producing spectra of high contrast from microgram or nanogram quantities of the sample.

Ultra-small sample analyzer for internal reflection spectroscopy

Optical spectroscopy in a purging atmosphere wherein an optical accessory is gas-tight coupled in the spectrometer sample compartment to the open beam port of the spectrometer, whereby the same purging gas used by the spectrometer can be employed to purge the accessory. Where the accessory allows external sample placement or external adjustments, rapid sample changing or adjustment is possible without breaking the purge seal. In another embodiment, the accessory has its own purge inlet and sealed windows for receiving the spectrometer beam.

Purging of optical spectrometer accessories

A versatile optical analysis system comprising a spectrophotometer having a collimated radiation source, an output port for the radiation, an input port for external radiation, a detector, and means for processing electrical signals representative of radiation from a sample to be analyzed. The system also comprises one or more remote terminals where the sample is located, and novel radiation piping means for selectively piping radiation from the spectrophotometer to the remote terminal or vice versa. Novel remote terminals are also described for carrying out diffuse reflection, external reflection, or emission analysis.

Spectroscopic analysis system with remote terminals

A vaariable angle reflection accessory for use in reflection spectrometry characterized by a pair of fixed ellipsoidal reflectors positioned over the sample surface and a pair of rotatable plane mirrors positions at opposite sides of the sample surface. The spectrometer beam is brought to a focus at the first plane mirror, from which it is reflected off the first ellipsoidal reflector to a focus at the sample surface. The reflected beam follows a corresponding path back to the spectrometer. Rotating the mirrors in unison causes the beam angle of incidence on the sample surface to vary over a wide range while maintaining optical alignments and continuing to center the radiation on the same sample area.

Optical attachment for variable angle reflection spectroscopy

Novel internal reflection plates and spectroscopy systems using such plates especially for analyzing liquids. The plates have a generally trapezoidal shape with beveled ends, and are oriented relative to an incident radiation beam such that the beam reflects from the bevel and propagates down the plate by multiple internal reflections form its major surfaces.

Liquid analysis with internal reflection spectroscopy

An attachment or accessory for performing diffuse reflectance spectroscopy on a conventional UV-VIS-IR spectrophotometer. The attachment includes a removable body having a hemispherical mirrored interior surface positioned over the sample, and containing windows for entrance and exit of radiation. Multiple sampling of the same sample area enhances the quality of the spectrophotometer output.

Growing community of inventors

Fishkill, NY, United States of America

Milan Milosevic