American Optical Corporation

The United States of America

Robert Joseph Landry

Emil W Deeg

Robert E Graf

Richard W Peterson

Robert G Bostrom

A method and apparatus for monitoring optical radiation which, in a preferred embodiment, takes the form of a biologically weighted ultraviolet radiant energy monitor which provides a direct indication of the hazards to humans from the ultraviolet radiant energy emanating from the optical radiation source being monitored. The source of radiation is first spectrally dispersed by passage through a suitable prism or diffraction grating. Portions of the spectrally dispersed radiation are mechanically masked in accordance with a predetermined biological weighting. The subsequent weighted output from the mechanical mask is then fed to a suitable detector. In the various embodiments of the ultraviolet hazard monitor, a quartz prism or diffraction grating spectrograph is utilized to spectrally disperse the incident radiation spatially and a plate coated with sodium salicylate or other suitable converter is placed in the exit plane of the spectrograph. The sodium salicylate plate fluoresces in the blue in response to incident ultraviolet radiation. The intensity of the biologically weighted blue light may then be conveniently and readily detected by a blue sensitive detector to provide an immediate readout of the potential ultraviolet radiation hazard from the unknown optical source.

Method and apparatus for monitoring optical radiation

Chemically stable, semiconducting glasses having a resistivity of from about 2 .times. 10.sup.7 to about 6 .times. 10.sup.8 ohm.sup.. cm contain 25 to 35 weight percent of vanadium pentoxide, 10 to 20 weight percent phosphorous pentoxide, and from 35 to 45 weight percent of molybdenum trioxide. These semiconducting glasses are melted readily, are castable into desired shapes, and offer good resistance to devitrification.

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Poolesville, MD, United States of America

Robert Joseph Landry