Refractometer assemblies, methods of calibrating the same, and methods of determining unknown refractive indices using the same
US10078048B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 2017 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/274
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A refractometer assembly comprises a waveguide plate, a diagnostic light source, a photodetector, and a light absorption plate. The diagnostic light source and the photodetector are optically coupled to the waveguide plate such that at least a portion of light emitted from the diagnostic light source is subject to internal reflection at a diagnostic surface of the waveguide plate prior to reaching the photodetector when an analyte film of unknown refractive index n0 forms an optical interface with the diagnostic surface of the waveguide plate. The light absorption plate is configured to absorb light reaching the light absorption plate without undergoing internal reflection at the diagnostic surface when the analyte film forms an optical interface with the diagnostic surface of the waveguide plate. The refractometer assembly defines an optical system where variations in the unknown refractive index n0 are related to variations in a detection signal generated by the photodetector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.