Spectroscopic imaging device employing imaging quality spectral filters
US5377003A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B21/33
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Techniques for providing spectroscopic imaging integrates an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF), or a step-scan interferometer, and a focal plane array detector. In operation, wavelength selectivity is provided by the AOTF or the step-scan interferometer. A focal plane array detector is used as the imaging detector in both cases. Operation within the ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared (NIR) spectral regions, and into the infrared spectral region, is achieved. The techniques can be used in absorption spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy. Spectroscopic images with a spectral resolution of a few nanometers and a spatial resolution of about a micron, are collected rapidly using the AOTF. Higher spectral resolution images are recorded at lower speeds using the interferometer. The AOTF technique uses entirely solid-state components and requires no moving parts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.