Elastic radiation scatter-detecting safety device analyzer apparatus provided with safety device and method for controlling a laser excitation source
US5986755A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J3/4412
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A safety device for detecting elastically scattered radiation comprises: an excitation source of substantially monochromatic radiation having a controllable output, a detector for detecting elastically scattered radiation collected from a specimen illuminated by the excitation source, and a signal conditioning circuit that comprises a transducer and a comparator. An output transducer signal representative of the elastically scattered radiation is compared with a predefined threshold signal. If the output transducer signal is less than the threshold signal, a control output signal coupled to the excitation source causes the output of the source to be reduced. The safety device is included in an analyzer apparatus, preferably a Raman spectrometry apparatus that further includes an optical probe. The probe comprises a fluid-tight body that encloses three optical channels, preferably comprising optical fibers, that carry monochromatic radiation to a specimen and separately collect inelastically and elastically scattered radiation from the illuminated specimen. In a method for controlling a radiation source in an analyzer apparatus, a specimen is analyzed by an excitation source having …
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