Catadioptric zoom scattering collector

US6036324A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation · US
• Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. · US
• Associated Environmental Systems, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Bruce E. Bernacki · Kennewick, US
• Arthur C. Miller, Jr. · Princeton Junction, US
• Robert J. Nuspliger · Oak Ridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 17, 1997
• Grant date: Mar 14, 2000
• Expiry date: Sep 17, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B17/0808
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A back scattering collector, comprising: a first spherical reflective surface; a second spherical reflective surface having an annular form defining a central aperture; a refractive element, the first and second reflective surfaces and the refractive element being aligned along an optical axis; a light excitation source for illuminating a volume for analysis; the first and second reflective surfaces having respective diameters which reflect light rays back scattered from the volume at least three times between the first and second reflective surfaces, a last one of the at least three refections directing the light rays through the refractive element; and, a photo detector, the refractive element focusing the light reflected light rays onto the photo detector. The second reflective surface can be formed on the convex side of a plano-convex lens, the refractive element being formed by a central portion of the lens. The distance between the reflective surfaces is adjustable.