EP0121714A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Automatic wavelength calibration correction system
Assignee: Kollmorgen Corp
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Filing: 1984-02-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A system for maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of diffraction grating based spectrometers and monochromators is disclosed. The system utilizes the approximately fixed angular relationship between diffracted and undiffracted light emanating from the diffraction grating to maintain the calibration of an instrument. One or more photodetectors are used to measure shifts in an undiffracted image due to mechanical misalignments that cause errors in the instrument's wavelength scale. Once direction and degree of shift known, the instrument is recalibrated either by adjusting various mechanical and/or optical structures within the instrument to shift the undiffracted images by an amount equal to, but in a direction opposite the measured shift so that the diffracted light is likeweise shifted, or by relabeling the wavelength scale outputs by an amount derived from the measured shift.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley J. Kishner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/28; G01J2003/2866; G01J3/12; G01J3/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to disperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths, characterized in that it comprises means for measuring the magnitude and direction of shift occurring in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; and means for correcting the calibration of the wavelength scale utilizing said measured shift.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to disperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths, characterized in that it comprises means for measuring the magnitude and direction of shift occurring in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; and means for correcting the calibration of the wavelength scale utilizing said measured shift.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said correcting means comprises means for adjusting the mechanical and/or optical structures of the instrument to shift said undiffracted image position by an amount equal to, but in a direction opposite said measured shift so that diffracted images of said entry point emanating from the diffraction grating are likewise shifted and, thereby, the wavelength scale calibrated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said correcting means comprises means for relabeling the wavelength scale outputs by an amount derived from said measured shift so that the wavelength scale is recalibrated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said adjusting means comprises a plurality of computer controlled electromechanical apparatuses for translating and/or rotating said mechanical and/or optical structures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said relabeling means comprises a computer connected to the wavelength scale.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
45 words
The system as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 where~ in said measuring means comprises a plurality of photodetectors connected to said correcting means and disposed so that said undiffracted image falls in the center thereof when the wavelength scale is properly calibrated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said measuring means comprises two photodetectors disposed so that said undiffracted image impinges on each of said two photodetectors with equal intensity when said wavelength scale is properly calibrated.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
43 words
The system as claimed in any of claims.2 to 5 wherein said measuring means comprises a photodetector connected to said correcting means and disposed so that said undiffracted image impinges on one side of said photodetector when said wavelength scale is properly calibrated.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to disperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths, characterized in that it comprises means for sensing a shift in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; means for determining the magnitude and direction of said undiffracted image position shift; and correcting means for either relabeling the wavelength scale outputs by an amount derived from said measured shift so that the wavelength scale is recalibrated, or adjusting the mechanical and/or optical structures of the spectrometer or monochromator to shift said undiffracted image position by an amount equal to, but in a direction opposite said measured shift so that diffracted images of said entry point emanating from the diffraction grating are likewise shifted and, thereby, the wavelength scale recalibrated.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to disperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths, characterized in that it comprises means for sensing a shift in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; means for determining the magnitude and direction of said undiffracted image position shift; and correcting means for either relabeling the wavelength scale outputs by an amount derived from said measured shift so that the wavelength scale is recalibrated, or adjusting the mechanical and/or optical structures of the spectrometer or monochromator to shift said undiffracted image position by an amount equal to, but in a direction opposite said measured shift so that diffracted images of said entry point emanating from the diffraction grating are likewise shifted and, thereby, the wavelength scale recalibrated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said sensing, means comprises a plurality of photodetectors disposed so that said undiffracted image falls in the center thereof when the wavelength scale is properly calibrated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sensing means comprises two photodetectors disposed so that said undiffracted image impinges on each of said two photodetectors with equal intensity when said wavelength scale is properly calibrated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sensing means comprises a photodetector disposed so that said undiffracted image impinges on one side of said photodetector when said wavelength scale is properly calibrated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein said correcting means comprises a computer connected to at least one electromechanical apparatus for translating and/ or rotating said mechanical and/or optical structures, and to the wavelength scale.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said determining means is said computer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to disperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths, characterized in that it comprises at least one photodetector for sensing a shift in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; at least one electromechanical apparatus for translating and/or rotating the mechanical and/or optical structures of the instrument; and a logic circuit capable of determining the magnitude and direction of shift occurring in said position of said undiffracted image, and of either relabeling the wavelength scale outputs by an amount derived from said measured shift so that the wavelength scale is recalibrated, or activating said at least one electromechanical apparatus to translate and/or rotate said mechanical and/or optical structures to shift said undiffracted image by an amount equal to, but in a direction opposite said determined shift so that diffracted images of said entry point emanating from the diffraction grating are likewise shifted and, thereby, the wavelength scale recalibrated.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to disperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths, characterized in that it comprises at least one photodetector for sensing a shift in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; at least one electromechanical apparatus for translating and/or rotating the mechanical and/or optical structures of the instrument; and a logic circuit capable of determining the magnitude and direction of shift occurring in said position of said undiffracted image, and of either relabeling the wavelength scale outputs by an amount derived from said measured shift so that the wavelength scale is recalibrated, or activating said at least one electromechanical apparatus to translate and/or rotate said mechanical and/or optical structures to shift said undiffracted image by an amount equal to, but in a direction opposite said determined shift so that diffracted images of said entry point emanating from the diffraction grating are likewise shifted and, thereby, the wavelength scale recalibrated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system as claimed in claim 15 wherein two photodetectors sense a shift in said undiffracted image, said image impinging with equal intensity on each of said two photodetectors when said wavelength scale is properly calibrated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as claimed in claim 15 wherein one photodetector senses a shift in said undiffracted image, said image impinging on one side of said photodetector when said wavelength scale is properly calibrated.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
16 words
The system as claimed in claims 16 or 17 wherein said logic circuit is a microcomputer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
126 words
19 A method for maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to diperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of measuring the magnitude and direction of shift occurring in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; and either shifting said image position by an amount equal to, butjnadirection opposite said measured shift so that diffracted images of said entry point emanating from the diffraction grating are likewise shifted and, thereby, the wavelength scale recalibrated, or relabeling the outputs of the wavelength scale by an amount derived from said measured shift so that the wavelength scale is recalibrated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
126 words
19 A method for maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to diperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of measuring the magnitude and direction of shift occurring in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; and either shifting said image position by an amount equal to, butjnadirection opposite said measured shift so that diffracted images of said entry point emanating from the diffraction grating are likewise shifted and, thereby, the wavelength scale recalibrated, or relabeling the outputs of the wavelength scale by an amount derived from said measured shift so that the wavelength scale is recalibrated.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to disperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of measuring the magnitude and direction of shift occurring in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; and shifting said image position by an amount equal to, but in a direction opposite said measured shift so that diffracted images of said entry point emanating from the diffraction grating are likewise shifted and, thereby, the wavelength scale recalibrated.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to disperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of measuring the magnitude and direction of shift occurring in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; and shifting said image position by an amount equal to, but in a direction opposite said measured shift so that diffracted images of said entry point emanating from the diffraction grating are likewise shifted and, thereby, the wavelength scale recalibrated.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to disperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths in proper calibration, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of measuring the magnitude and direction of shift occurring in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; and relabeling the outputs of the wavelength scale by an amount derived from said measured shift so that the wavelength scale is recalibrated.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of maintaining the wavelength scale calibration of a spectrometer or monochromator utilizing a diffraction grating to disperse light entering the spectrometer or monochromator into its component wavelengths in proper calibration, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of measuring the magnitude and direction of shift occurring in the position of an undiffracted image of the entering light's entry point emanating from the diffraction grating; and relabeling the outputs of the wavelength scale by an amount derived from said measured shift so that the wavelength scale is recalibrated.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
66 words
The method as claimed in any of claims 19 to 21 wherein said magnitude and direction of shift are measured by sensing a change in the ratio of the intensity of said undiffracted image impinging on one side of said image's focal position when said wavelength scale is properly calibrated, to the intensity of said undiffracted image impinging on the other side of said focal position.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
31 words
The method as claimed in any of claims 19 to 21 wherein said magnitude and direction of shift are measured by sensing absolute changes in the intensity of said undiffracted image.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
26 words
The method ss claimed in claims 19 or 20 wherein said image position is shifted by adjusting mechanical and/or optical structures of said spectrometer or monochromator.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
18 words
The method as claimed in claims 19 or 21 wherein said relabeling is accomplished by a logic circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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