Optical system for use in automatic, simultaneous multielement atomic spectroscopy sample analysis apparatus

Claim 2

In an optical system for use in atomic spectroscopy sample analysis apparatus including a plurality of radiation sources which are effective to emit radiation of different wavelengths for the irradiation of a sample flame, the improvements comprising, first optic means comprising a plurality of toroidal mirror means for reflecting the radiation from said plurality of radiation sources and focusing said radiation substantially at the same volume of said sample flame to irradiate the latter, each of said mirror means being in substantial optical alignment with a corresponding one of said radiation sources and arranged relative thereto so that substantially all of the radiation from each of said radiation sources will impinge on said corresponding one of said mirror means for reflection and focusing thereby at said sample flame volume.

Claim 3

In an optical system as in claim 1 wherein, each of said mirrors is arranged to reflect the radiation from the corresponding radiation source through an angle of approximately 90* for focusing substantially at said sample flame volume.

Claim 4

In an optical system as in claim 1 wherein, said plurality of radiation sources are arranged in a generally circular array thereof, and said plurality of mirror means are arranged in a generally circular array thereof which is disposed generally centrally of said generally circular radiation source array.

Claim 5

In an optical system as in claim 1 further comprising, mirror mounting means which take the form of a generally frusto-conical mirror mounting member, said mirrors being mounted at generally equally spaced intervals around the periphery of said mounting member.

Claim 6

In an optical system as in claim 1 wherein, said atomic spectroscopy sample analysis apparatus further comprise detector means including a radiation detector, the further improvements comprising, second optic means for observing substantially only said irradiated sample flame volume and focusing the radiation therefrom substantially on said radiation detector, said second optic means comprising spaced primary and secondary mirrors, said primary mirror comprising a concave spherical mirror having a generally centrally disposed aperture extending therethrough and said secondary mirror comprising a convex spherical mirror disposed in substantial alignment with said aperture, said primary mirror being effective to observe said irradiated flame volume and to reflect the radiation therefrom and focus the same substantially on the reflective surface of said secondary mirror, said secondary mirror being effective to reflect said radiation from said primary mirror and focus the same through said primary mirror aperture substantially on said radiation detector, said secondary mirror being disposed between said sample flame volume and said primary mirror to prevent the passage of radiation from said sample flame volume directly through said primary mirror aperture to said radiation detector.