Abstract A multiple pass optical absorption cell of the type having a pair of objective mirrors and a field mirror, all having substantially the same radius of curvature and with the entrance and exit windows positioned to one side of the field mirror. In this invention, the two objective mirrors are positioned on a common mount with a fixed predetermined distance separating their centers of curvature. Path length is changed by rotation of the common mount, whereby the distance between the centers of curvature remains fixed. The foregoing abstract is not to be taken either as a complete exposition or as a limitation of the present invention, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be had to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings as well as to the claims.
In a multiple pass optical absorption cell of the type including an elongated housing containing first and second adjacent spherical objective mirrors at one end thereof, a spherical field mirror at the other end thereof, and radiation entrance and exit windows at the same side of said field mirror, the improvement which comprises: a common mount supporting both of said objective mirrors with their centers of curvature separated a preselected distance; and means for rotating said mount to move said centers of curvature relative to said field mirror to vary the optical path length through said cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a multiple pass optical absorption cell of the type including an elongated housing containing first and second adjacent spherical objective mirrors at one end thereof, a spherical field mirror at the other end thereof, and radiation entrance and exit windows at the same side of said field mirror, the improvement which comprises: a common mount supporting both of said objective mirrors with their centers of curvature separated a preselected distance; and means for rotating said mount to move said centers of curvature relative to said field mirror to vary the optical path length through said cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said rotating means comprises a pair of aligned pivots displaced from the juncture of said objective mirrors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein each of said pivots is eccentrically mounted in a selectively rotatable disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said mount comprises a plate member having a hinge portion substantially at the juncture of said objective mirrors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said hinge portion is a thinner section of said plate member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said mount comprises means for adjustably varying the angle formed by said plate member about its hinge portion to adjust said preselected distance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein said varying means comprises: an elongated member having one end fixedly secured to one hinged portion of said plate member and having its other end spaced from the other hinged portion; and adjusting screw means threaded through said other end in engagement with the other hinged portion of said plate member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said rotating means comprises: means for resiliently urging said mount in a first direction of rotation; and an adjustable stop member limiting said rotation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
the improvement of claim 8 wherein said resilient means is a spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 8 wherein said stop member is a screw supported in said housing.