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US4191475A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Process and apparatus for analyzing a sample by emission spectrography

Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1977-04-07
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Granted: 1980-03-04
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Expires: 1997-04-07
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for analyzing a sample by emission spectrography comprising a laser, optical means for focusing light emitted by the laser onto the surface of the sample, the power of the laser being sufficient to volatilize and excite the substances constituting the sample and a spectrograph which analyzes the light emitted by the surface of the sample, wherein the angle of impact α of the light emitted by the latter and focused on the surface of the sample is greater than 10° and the optical axis of the spectrograph passes through the impact point of the laser beam on the sample and is perpendicular to the surface of said sample. An application is to the analysis of glass samples used for the vitrification of nuclear fission products.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michel Sourrouille

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 08:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/71; G01N21/718

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 141 words
A process for the analysis of a sample by emission spectrography according to which a laser beam is directed onto a sample with an intensity which is sufficient to volatilize and excite the constituent bodies of the sample at the impact point of the laser beam and the plasma created by the volatilized and excited bodies is observed by means of a spectrograph, wherein the laser beam is directed onto the surface of the sample in accordance with an angle of impact of α greater than 10° and the optical observation axis of the spectrograph is oriented perpendicular to the surface of the sample, said optical axis passing through the impact point of the laser beam on the sample, the vicinity of the sample during volatilization being subjected to a continuous electrical field substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 141 words
A process for the analysis of a sample by emission spectrography according to which a laser beam is directed onto a sample with an intensity which is sufficient to volatilize and excite the constituent bodies of the sample at the impact point of the laser beam and the plasma created by the volatilized and excited bodies is observed by means of a spectrograph, wherein the laser beam is directed onto the surface of the sample in accordance with an angle of impact of α greater than 10° and the optical observation axis of the spectrograph is oriented perpendicular to the surface of the sample, said optical axis passing through the impact point of the laser beam on the sample, the vicinity of the sample during volatilization being subjected to a continuous electrical field substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 25 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the sample to be analysed is placed in an atmosphere under a pressure which is below atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 104 words
A process for the analysis of a sample by emission spectrographay according to which a laser beam is directed onto a sample with an intensity which is sufficient to volatilize and excite the constituent bodies of the sample at the impact point of the laser beam and the plasma created by the volatilzed and excited bodies is observed by means of a spectrograph, wherein the sample to be analysed is placed in an atmosphere under a pressure which is below atmospheric pressure, the vicinity of the sample during volatilization being subjected to a continuous electrical field substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 104 words
A process for the analysis of a sample by emission spectrographay according to which a laser beam is directed onto a sample with an intensity which is sufficient to volatilize and excite the constituent bodies of the sample at the impact point of the laser beam and the plasma created by the volatilzed and excited bodies is observed by means of a spectrograph, wherein the sample to be analysed is placed in an atmosphere under a pressure which is below atmospheric pressure, the vicinity of the sample during volatilization being subjected to a continuous electrical field substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 132 words
An apparatus for analysing a sample by emission spectrography comprising a laser, optical means for focusing light emitted by the laser onto the surface of the sample, the power of the laser being sufficient to volatilize and excite the substances constituting the sample and a spectrograph which analyses the light emitted by the surface of the sample, wherein the angle of impact α of the light emitted by the laser and focused on the surface of the sample is greater than 10° and the optical axis of the spectrograph passes through the impact point of the laser beam on the sample and is perpendicular to the surface of said sample and, in the vicinity of the sample, means for creating a continuous electrical field substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 132 words
An apparatus for analysing a sample by emission spectrography comprising a laser, optical means for focusing light emitted by the laser onto the surface of the sample, the power of the laser being sufficient to volatilize and excite the substances constituting the sample and a spectrograph which analyses the light emitted by the surface of the sample, wherein the angle of impact α of the light emitted by the laser and focused on the surface of the sample is greater than 10° and the optical axis of the spectrograph passes through the impact point of the laser beam on the sample and is perpendicular to the surface of said sample and, in the vicinity of the sample, means for creating a continuous electrical field substantially perpendicular to the surface of the sample.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 33 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein it also comprises a tight chamber with sealed optical passages for introducing the laser light and for observation purposes, the sample being placed in said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it also comprises means for checking the gas pressure in the tight chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 13 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the laser is a Q-switched laser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the laser is a relaxed operating laser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 24 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein it also comprises, in the vicinity of the sample, means for creating a high frequency electrical field.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 32 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein it also comprises an ion collector associated with means for measuring the collected charge, said ion collector being located in the vicinity of the sample.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 21 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sample is of a material used for the vitrification of nuclear fission products.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3188180A Cited
US3841757A Cited
US3832558A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-03-04 1983-09-03 1984-03-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-03-04 1987-09-03 1988-03-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-03-04 1991-09-03 1992-03-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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