Abstract:
An atomic absorption spectrometer which combines the advantages of double beam background correction, continuous source lamp operation, insensitivity to sample region emission, and inexpensive construction, includes a fixed beam splittercombiner, combines radiation from a line source with that from a deuterium or hydrogen source and simultaneously splits the combined radiation into sample and reference beams. These beams are chopped ahead of the sample region and are recombined beyond the sample region by a second beam splitter-combiner. The recombined beam then goes through a monochromator and onto a detector. The resulting signal is analyzed electronically to yield background and spectral line intensities in both the sample and reference beams.
Abstract:
An electrodeless RF excited gas arc lamp for producing sufficient light to pump a laser consists of a transparent envelope containing an inert gas, namely krypton, xenon or argon, with a coil around or adjacent the envelope and a source of RF voltage to apply sufficient voltage to the coil to maintain a plasma in the gas. For pumping a laser rod the lamp is mounted adjacent to the laser rod and is preferably cooled, as by mounting the lamp envelope and laser rod in a cooled chamber. A reflector is arranged to direct back toward the rod that light from the lamp which is not initially absorbed in the rod, and a filter may be mounted to filter out at least a portion of any unwanted components of light from the lamp (e.g., the ultraviolet component) before it impinges on the laser rod. In a preferred form, the lamp envelope is an annular chamber with a laser rod mounted through the annulus.
Abstract:
A scanning monochromator includes a plurality of diffraction gratings mounted on a rotatable turret, so that each grating may be moved and precisely indexed into operative position. Each grating so positioned is angularly rotated about its axis by the same scanning arm, driven by a cam having two similar (but different) contours for producing one of two similar scanning functions for the various gratings. Preferably more interchangeable order-separating filters than gratings are included to insure complete and efficient filtering (e.g., 14 filters for 7 gratings). Both the stepping of the grating turret and of the filters (e.g., on a filter wheel) are controlled by (digital) signals, derived from the actual wavenumber being separated, as precisely read by (coarse and fine) digital encoder discs on the wavenumber scanning driving shafts (before and after a large-ratio reduction system). The digital control signals and a signal indicating the operative grating provide a readout of the wavenumber, directly usable by data processing apparatus. The closed loop digital nature of the control signals are free of any non-systematic errors, and allow the instrument to be ''''indexed'''' to any desired wavenumber (and then ''''instructed'''' to scan to any other wavenumber automatically).
Abstract:
A gas generation accessory for an atomic absorption spectrophotometer includes a reaction vessel for holding a sample and an acid. The sample includes an element from a group including arsenic and selenium. A dosing column is coupled to the reaction vessel and a gas-tight stopcock is mounted in the dosing column and includes a cavity for holding a metal such as zinc. The stopcock is rotatable for projecting the metal into the acid to cause a reaction to release hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas in turn reacts with the element in the sample to produce a gaseous hydride. The gaseous hydride is collected in an elastic reservoir and stored under pressure until the completion of the reaction. Thereupon the gaseous hydride in the elastic reservoir is carried into the atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the element appears in a substantial concentration for a relatively short time. This permits the resonance lines of the element to be recorded and the element detected.
Abstract:
An apparatus for increasing the stabilization of a logarithmic amplifier. In the embodiment disclosed, a first operational amplifier is provided to yield a logarithmic output. A semiconductor device for providing a first logarithmic transfer characteristic is connected to the first amplifier. In order to prevent variation in the amplifier output resulting from the varying parameters of the semi-conductor device, the second amplifier is provided with the semi-conductor device and connected differentially to the first amplifier. The semiconductor devices utilizes first and second PN junctions of semiconductor material mounted in intimate thermal coupling on a single header or alternatively utilizes a monolithic integrated circuit including a substrate of semiconductor material and means on the substrate for providing the logarithmic transfer characteristic for the first amplifier and means for the substrate for providing the logarithmic transfer characteristic for the second amplifier both deposited on the substrate in intimate thermal coupling with each other.
Abstract:
An interferometer for precisely measuring the displacement of an object of the type including means: for reflecting from the object position a ''''measuring'''' beam of a first polarization condition, for combining therewith a ''''standard'''' beam of a second polarization condition, and for producing signals representative of interference produced between both beams, which signals vary according to the distance travelled by the measuring beam. The improvement involves causing the final signals developed to be free of any d.c. component, caused both (a) by background (unpolarized and/or depolarized) radiation, and (b) by the average (d.c.) level of the significant polarized radiation which generates the object distance a.c. signals. The specific embodiment provides three original object distance varying signals (A, B, C) with the second in phase opposition and the third in quadrature to the first. The algebraic difference (X) of the first two (A-B) and the difference (Y) of the third less the average of the first two (C - A + B/2) will both be free of any d.c. component caused by either background or average signal amplitude. These (X and Y) derived final a.c. signals provide precise actual measurement (interference ''''fringe'''' count) since they are exactly symmetrical to the zero level.
Abstract:
In a laser comprising an enclosure and a pair of electrodes therein, a stream of inert gas is flowed out through the bore of a hollow negative electrode. An electric discharge is produced in the stream by means of a potential difference between the electrodes. Ions from the discharge are attracted into the negative electrode, bombarding it and causing electron emission. The emitted electrons excite ions in the discharge to the upper laser energy level. Laser action is achieved by providing a resonant optical cavity.
Abstract:
A highly corrected compact optical system which has a large telephoto ratio, and which is particularly adapted for a photographic objective, is provided by a catadioptric system consisting of a solid refractive support which has a portion of smaller diameter projecting from its forward end and internal reflecting surfaces on its opposite end. An annular convergent reflecting surface on the rear end of the support reflects incoming light back through the support to a circular divergent reflecting surface which is on the forward end of the forwardly projecting portion and which reflects the light back through the opening at the center of the annular reflecting surface where a series of lenses are suitably provided for increasing the focal length of the system and correcting for some aberrations. Light enters the system through an afocal doublet at the front of the system consisting of a positive lens in front of a negative lens with an air space between; this doublet has an axial aperture through it and is positioned at the front of the support, around the forwardly projecting portion. The positive lens and the support are both of the same material which has substantially the same dispersive power as the material of the negative lens but a much lower (about 17 percent lower) refractive index, so that apochromatism is achieved with rather shallow spherical surfaces, which avoid zonal spherical aberration and the need for aspheric surfaces.
Abstract:
An electron spectrometer suitable for use in Electron Spectroscopy Chemical Analysis, or in Auger Electron Spectroscopy employs either an X-ray source or an electron beam source for exciting electrons from the surface of a test sample in vacuum. A substantial free drift path through a wide spherical angle is provided for ejected electrons, together with a pair of spaced apart spherically shaped retarding potential grids having a plurality of fringing field correction rings therebetween and the situs of a test sample as the center of their curvature, a cylindrical pot-shaped general electron integral current collector anode lined with a negatively biased screen grid secondary electron repeller, and a small conically shaped selective electron, differential current collector insulatingly passed through a central coaxial opening in the anode and connected to an electron multiplier output. The entire structure is enclosed in a vacuum within an external ferromagnetic casing which provides both electrostatic and electromagnetic shielding. Additionally an external magnetic shield is employed, or Helmholtz coils may be used, to reduce stray magnetic fields to not more than 10 milligauss. The device accommodates relatively large test samples, employs no input or output slits and hence provides a substantially greater signal level than prior spectrometers, and is capable of high resolution of the order of 0.04 percent.
Abstract:
A scanning monochromator includes a plurality of diffraction gratings mounted on a rotatable turret, so that each grating may be moved and precisely indexed into operative position. Each grating so positioned is angularly rotated about its axis by the same scanning arm, driven by a cam having two similar (but different) contours for producing one of two similar scanning functions for the various gratings. Preferably more interchangeable order-separating filters than gratings are included to insure complete and efficient filtering (e.g., 14 filters for 7 gratings). Both the stepping of the grating turret and of the filters (e.g., on a filter wheel) are controlled by (digital) signals, derived from the actual wavenumber being separated, as precisely read by (coarse and fine) digital encoder discs on the wavenumber scanning driving shafts (before and after a large-ratio reduction system). The digital control signals and a signal indicating the operative grating provide a readout of the wavenumber, directly usable by data processing apparatus. The closed loop digital nature of the control signals are free of any non-systematic errors, and allow the instrument to be ''''indexed'''' to any desired wavenumber (and then ''''instructed'''' to scan to any other wavenumber automatically).