Abstract:
A device for use in the control of mechanical forces. The device comprises first and second terminals for connection, in use, to components in a system for controlling mechanical forces and independently moveable (2, 3). Hydraulic means are connected between the terminals and contain a liquid, the hydraulic means configured, in 4 use, to produce upon relative movement of the terminals, a liquid (4) flow along at least two flow paths (5, 15, 90). The liquid flow along a first flow path generates a damping force proportional to the velocity of the liquid flow along the first flow path, and the liquid flow along a second flow path generates an inertial force due to the mass of the liquid, the force being substantially proportional to the acceleration of the liquid flow along the second flow path, such that the damping force is equal to the inertial force and controls the mechanical forces at the terminals.
Abstract:
A spectrometer includes: a collimating element configured for collimating a beam of light into a first one of a cross-dispersing element and an echelle grating, the grating in optical communication with the cross-dispersing element; a focusing element for receiving the light from a second one of the cross-dispersing element and the echelle grating and focusing wavelengths of the light onto a spatial light modulator; the spatial light modulator configured for selectively directing the wavelengths onto a detector for detection. A method of use and the method of fabrication are provided.
Abstract:
A device for use in the control of mechanical forces is provided. The device includes first and second terminals for connection to components in a system for controlling mechanical forces and independently moveable. The device further comprises a hydraulic device connected between the terminals and containing a liquid. The hydraulic device is configured to produce upon relative movement of the terminals, a liquid flow to generate an inertial force due to the mass of the liquid to control the mechanical forces at the terminals such that they are substantially proportional to the relative acceleration between the terminals.
Abstract:
An adjustable two-dimensional lamellar grating system including a lamellar grating and a movable mirror disposed substantially parallel to one another, and an interferometer using the adjustable lamellar grating system. In one example, the lamellar grating includes a dielectric wafer having a dielectric wafer having a plurality of periodically spaced recesses formed therein, wherein the dielectric wafer has higher reflectivity at its surface facing the movable mirror than at a second opposing surface. In one example, the system also includes a mechanism for moving the mirror relative to the dielectric wafer.
Abstract:
A sample cell for a spectrometer, and a spectrometer using such a sample cell. The sample cell may include a housing having a reflective inner surface which is at least a section of a spheroid bounding a cavity. A lens system receives electromagnetic radiation from a source and directs a converging beam through a port in the cavity to a focal point inside the cavity, such that the beam undergoes multiple reflections on the inner surface before exiting the cavity. Arrangements for adjusting beam cross-sectional area and angle are optionally provided. Methods which can be performed on such an apparatus and computer program products for performing such methods are further provided.
Abstract:
A side-looking optical probe for a Raman spectroscopy system is provided. The probe includes: a base for mounting the probe to an optical assembly of the system; and a prism mounted to the base, the prism configured for receiving signal light from a sample and providing the signal light to the system. A method of fabrication and a spectrometer are provided.
Abstract:
An apparatus for processing electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus comprises a dielectric reflector, a plurality of ridges disposed on the dielectric reflector and a plurality of grooves disposed intermediate adjacent ridges to form a diffraction grating. Each of the ridges comprises a first dielectric material disposed on the dielectric reflector having a first index of refraction and a second dielectric material, having a second index of refraction different than the first index of refraction, disposed on the first dielectric material.
Abstract:
An optically bidirectional electrically controlled optical switch having reduced light loss includes an electro-optic crystal having one set of fast and slow optical axes and having at least two light paths for receiving light beams through the crystal, the crystal exhibiting electric field induced birefringence such that a light beam passing through the crystal along a light path and having a plane of polarization oriented in a first direction may have its plane of polarization switched from the first direction to a plane of polarization oriented in a second direction. Beam splitting polarizers are disposed at each end of the electro-optic crystal and optically aligned with the two light paths. The beam splitting polarizers split the optical beam into two light beams having planes of polarization oriented in the first and second directions when transmitting light to the two light paths and combine the two light beams into a single light beam when receiving light beams from the two light paths. Substantially 100% of the unpolarized light input to the optical switch is transferred to the output due to the use of the beam splitting polarizers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electro-optic crystal is a cubic crystal chosen from crystal classes 43 m, 42m, or 23.