Gerald L Hooper

US Patent:

40308294, Jun 21, 1977

Filed:

Apr 12, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/676075

Inventors:

Gerald E. Hooper - Los Altos Hills CA

Assignee:

Varian Associates - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01J 342

US Classification:

356 97

Abstract:

In a double beam spectrophotometer employing a rotating optical chopper to direct a beam of electromagnetic radiation alternately through sample and reference channels to a photomultiplier tube, a beam interrupter is used in combination with a photodiode and a photocell to generate a square wave signal having a predetermined temporal relation to the rotation of the optical chopper. The square wave signal is integrated to provide a triangular waveform, whose maxima and minima correspond, respectively, to the passage of the beam through one or the other of the sample and reference channels, and whose cross-over points with respect to a zero reference level correspond to dark intervals during which the beam is blocked from entering either channel. Keying circuitry responsive to the cross-over points provides for detection of dark current generated by the photomultiplier tube, while keying circuitry responsive to the maxima and minima synchronizes analysis circuitry associated with the sample and reference channels with the passing of the beam therethrough and provides for correction of the output of the photomultiplier tube to compensate for dark current.