William Wallace Archer

US Patent:

6008894, Dec 28, 1999

Filed:

Jul 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/122854

Inventors:

John E. Schmucker - Hurt VA
Raymond J. Blasi - Harrison City PA
William B. Archer - Bethel Park PA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01J 344

US Classification:

356301

Abstract:

A remote adjustable focus Raman spectroscopy probe allows for analyzing Raman scattered light from a point of interest external probe. An environmental barrier including at least one window separates the probe from the point of interest. An optical tube is disposed adjacent to the environmental barrier and includes a long working length compound lens objective next to the window. A beam splitter and a mirror are at the other end. A mechanical means is used to translated the prove body in the X, Y, and Z directions resulting in a variable focus optical apparatus. Laser light is reflected by the beam splitter and directed toward the compound lens objective, then through the window and focused on the point of interest. Raman scattered light is then collected by the compound lens objective and directed through the beam splitter to a mirror. A device for analyzing the light, such as a monochrometer, is coupled to the mirror.

US Patent:

61155284, Sep 5, 2000

Filed:

Sep 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/157266

Inventors:

John E. Schmucker - Hurt VA
Jon C. Falk - Pittsburgh PA
William B. Archer - Bethel Park PA
Raymond J. Blasi - Harrison City PA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

385138

Abstract:

This invention provides a device for Raman spectroscopic measurement of composition and concentrations in a hostile environment by the use of a first fiber optic as a means of directing high intensity monochromatic light from a laser to the hostile environment and a second fiber optic to receive the lower intensity scattered light for transmittal to a monochromator for analysis. To avoid damage to the fiber optics, they are protected from the hostile environment. A preferred embodiment of the Raman fiber optic probe is able to obtain Raman spectra of corrosive gases and solutions at temperatures up to 600. degree. F. and pressures up to 2000 psi. The incident exciting fiber optic cable makes an angle of substantially 90. degree. with the collecting fiber optic cable. This 90. degree. geometry minimizes the Rayleigh scattering signal picked up by the collecting fiber, because the intensity of Rayleigh scattering is lowest in the direction perpendicular to the beam path of the exciting light and therefore a 90. degree.