| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080204743 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO IN RAMAN SIGNAL DETECTION FOR MEMS BASED SPECTROMETERS - A method of Raman detection for a portable, integrated spectrometer instrument includes directing Raman scattered photons by a sample to an avalanche photodiode (APD), the APD configured to generate an output signal responsive to the intensity of the Raman scattered photons incident thereon. The output signal of the APD is amplified and passed through a discriminator so as to reject at least one or more of amplifier noise and dark noise. A number of discrete output pulses within a set operational range of the discriminator is counted so as to determine a number of photons detected by the APD. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080239306 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL POWER MANAGEMENT - A system and method for managing optical power for controlling thermal alteration of a sample undergoing spectroscopic analysis is provided. The system includes a moveable laser beam generator for irradiating the sample and a beam shaping device for moving and shaping the laser beam to prevent thermal overload or build up in the sample. The moveable laser beam generator includes at least one beam shaping device selected from the group consisting of at least one optical lens, at least one optical diffractor, at least one optical path difference modulator, at least one moveable mirror, at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) integrated circuit (IC), and/or a liquid droplet. The system also includes an at least two degree of freedom (2 DOF) moveable substrate platform and a controller for controlling the laser beam generator and the substrate platform, and for analyzing light reflected from the sample. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20090201497 | OPTOFLUIDIC DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - An optofluidic device is provided. The device includes a cladding region having a first refractive index, and a channel defined by the cladding region such that the cladding region forms an inner surface or an interface of the channel. The channel is configured to house one or more of a liquid, a solid, a gas, a colloidal, or a suspension sample, wherein the sample has a second refractive index, where the channel is configured to guide radiation, and where the first refractive index is lower than the second refractive index. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090257055 | HOLLOW-CORE WAVEGUIDE-BASED RAMAN SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments of the invention include a system for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules, such as, for example, nitrogen. Other embodiments include a method for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules. The system may include a light source, a hollow-core wave-guiding device that exhibits a low attenuation at predetermined operating optical frequencies and is in optical communication with the light source, a gas introduction system for introducing a gaseous medium between the light source and the hollow-core wave-guiding device, and a detector in optical communication with the hollow-core wave-guiding device. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20100007876 | HOLLOW-CORE WAVEGUIDE-BASED RAMAN SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments of the invention include a method for sensing. Other embodiments include a method for sensing molecules, for example, homonuclear diatomic molecules. The method may include transmitting light from a light source through a hollow-core wave-guiding device that exhibits a low attenuation at predetermined operating optical frequencies; introducing a gaseous medium between the light source and the hollow-core wave-guiding device; and detecting molecules within the gas. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100182608 | IRREGULARLY SHAPED ACTUATOR FINGERS FOR A MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM FABRY-PEROT FILTER - According to one embodiment, a micro-electrical mechanical system apparatus includes (i) a comb drive actuator having at least one irregularly shaped finger and (ii) a movable Fabry-Perot filter cavity mirror coupled to the comb drive actuator. According to some embodiments, a relationship between a voltage applied to the comb drive actuator and an amount of displacement associated with the movable mirror is substantially linear. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100220331 | Micro-electromechanical system fabry-perot filter cavity - According to some embodiments, a micro-electrical mechanical system apparatus includes an actuator within a plane and at least one movable mirror oriented substantially normal to the plane. The actuator may move the movable mirror with respect to a fixed mirror oriented substantially normal to the plane and substantially parallel to the movable mirror. The space between the fixed and movable mirrors might comprise, for example, a Fabry-Perot filter cavity for a spectrometer. | 09-02-2010 |
