Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Patent
1991-05-10
1992-11-17
Nelms, David C.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
356244, G01N 2155, G01N 2163
Patent
active
051645890
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a novel means for coupling light between two light transmitting media, and more particularly to a reusable solid type means for non-permanent light coupling.
The conventional way of making a non-permanent passive (i.e. not refracting or diffracting) light coupling between two light transmitting elements consists in sealingly connecting the two elements by an immersion oil, or in some applications, an uncured silicone rubber composition, having a suitable refractive index. This requires an accurate amount of the coupling medium to be dispensed, making necessary either manual handling or mechanical equipment. The immersion oil must also be removed from one or both elements for each new coupling operation to obtain a good light coupling without disturbing air bubbles. Such removal of the immersion oil by wiping it off or other cleaning is also a messy and time-consuming procedure which in addition to involving the risk of scratching the optical surfaces is difficult to automate in, for example, a commercial measuring instrument. Furthermore, the oil may easily contaminate or smear instrument parts, optical details and sensing surfaces which, of course, is a considerable inconvenience particularly in commercial type apparatuses.
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved passive light coupling means devoid of the above mentioned and other disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art non-permanent light coupling means, preferably for use in an optical imaging system.
Another object of the invention is to provide a reusable passive light coupling means having a matching refractive index with regard to at least one of the media between which it is to couple light to ensure low refractive index losses, substantially no light refraction or diffraction, and low scattering of light, and which will maintain the polarization directions of the light.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a passive light coupling means which is reusable, i.e. that may be repeatedly connected or "docked" to the same or other solid light transmitting media, but which may be replaced in case of contamination or if otherwise made unusable.
The above mentioned and other objects are achieved by a reusable optical solid type interface means for nonpermanent passive coupling of light between two light transmitting media, such as between a solid optically transparent medium, e.g. a glass prism, and another optical medium, e.g. glass, water or air.
In one embodiment the optical interface means (hereinafter sometimes simply called "optointerface") of the invention comprises a support member, and one or more (shaped) members of an optically transparent elastic or resilient material supported by said support member and adapted to contact at least one of said light transmitting media and having a matching refractive index with respect thereto.
The support means may merely provide a frame for the elastic material body or bodies, the latter being suspended therein, in which case the support means need not be transparent, or the elastic material body or bodies may be attached to one or both faces of a transparent support means, such as a transparent plate or disk, or a lens or prism. In the latter case the transparent elastic material should, of course, have a matching refractive index also with regard to the support means. Particularly in the last-mentioned case the support means may preferably be provided with a holder or the like to facilitate the handling of the unit.
The term "matching refractive index" used herein is a relative one and means that the refractive index of the elastic material should be appropriately matched or adapted to the contacting media in accordance with each particular application. For instance, in case the incident light is normal to a planar interfacial contact surface between the light coupling means and the solid medium or media, rather "extensive" differences between the refractive indices of the respective material may be tolerated, whereas only moderat
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Allen S.
Nelms David C.
Pharmacia Biosensor AB
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