Title:
MICRO-OPTIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2002001204
Kind Code:
A9
Abstract:
An infrared absorption spectrometer (10) features an optical microcavity (12), and a waveguide (18) that evanescently couples light into the microcavity (12). The optical resonance frequency of the microcavity (12) is tuned to coincide with an atomic or molecular resonance frequency of a selected atom or molecule. In this way, light coupled into the microcavity (12) will experience absorption in the presence of an atomic or molecular substance. The absorption causes a measurable change in the evanescent light coupling into the microcavity (12). The detection sensitivity of the spectrometer (10) is significantly increased, compared to prior art spectrometers, because of the high Q value of the microcavity (12) and the ensuing long optical path lengths of the resonant modes traveling within the microcavity (12).
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Inventors:
TAPALIAN HAIG CHARLES
LAINE JUHA-PEKKA
LAINE JUHA-PEKKA
Application Number:
PCT/US2001/020966
Publication Date:
October 10, 2002
Filing Date:
June 28, 2001
Export Citation:
Assignee:
DRAPER LAB CHARLES S (US)
International Classes:
G01J3/42; G01J9/00; G01N21/35; G01N21/77; G01P15/093; G01P15/097; G01P15/10; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/24; (IPC1-7): G01N21/65; G02B6/12
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