Patent ID: 6355930
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
An infrared spectrometer adapted to capture spectral data at high frequency comprising: a base, an aperture defining element fixed to the base for periodically admitting infrared radiation, at least one spectrum splitting element fixed to the base for dividing admitted infrared radiation into spectral components, an at least one dimensional array of PbSe pixels, the array extending over a selected length and having a selected width, the array being fixed to the base to intercept the spectral components of the admitted radiation over a range from about 2.5 &mgr;m to about 4.6 &mgr;m for generating a set of data indicative of the spectral component intensities, the array of pixels being fixed to the base so that the dispersion of spectral components is distributed in a dispersion direction over less than the entire length of the array and so that the spectral components are distributed in the cross-dispersion direction over more than the width of the array, a data collection element coupled to the at least one dimension array and coupled to the aperture defining element for collecting the set of data at least once during each opening of the aperture defining element, and a serial output on the data collection element for providing a list of data values representative of the spectral intensity at each pixel following each collection of data.