Patent ID: 6590660
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
A spectrometer assembly, comprising:a substrate having thereon a plurality of optical sensors and one or more processing elements; a plurality of interference filter elements fixedly positioned over at least a first group of the sensors and fixedly positioned with respect to the substrate, wherein the plurality of filter elements have spectral transmission characteristics over one or more predetermined spectral bands; an optical manifold fixedly positioned over at least certain of the plurality of filter elements and fixedly positioned with respect to the substrate, wherein the optical manifold has a plurality of exit port areas and at least one entrance port area, wherein light entering the entrance port area is transmitted to an interior portion of the optical manifold, wherein at least a portion of the light is transmitted from the exit port areas through at least certain of the filter elements and is sensed by at least certain of the sensors; and a spacer element positioned between the plurality of exit port areas and the plurality of interference filter elements, wherein the spacer element limits the angle of incidence of light that is incident on the plurality of interference filter elements; wherein light may be coupled to the entrance port area, wherein at least first spectral data corresponding to the light is generated by the one or more processing elements, wherein the spectrometer assembly is fabricated in a fixed manner with respect to the substrate.