Patent ID: 8975604
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
1. An infrared source, comprising: a silicon nitride infrared element configured to be exposed to the ambient atmosphere, wherein said silicon nitride infrared element provides infrared radiation at desired wavelengths when heated to a predetermined temperature range; and an insulator coupled with said silicon nitride infrared element, the insulator configured so as to reach a collaborative temperature range provided by the generated heat from said silicon nitride infrared element, wherein said insulator at said collaborative temperature range provides for one or more desired infrared emission spectral bands that co-add with the output emission of said silicon nitride infrared element so as to eliminate spectral deficiencies resulting from said silicon nitride infrared element reaching said collaborative temperature range, wherein one or more walls of said insulator are configured as a conical interior that converges towards an opening formed by said walls that defines an optical aperture of said source so as to enhance co-added emission of said insulator and said silicon nitride infrared element optical spectral output and additionally match a field of view of a coupled spectrometer imaging element, wherein the surface of said walls which form said conical interior are exposed such that said desired infrared emission spectral bands are emitted from said surface and co-add with the output emission of said silicon nitride infrared element, and further wherein said conical interior is characterized by an outside diameter at one end and a smaller, inside diameter at an opposing end and wherein said walls which form said conical interior are further configured to provide an elongated channel which extends from said opposing end of said conical interior and terminates at said opening which defines said optical aperture, said elongated channel characterized by a length defined from said opposing end to said opening, and further wherein said silicon nitride infrared element is nested within said elongated channel and positioned at said opening such that within said elongated channel said insulator contacts all sides of said silicon nitride infrared element except for an exposed surface at said opening.