Patent ID: 6783705
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
A method for calibrating an optical instrument which optical instrument has a spectral light source, said light source capable of emitting light in the far UV range which light travels along a light path and which light comprises at least one wavelength, means for receiving a sample said within said light path, and a sensor assembly for receiving light and producing a signal, said sensor assembly producing a signal upon receiving light having said wavelength, the calibration method comprising the steps of:disposing a calibration medium so as to be in said light path between the light source and the sensor assembly said light source emitting light in the UV spectral range, said calibration medium including a sol-gel glass monolith for receiving and transmitting light along a said light path, said sol-gel glass monolith having constituents comprising a rare-earth dopant therein; said constituents of the sol-gel glass monolith selected so the rare-earth doped sol-gel glass monolith exhibits a transmittance in the far UV range so at least one spectral feature of the rare-earth dopant in the far UV range is discernable and corresponds to a wavelength comprising a control value to allow the signal of said sensor assemble receiving light having said wavelength corresponding to said control value to be compared to a standard for determining the calibration of said optical instrument; sensing the light passing through the calibration medium with said sensor assemble to produce signal; and, comparing the signal to at least one other signal to determine the calibration of said optical instrument.