Patent ID: 8159668
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. A spectrometer for measuring information from sample material moving at a distance, the spectrometer comprising: a) a broad band light source for delivering irradiance to a small area on moving sample material at a distance; b) a light guide with an input end and an exit end, receiving back reflected, scattered or transmitted radiation from the sample to the input end and homogenising this radiation spatially to the exit end after multiple reflections inside the light guide; c) a linear variable filter receiving spatially homogenised radiation from the exit end of the light guide for splitting the broadband radiation into wavelength components; d) a linear detector array for converting optical radiation into measurable electrical signals, wherein each pixel of the array receives different wavelength components; e) means for processing electrical signals from the pixels into spectral information; and f) a sensor module containing the linear variable filter, the linear detector array and means for cooling and stabilizing the operating temperature of both the linear detector array and the linear variable filter, while the spectrometer is operating in variable environmental conditions.