Patent ID: 7289208

Claim:
A spectrometer comprising: a base; a collimating element for receiving input light and collimating the same; a dispersive optical element for receiving light from the collimating element and dispersing the same; and a focusing element for receiving light from the dispersive optical element and focusing the same on a detector assembly; wherein the collimating element, the dispersive optical element and the focusing element are all formed separately from one another and are all independently mounted to the base so as to be separately adjustable in relation to one another and in relation to the base; wherein, where the wavelength dispersion of the dispersed light extends in the x-y direction, the collimating element and the focusing element are formed so to maintain the desired optical parameters in the x-y plane while having a reduced size in the z direction; and wherein the collimating element and focusing element are formed with an aspect ratio of approximately 3:1 (x:z) or greater.