Patent ID: 7050170

Claim:
Apparatus for maintaining an optical cavity of a cavity enhanced optical spectroscopy instrument at a substantially constant temperature, the apparatus comprising: a) an enclosure having interior and exterior wall surfaces, said enclosure surrounding said optical cavity, wherein said interior wall surfaces are spaced apart from said optical cavity; b) at least one heat exchanger positioned within said enclosure in proximity to at least one of said interior wall surfaces; c) at least one heat pump in thermal communication with both said heat exchanger and an ambient environment exterior to said enclosure; d) at least one fan positioned within said enclosure, said fan causing a portion of a gas contained within said enclosure to circulate in laminar flow following a path substantially along interior wall surfaces of said enclosure, whereby said flowing gas makes thermal contact with said heat exchanger, said optical cavity not being situated within said flow path; e) an optical bench supporting said optical cavity; and f) at least one temperature sensor affixed to said optical cavity or said optical bench.