Patent ID: 7602307

Claim:
A portable and modular detection system comprising: an electromagnetic radiation source; at least one alignment rail; a plurality of modular optical elements each removably attached along a length of the alignment rail, wherein the plurality of modular optical elements are individually translatable along the length of the alignment rail; a dichroic mirror; a photo detector; and a lock-in amplifier, wherein the dichroic mirror re-directs electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic radiation source through a collimating lens and onto an analyte sample, wherein the collimating lens collects radiation radiation reflected or emitted by the analyte sample in response to the generated electromagnetic radiation and directs the collected electromagnetic radiation onto the dichroic mirror, wherein the dichroic mirror directs the collected electromagnetic radiation into the plurality of modular optical elements, wherein the plurality of modular optical elements operate to shape, collimate and direct the collected electromagnetic radiation into the photo detector, wherein the photo detector converts the collected electromagnetic radiation into a voltage signal, and wherein the voltage signal is amplified by the lock-in amplifier.