Patents Represented by Law Firm Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle, Andeson & Citowski, PC
  • Patent number: 5974211
    Abstract: A fiber-optic probe uses imaging optics between the remote ends of the excitation and collection fibers and the sample under investigation to enhance working distance and efficiency. In one embodiment a plurality of collection fibers are disposed circumferentially around a central excitation fiber, enabling a conventional focussing lens arrangement to be used for imaging purposes. The assembly may optionally include a rotationally symmetric diffraction grating to cause the excitation energy to assume an annulus superimposed over the image of the collection fibers. The excitation and collection fiber may alternatively be physically spaced apart from one another sufficient to permit one or more optical elements to be disposed in either or both of the excitation and collection paths, depending upon the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Kaiser Optical Systems
    Inventor: Joseph B. Slater