Abstract: A spectrometer with a Schmidt reflector is described. The spectrometer may include a Schmidt corrector and a dispersive element as separate components. Alternatively, the Schmidt corrector and dispersive element may be combined into a single optical component. The spectrometer may further include a field-flattener lens.

Abstract: Certain configurations are described herein of an optical spectrometer and instruments including an optical spectrometer. In some instances, the optical spectrometer is configured to spatially separate provided wavelengths of light to permit detection or imaging of each provided wavelength of light. Improved sensitivities and detection limits may be achieved using the optical spectrometers described herein.

Abstract: A spectrometer with a Schmidt reflector is described. The spectrometer may include a Schmidt corrector and a dispersive element as separate components. Alternatively, the Schmidt corrector and dispersive element may be combined into a single optical component. The spectrometer may further include a field-flattener lens.

Abstract: A spectrometer with an unobstructed, Schmidt reflector is described. The spectrometer may include a Schmidt corrector and a dispersive element as separate components. Alternatively, the Schmidt corrector and dispersive element may be combined into a single optical component. The spectrometer may further include a field-flattener lens.

Abstract: Certain configurations are described herein of an optical spectrometer and instruments including an optical spectrometer. In some instances, the optical spectrometer is configured to spatially separate provided wavelengths of light to permit detection or imaging of each provided wavelength of light. Improved sensitivities and detection limits may be achieved using the optical spectrometers described herein.

Abstract: Certain aspects, configurations, embodiments, and examples of a spectrometer with a compact design are described. In some implementations, the spectrometers according to the present disclosure may be used for optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The spectrometer architecture and imager described herein allows a single detector, compact, and high-throughput spectrometer. One or more aspects include an Echelle grating in a spectrometer that reuses optical surfaces to separate wavelengths of light. For example, in one or more aspects, a reflective triplet telescope acts as both a collimator and imager. By reusing optical components, the relative size of the spectrometer may be reduced.

Abstract: Certain configurations are described herein of an optical spectrometer and instruments including an optical spectrometer. In some instances, the optical spectrometer is configured to spatially separate provided wavelengths of light to permit detection or imaging of each provided wavelength of light. Improved sensitivities and detection limits may be achieved using the optical spectrometers described herein.

Abstract: Certain aspects, configurations, embodiments, and examples of a spectrometer with a compact design are described. In some implementations, the spectrometers according to the present disclosure may be used for optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The spectrometer architecture and imager described herein allows a single detector, compact, and high-throughput spectrometer. One or more aspects include an Echelle grating in a spectrometer that reuses optical surfaces to separate wavelengths of light. For example, in one or more aspects, a reflective triplet telescope acts as both a collimator and imager. By reusing optical components, the relative size of the spectrometer may be reduced.

Abstract: A flow cell for a fluorescence spectrometer includes a flow channel to receive a flow of a liquid sample, an excitation light entrance window to receive excitation light from a light source, and an emission light exit window to transmit fluorescent emission light from the liquid sample in the flow channel from the flow cell. The excitation light entrance window and/or emission light exit window includes a waveguide including: a waveguide core formed of a core material; and a cladding medium surrounding a portion of the waveguide core, wherein the cladding medium has a refractive index less than the refractive index of the core material. The waveguide defines a portion of the flow channel.

Abstract: A liquid sample analyzer includes a liquid sample source, a flow cell, an optical device and a plurality of optical fibers. The flow cell is configured to receive a flow of a liquid sample from the liquid sample source. The plurality of optical fibers optically connect the flow cell to the optical device to transmit light between the flow cell and the optical device.

Abstract: A flow cell for a fluorescence spectrometer includes a flow channel to receive a flow of a liquid sample, an excitation light entrance window to receive excitation light from a light source, and an emission light exit window to transmit fluorescent emission light from the liquid sample in the flow channel from the flow cell. The excitation light entrance window and/or emission light exit window includes a waveguide including: a waveguide core formed of a core material; and a cladding medium surrounding a portion of the waveguide core, wherein the cladding medium has a refractive index less than the refractive index of the core material. The waveguide defines a portion of the flow channel.

Abstract: A liquid sample analyzer includes a liquid sample source, a flow cell, an optical device and a plurality of optical fibers. The flow cell is configured to receive a flow of a liquid sample from the liquid sample source. The plurality of optical fibers optically connect the flow cell to the optical device to transmit light between the flow cell and the optical device.

Abstract: An optical metrology includes a library, a metrology tool and a library evolution tool. The library is generated to include a series of predicted measurements. Each predicted measurement is intended to match the measurements that a metrology device would record when analyzing a corresponding physical structure. The metrology tool compares its empirical measurements to the predicted measurements in the library. If a match is found, the metrology tool extracts a description of the corresponding physical structure from the library. The library evolution tool operates to improve the efficiency of the library. To make these improvements, the library evolution tool statistically analyzes the usage pattern of the library. Based on this analysis, the library evolution tool increases the resolution of commonly used portions of the library. The library evolution tool may also optionally reduce the resolution of less used portions of the library.