Abstract: A fiber optic probe is provided with a distal sampling end, a proximal end, and light delivery and collection paths therethrough. The probe includes a window disposed at the distal sampling end of the fiber optic probe, the window having a distal end and a proximal end. A lens is disposed at the proximal end of the window, the lens having a distal end, a proximal end, and an aperture. A light delivery optical fiber is provided having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being received by the lens aperture. An optical isolator provided within the lens aperture to optically isolate the light delivery path and the light collection path. A collection optical fiber is provided in optical communication with the fiber collection filter. The probe may include a lens collection filter disposed between the window and the lens.

Abstract: The technology provides a spectroscopy system having a fringe tilted grating that varies a refractive index to diffract light. The diffracting mechanism may be formed by modulating a refractive index to produce fringe planes that are oriented relative to each other through a depth of the grating material The spectroscopy system includes a detector that converts optical signals into electrical signals to render spectral data. The spectroscopy system employs the fringe tilted grating to minimize fictitious Raman peaks that correspond to a fluorescence response signature.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe is provided with a distal sampling end, a proximal end, and light delivery and collection paths therethrough. The probe includes a window disposed at the distal sampling end of the fiber optic probe, the window having a distal end and a proximal end. A lens is disposed near the proximal end of the window, the lens having a distal end, a proximal end, and an aperture. A light delivery optical fiber is provided having a distal end and a proximal end, the light rays being directed through the aperture. A collection optical fiber is provided in optical communication with the lens and the window. The probe may include a lens collection filter disposed between the window and the lens and an optical isolator provided within the aperture to optically isolate the light delivery path and the light collection path.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe is provided with a distal sampling end, a proximal end, and light delivery and collection paths therethrough. The probe includes a window disposed at the distal sampling end of the fiber optic probe, the window having a distal end and a proximal end. A lens is disposed near the proximal end of the window, the lens having a distal end, a proximal end, and an aperture. A light delivery optical fiber is provided having a distal end and a proximal end, the light rays being directed through the aperture. A collection optical fiber is provided in optical communication with the lens and the window. The probe may include a lens collection filter disposed between the window and the lens and an optical isolator provided within the aperture to optically isolate the light delivery path and the light collection path.

Abstract: The technology provides a spectroscopy system having two or more spectrometers with substantially uniform focal lengths. The spectrometers include a detector that converts optical signals into electrical signals to render spectral data. The spectroscopy system includes a computing device that is electrically coupled to one or more detectors to receive the spectral data and compare the spectral data against other spectral data. The other spectral data originates from spectrometers that have substantially similar focal lengths, slit widths, excitation laser wavelengths, or any combination of these. The technology includes an application server that is communicatively coupled to a second spectroscopy system. The application server includes software that enables data sharing among the two or more spectroscopy systems, including sharing the spectral data and the other spectral data. The application server compares sampled spectral data against stored spectral data to identify a match.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe is provided with a distal sampling end, a proximal end, and light delivery and collection paths therethrough. The probe includes a window disposed at the distal sampling end of the fiber optic probe, the window having a distal end and a proximal end. A lens is disposed at the proximal end of the window, the lens having a distal end, a proximal end, and an aperture. A light delivery optical fiber is provided having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being received by the lens aperture. An optical isolator provided within the lens aperture to optically isolate the light delivery path and the light collection path. A collection optical fiber is provided in optical communication with the fiber collection filter. The probe may include a lens collection filter disposed between the window and the lens.

Abstract: The technology provides a spectroscopy system having two or more spectrometers with substantially uniform focal lengths. The spectrometers include a detector that converts optical signals into electrical signals to render spectral data. The spectroscopy system includes a computing device that is electrically coupled to one or more detectors to receive the spectral data and compare the spectral data against other spectral data. The other spectral data originates from spectrometers that have substantially similar focal lengths, slit widths, excitation laser wavelengths, or any combination of these. The technology includes an application server that is communicatively coupled to a second spectroscopy system. The application server includes software that enables data sharing among the two or more spectroscopy systems, including sharing the spectral data and the other spectral data. The application server compares sampled spectral data against stored spectral data to identify a match.

Abstract: The technology provides two or more spectrometers with substantially uniform focal lengths. A method includes adjusting a size of a first air gap associated with a first lens in order to modify a first focal length and securing a relative position of a first body and a second body of the first lens to set the first focal length at a first value for a first spectrometer. The method further includes adjusting a size of a second air gap associated with a second lens provided in a second spectrometer in order to modify a second focal length and securing a relative position of a first body and a second body of the second lens to set the second focal length at a second value for a second spectrometer. The first and second values are selected to render the first focal length substantially equal to the second focal length.

Abstract: The technology provides two or more spectrometers with substantially uniform focal lengths. A method includes adjusting a size of a first air gap associated with a first lens in order to modify a first focal length and securing a relative position of a first body and a second body of the first lens to set the first focal length at a first value for a first spectrometer. The method further includes adjusting a size of a second air gap associated with a second lens provided in a second spectrometer in order to modify a second focal length and securing a relative position of a first body and a second body of the second lens to set the second focal length at a second value for a second spectrometer. The first and second values are selected to render the first focal length substantially equal to the second focal length.

Abstract: The technology provides two or more spectrometers having uniform focal lengths that facilitate comparing spectral results obtained therefrom. The spectrometers include a collimating lens that receives light rays therethrough, a grating that is optically coupled to the collimating lens, and a focus lens that is optically coupled to the grating. The focus lens includes an outer body having a first lens set, an inner body having a second lens set, and an air gap defined between the first lens set and the second lens set. The inner body is moveable relative to the outer body to adjust a size of the air gap in order to modify a focal length of the focus lens. The inner body moves relative to the outer body to change an image size in the x-dimension. A fastener is provided to fixedly secure the inner body and the outer body.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for coupling optical fibers to a spectrometer. The connector assembly includes a plate having a slit defined therein and a ferrule that secures end portions of the optical fibers therein. The ferrule includes a forward end having an aperture that receives the optical fibers. The connector assembly further includes a connector housing having an alignment mechanism with a plate recess dimensioned to receive the plate therein and a ferrule recess dimensioned to receive the forward end of the ferrule therein. The plate recess orients the plate and the ferrule recess orients the ferrule within the connector assembly that includes a spring for imparting a force urging the forward end of the ferrule into contact with the plate to minimize an air gap between the plate and the ferrule. The spring and the alignment mechanism maintain the ferrule in an x-y-z, rotation, and/or an angular orientation.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for coupling optical fibers to a spectrometer. The connector assembly includes a plate having a slit defined therein and a ferrule that secures end portions of the optical fibers therein. The ferrule includes a forward end having an aperture that receives the optical fibers. The connector assembly further includes a connector housing having an alignment mechanism with a plate recess dimensioned to receive the plate therein and a ferrule recess dimensioned to receive the forward end of the ferrule therein. The plate recess orients the plate and the ferrule recess orients the ferrule within the connector assembly that includes a spring for imparting a force urging the forward end of the ferrule into contact with the plate to minimize an air gap between the plate and the ferrule. The spring and the alignment mechanism maintain the ferrule in an x-y-z, rotation, and/or an angular orientation.

Abstract: Improved techniques for manipulation and management of fiber optic light. An improved fiber optic probe assembly for low light spectrographic analysis improves response to subtle light-matter interactions of high analytical importance and reduces sensitivity to otherwise dominant effects. This is accomplished by adjusting the illumination and collection fields of view in order to optimize the probe's sensitivity. Light manipulation is applied internal to the fiber so that the probe's delivery pattern and field of view do not require external manipulation and are not adversely affected by investigated media. This allows the light delivery pattern or field of view or both to be aggressively steered off-axis to achieve significant increased performance levels. Aggressive beam steering is accomplished by employing internally reflective surfaces in the fiber. A reflective metal coating or low refractive index coatings or encapsulants can be used to ensure total internal reflection.

Abstract: Manufacturing couplers for optical fibers having thin precision dimensions for precision alignment and low-loss coupling of optical fiber segments. The couplers can be formed by depositing material on a precision mandrel, removing the mandrel, and then further machining the couplers if necessary. Design variations include simple sleeves and sleeves having ends that are flanged outward so that the ends taper to the correct diameter.

Abstract: Fiber optic probe assemblies for monitoring light-matter interactions in a medium of interest. The distal end of the probe assemblies can be immersed in the medium for in-situ light delivery and collection. The probe assemblies are particularly useful for indwelling biomedical applications. Design variations include paired fiber configurations and center/ring fiber configurations.

Abstract: Improved techniques for manipulation and management of fiber optic light. An improved fiber optic probe assembly for low light spectrographic analysis improves response to subtle light-matter interactions of high analytical importance and reduces sensitivity to otherwise dominant effects. This is accomplished by adjusting the illumination and collection fields of view in order to optimize the probe's sensitivity. Light manipulation is applied internal to the fiber so that the probe's delivery pattern and field of view do not require external manipulation and are not adversely affected by investigated media. This allows the light delivery pattern or field of view or both to be aggressively steered off-axis to achieve significant increased performance levels. Aggressive beam steering is accomplished by employing internally reflective surfaces in the fiber. A reflective metal coating or low refractive index coatings or encapsulants can be used to ensure total internal reflection.

Abstract: Filtering of optical fibers and other related devices. High-energy methods for depositing thin films directly onto the ends of optical fibers can be used to produce high-quality, high-performance filters in quantity at a reasonable cost. These high-quality filters provide the high performance needed for many demanding applications and often eliminate the need for filters applied to wafers or expanded-beam filtering techniques. Having high-quality filters applied directly to optical fiber and faces permits production of high-performance, micro-sized devices that incorporate optical filters. Devices in which these filters may be used include spectroscopic applications including those using fiber optic probes, wavelength division multiplexing, telecommunications, general fiber optic sensor usage, photonic computing, photonic amplifiers, pump blocking and a variety of laser devices.

Abstract: Manufacturing couplers for optical fibers having thin precision dimensions for precision alignment and low-loss coupling of optical fiber segments are disclosed. The couplers can be formed by depositing material on a precision mandrel, removing the mandrel, and then further machining the couplers if necessary. Design variations include simple sleeves and sleeves having ends that are flanged outward so that the ends taper to the correct diameter.

Abstract: Manipulation and management of fiber optic light at the optical fiber level. Use of beam steering techniques on optical fibers that are part of fiber optic probes results in an improved fiber optic probe assembly for low light spectrographic analysis that exhibits improved response to subtle light-matter interactions of high analytical importance and reduced sensitivity to otherwise dominant effects. This is accomplished by adjusting the illumination and collection fields of view in order to optimize the probe's sensitivity. Light manipulation is applied at the optical fiber level so that the probe's delivery pattern and field of view do not require external manipulation and are not adversely affected by investigated media. This allows the light delivery pattern or field of view or both to be aggressively steered off-axis to achieve significantly increased performance levels. Aggressive beam steering is accomplished by employing internally reflective surfaces in the fiber.

Abstract: Improved techniques for manipulation and management of fiber optic light. An improved fiber optic probe assembly for low light spectrographic analysis improves response to subtle light-matter interactions of high analytical importance and reduces sensitivity to otherwise dominant effects. This is accomplished by adjusting the illumination and collection fields of view in order to optimize the probe's sensitivity. Light manipulation is applied internal to the fiber so that the probe's delivery pattern and field of view do not require external manipulation and are not adversely affected by investigated media. This allows the light delivery pattern or field of view or both to be aggressively steered off-axis to achieve significant increased performance levels. Aggressive beam steering is accomplished by employing internally reflective surfaces in the fiber. A reflective metal coating or low refractive index coatings or encapsulants can be used to ensure total internal reflection.