Abstract: A beam extraction system is provided. The beam extraction system includes a first focusing optic, a second focusing optic, and an optic relay coupled to the first focusing optic and the second focusing optic. The first focusing optic is configured to form a light beam from light collected from a sample positioned at a focal point of the first focusing optic. The second focusing optic is configured to couple the light beam to a detector. The optic relay provides an optic path for the light beam from the first focusing optic to the second focusing optic.

Abstract: A web gauging system and methods of using the web gauging system are described. The web gauging system includes a supercontinuum Laser providing a light beam. A beam expander is configured to expand the light beam and provide an expanded beam to a sample illumination area. A detector unit configured to detect a sample light from the illumination area. A moving web can be placed in the illumination area, where the web gauging system measures parameters of the web.

Abstract: A laser device for use with a scientific instrument. The laser device includes a laser emitter and a control system. The laser emitter is configured to generate a laser beam for radiating a sample disposed in a vacuum chamber of the scientific instrument. The control system is configured to receive a pressure signal associated with the vacuum chamber from a pressure sensor, and to change a state of the laser beam in response to the pressure reaching a threshold level.

Abstract: Apparatus can include an input aperture configured to provide an input beam, primary optics configured to collimate the input beam, a grism situated to receive the collimated input beam and to produce a wavelength dispersed beam, and secondary optics configured to receive and direct the wavelength dispersed beam to a detector. Primary optics can include a primary reflector including an off-axis parabolic mirror, wherein the off-axis parabolic mirror is configured to produce the collimated input beam. Secondary optics can include a first secondary reflector and a second secondary reflector, wherein the first secondary reflector is situated to receive and reflect the wavelength dispersed beam to the second secondary reflector and the second secondary reflector is situated to receive and direct the wavelength dispersed beam to the detector.

Abstract: A laser device for use with a scientific instrument. The laser device includes a laser emitter and a control system. The laser emitter is configured to generate a laser beam for radiating a sample disposed in a vacuum chamber of the scientific instrument. The control system is configured to receive a pressure signal associated with the vacuum chamber from a pressure sensor, and to change a state of the laser beam in response to the pressure reaching a threshold level.

Abstract: A beam extraction system is provided. The beam extraction system includes a first focusing optic, a second focusing optic, and an optic relay coupled to the first focusing optic and the second focusing optic. The first focusing optic is configured to form a light beam from light collected from a sample positioned at a focal point of the first focusing optic. The second focusing optic is configured to couple the light beam to a detector. The optic relay provides an optic path for the light beam from the first focusing optic to the second focusing optic.

Abstract: An embodiment of a support structure for adjusting the position of a plurality of optical elements is described that comprises a base plate comprising a centering pin, a first translation slot, and a second translation slot; and a translatable plate configured to operatively couple with a plurality of the optical elements and move relative to the base plate, wherein the translatable plate comprises a centering slot configured to engage with the centering pin, a first cam configured to engage with the first translation slot and control movement of the translatable plate along a first axis, and a second cam configured to engage with the second translation slot and control movement of the translatable plate along a second axis.

Abstract: A web gauging system and methods of using the web gauging system are described. The web gauging system includes a supercontinuum Laser providing a light beam. A beam expander is configured to expand the light beam and provide an expanded beam to a sample illumination area. A detector unit configured to detect a sample light from the illumination area. A moving web can be placed in the illumination area, where the web gauging system measures parameters of the web.

Abstract: An embodiment of a support structure for adjusting the position of a plurality of optical elements is described that comprises a base plate comprising a centering pin, a first translation slot, and a second translation slot; and a translatable plate configured to operatively couple with a plurality of the optical elements and move relative to the base plate, wherein the translatable plate comprises a centering slot configured to engage with the centering pin, a first cam configured to engage with the first translation slot and control movement of the translatable plate along a first axis, and a second cam configured to engage with the second translation slot and control movement of the translatable plate along a second axis.

Abstract: A spectrometer collects background spectra during the idle time in which it is not collecting spectra from a sample. These spectra are collected over a range of exposure times, allowing the background reading on each pixel to be modeled as a function of exposure time. When sample spectra are then collected, the exposure time for the sample spectra can be used with the modeled function to compute an estimated background within the sample spectra. The estimated background can then be subtracted from the sample spectra, thereby reducing the noise therein.

Abstract: A monochromator for use in a spectrograph admits light from an aperture to a primary reflector (preferably an off-axis parabolic mirror) which collimates the input light with low aberration and directs it to a diffraction grating. The component wavelengths of the input light are then directed to first and second secondary reflectors (preferably spherical or toroidal mirrors), which are chosen to cooperatively focus the component wavelengths in ordered bands across an array detector while each at least substantially cancels the effects of any aberrations introduced by the other. By choosing optical elements which supply the grating with input light with low aberration, and then choosing optical elements which receive the component wavelengths from the grating and which offset any aberrations introduced by the other receiving optical elements, wavelength resolution at the detector can be enhanced.

Abstract: A spectroscopic microscope includes a laser or other light source which emits light from the entrance aperture of its spectrograph, and also includes a light sensor situated on the microscope sample stage upon which a specimen is to be situated for microscopic/spectrometric analysis. The sample stage is positioned such that the signal from the light sensor is maximized, thereby indicating good alignment between the sample stage and spectrograph. Additionally, the microscope sample stage bears a light source which can emit light to be detected by a light sensor situated at the vantage point of a user/viewer utilizing the microscope, and such a light sensor can simply take the form of a video camera or other image recordation unit associated with the microscope. The sample stage can also be positioned to optimize the signal at the light sensor to signify good alignment between the sample stage and the microscope.