Abstract: An interferometer includes a first assembly having a base, a beam splitter assembly to split light into first and second portions, and a fixed mirror for reflecting the first portion of light; and a second assembly movable with respect to the first assembly, and having first and second scan carriages, and a movable mirror connected to the second scan carriage for reflecting the second portion of light. The beam splitter assembly combines the reflected first and second portions of light into a recombined radiation beam. Inner bearing flexures enable movement of the first scan carriage relative to the base, and outer bearing flexures enable movement of the second scan carriage relative to the first scan carriage, such that a plane containing the movable mirror is maintained parallel to multiple planes containing the movable mirror at respective distances between the second and first assemblies during scan movement of the movable mirror.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a first assembly having a base, a beam splitter assembly to split light into first and second portions, and a fixed mirror for reflecting the first portion of light; and a second assembly movable with respect to the first assembly, and having first and second scan carriages, and a movable mirror connected to the second scan carriage for reflecting the second portion of light. The beam splitter assembly combines the reflected first and second portions of light into a recombined radiation beam. Inner bearing flexures enable movement of the first scan carriage relative to the base, and outer bearing flexures enable movement of the second scan carriage relative to the first scan carriage, such that a plane containing the movable mirror is maintained parallel to multiple planes containing the movable mirror at respective distances between the second and first assemblies during scan movement of the movable mirror.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a fixed assembly including a base, a beam splitter assembly and a fixed mirror, and a movable assembly including an upper scan carriage, a lower scan carriage and a movable mirror connected to the lower scan carriage. The pair of inner bearing flexures is connected to the base and the upper scan carriage, enabling movement of the upper scan carriage relative to the base, and the pair of outer bearing flexures is connected to the upper and lower scan carriages, enabling movement of the lower scan carriage relative to the upper scan carriage. The movement of the upper and lower scan carriages enable a scan movement of the movable mirror in a scan direction restricted such that the scan movement maintains a plane containing the movable mirror parallel to planes containing the movable mirror at respective distances between the movable and fixed assemblies during the scan movement.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a fixed assembly including a base, a beam splitter assembly and a fixed mirror, and a movable assembly including an upper scan carriage, a lower scan carriage and a movable mirror connected to the lower scan carriage. The pair of inner bearing flexures is connected to the base and the upper scan carriage, enabling movement of the upper scan carriage relative to the base, and the pair of outer bearing flexures is connected to the upper and lower scan carriages, enabling movement of the lower scan carriage relative to the upper scan carriage. The movement of the upper and lower scan carriages enable a scan movement of the movable mirror in a scan direction restricted such that the scan movement maintains a plane containing the movable mirror parallel to planes containing the movable mirror at respective distances between the movable and fixed assemblies during the scan movement.

Abstract: An optical analysis system utilizing transmission spectroscopy for analyzing liquids and solids includes a source of optical energy, a sample, a movable optical energy transmission window, a fixed optical energy transmission window, and a detection system. The fixed transmission window remains fixed relative to the source of optical energy. The sample is selectively positioned between the movable and fixed optical energy transmission windows for analyzing the sample. The optical energy is transmitted through one of the windows, the sample, and the other window to obtain encoded optical energy as a result of transmitting the optical energy through the sample. A detection system receives the encoded optical energy for analysis. The movable optical energy transmission window is selectively movable relative to the fixed optical energy transmission window to repeatedly and precisely align and make readily accessible both windows and the sample.

Abstract: An optical analysis system utilizing transmission spectroscopy for analyzing liquids and solids includes a source of optical energy, a sample, a movable optical energy transmission window, a fixed optical energy transmission window, and a detection system. The fixed transmission window remains fixed relative to the source of optical energy. The sample is selectively positioned between the movable and fixed optical energy transmission windows for analyzing the sample. The optical energy is transmitted through one of the windows, the sample, and the other window to obtain encoded optical energy as a result of transmitting the optical energy through the sample. A detection system receives the encoded optical energy for analysis. The movable optical energy transmission window is selectively movable relative to the fixed optical energy transmission window to repeatedly and precisely align and make readily accessible both windows and the sample.