Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for using a fiber array spectral translator-based (“FAST”) spectroscopic system for improved imaging, spectral analysis, and interactive probing of a sample. In an embodiment, the confocality of a fiber array spectral translator-based spectroscopic system is improved through the use of structured illumination and/or structured collection of photons. User input may be received and acted upon to allow a user to interactively in real time and/or near real time view and analyze specific regions of the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of assessing one or more geometric properties of a particle of a substance using an infrared spectroscopic property of the substance. The method is useful, for example, for assessing particle sizes and size distributions in mixtures containing both particles of the substance and other materials.

Abstract: A fiberscope device is disclosed which is suitable for video imaging, laser Raman spectroscopy and laser Raman spectroscopic (i.e. chemical) imaging. The fiberscope design minimizes fiber background interference arising from the laser delivery fiber optic and the coherent fiber optic light gathering bundle while maintaining high light throughput efficiency through the use of integrated spectral filters. In the fiberscope design, the laser delivery fiber optic is offset from the coherent fiber optic light gathering bundle. The laser delivery field is captured entirely by the light gathering field of view of the coherent fiber bundle. The fiberscope incorporates spectral filter optical elements that provide environmental insensitivity, particularly to temperature and moisture.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for automated spectral calibration of a spectroscopy device. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for simultaneous calibration and spectral imaging of a sample by: simultaneously illuminating the sample and a calibrant with a plurality of illuminating photons; receiving, at the spectrometer, a first plurality of photons collected from the sample and a second plurality of photons collected from the calibrant; forming a calibrant spectrum from the first plurality of collected photons and a sample spectrum from the second plurality of collected photons; comparing the calibrant spectrum with a reference spectrum of the calibrant to determine a wavelength-shift in the calibrant spectrum; applying the wavelength-shift to the sample spectrum to obtain a calibrated sample spectrum.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for assessing occurrence of one or more hazardous agents in a sample by performing multipoint spectral analysis of the sample using a portable or hand-held device. Methods of employing Raman spectroscopy and other spectrophotometric methods are disclosed. Devices and systems suitable for performing such multipoint methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for standoff detection of explosives and explosive residue. A laser light source illuminates a target area having an unknown sample producing luminescence emitted photons, scattered photons and plasma emitted photons. A first optical system directs light to the target area. A video capture device outputs a dynamic image of the target area. A second optical system collects photons, and directs collected photons to a first two-dimensional array of detection elements and/or to a fiber array spectral translator device which device includes a two-dimensional array of optical fibers drawn into a one-dimensional fiber stack. A spectrograph is coupled to the one-dimensional fiber stack of the fiber array spectral translator device, wherein the entrance slit of the spectrograph is coupled to the one dimensional fiber stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for assessing occurrence of a hazardous agent in a sample by performing multimodal spectral analysis of the sample. Methods of employing Raman spectroscopy for entities in a sample which exhibit one or more optical properties characteristic of a hazardous agent are disclosed. Devices and systems suitable for performing such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for spectral calibration of a spectroscopic system which includes a fiber array spectral translator. One embodiment relates to a method for obtaining a first image of a known substance using a photon detector and a fiber array spectral translator having plural fibers, wherein the first image comprises at least one pixel; providing a second image of the substance wherein the second image comprises at least one pixel; comparing the first image with the second image; and adjusting at least one pixel of the first image based on the comparison of images to thereby obtain an adjusted image.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems that combine Raman spectroscopy performed in a manner that utilizes one or more of widefield illumination, simultaneous multipoint Raman spectral acquisition, and spectral unmixing for the purpose of high throughput polymorph screening. Features of this methodology include: (a) high throughput polymorph screening to reduce crystal orientation effects on Raman spectra; (b) in-well multi-polymorph screening using increased statistical sampling; and (c) multipoint spectral sampling to enable spectral unmixing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a portable system having a fiber array spectral translator (“FAST”) for obtaining a spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image of a sample having a first and a second spatial dimension that can be used for the detection of hazardous agents by irradiating a sample with light, forming an image of all or part of the sample using Raman shifted light from the sample, and analyzing the Raman shifted light for patterns characteristic of one or more hazardous agents.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for obtaining a multimodal hyperspectral image of a sample for widefield spectral analysis. An apparatus according to one embodiment may include a plurality of optical lenses configured to interchangeably receive photons and focus the photons; a plurality of tunable filters positioned in a filter housing, each tunable filter selectively receiving the focused dispersed photons from one of the plurality of optical lenses, each tunable filter providing wavelength-selective filtered photons; a first optical camera and a second optical cameras for selectively receiving the wavelength-selective filtered photons from each of the plurality of tunable filters and combining said filtered photons to form a hyperspectral spatially accurate, wavelength-resolved image of the sample.

Abstract: A system and method for standoff detection of explosives and explosive residue. A laser light source illuminates a target area having an unknown sample producing luminescence emitted photons, scattered photons and plasma emitted photons. A first optical system directs light to the target area. A video capture device outputs a dynamic image of the target area. A second optical system collects photons, and directs collected photons to a first two-dimensional array of detection elements and/or to a fiber array spectral translator device which device includes a two-dimensional array of optical fibers drawn into a one-dimensional fiber stack. A spectrograph is coupled to the one-dimensional fiber stack of the fiber array spectral translator device, wherein the entrance slit of the spectrograph is coupled to the one dimensional fiber stack.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for obtaining a super resolution image of a sample using a fiber array spectral translator system. In one embodiment includes collecting photons from a sample at a first end of a fiber array spectral translator; delivering the photons from a second end of the fiber array spectral translator into a multiple detector rows of a photon detector; interpolating between the multiple detector rows to thereby form interpolated rows; and arranging an output of the multiple detector rows and the interpolated rows so as to obtain a super resolution image of the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for assessing occurrence of a hazardous agent in a sample by performing multimodal spectral analysis of the sample. Methods of employing Raman spectroscopy for entities in a sample which exhibit one or more optical properties characteristic of a hazardous agent are disclosed. Devices and systems suitable for performing such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of assessing one or more geometric properties of a particle of a substance using a Raman spectroscopic property of the substance. The method is useful, for example, for assessing particle sizes and size distributions in mixtures containing both particles of the substance and other materials.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for using a fiber array spectral translator-based (“FAST”) spectroscopic system for improved imaging, spectral analysis, and interactive probing of a sample. In an embodiment, the confocality of a fiber array spectral translator-based spectroscopic system is improved through the use of structured illumination and/or structured collection of photons. User input may be received and acted upon to allow a user to interactively in real time and/or near real time view and analyze specific regions of the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems that combine Raman spectroscopy performed in a manner that utilizes one or more of widefield illumination, simultaneous multipoint Raman spectral acquisition, and spectral unmixing for the purpose of high throughput polymorph screening. Features of this methodology include: (a) high throughput polymorph screening to reduce crystal orientation effects on Raman spectra; (b) in-well multi-polymorph screening using increased statistical sampling; and (c) multipoint spectral sampling to enable spectral unmixing.

Abstract: A method for the detection and identification of pathogenic microorganisms using Raman scattered light and emitted light. The method may include passing the Raman scattered light and emitted light through a FAST fiber array spectral translator.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for spectral calibration of a spectroscopic system which includes a fiber array spectral translator. One embodiment relates to a method for obtaining a first image of a known substance using a photon detector and a fiber array spectral translator having plural fibers, wherein the first image comprises at least one pixel; providing a second image of the substance wherein the second image comprises at least one pixel; comparing the first image with the second image; and adjusting at least one pixel of the first image based on the comparison of images to thereby obtain an adjusted image.

Abstract: A method for the detection and identification of pathogenic microorganisms using Raman scattered light and transmitted light in the near infrared spectral region. The method may include passing the Raman scattered light and transmitted light through a FAST fiber array spectral translator.