Abstract: Polarization compensation in optical system having a primary optical element having polarization-altering characteristics, such as a dichroic element, is provided. A compensation optical element having substantially the same polarization-altering characteristics as the primary optical element is provided in the path of the light beam whose polarization state is to be conserved. The compensation optical element is oriented with respect to the light beam such that by transmitting or reflecting the light beam, it alters its polarization state in a manner opposite to the altering of this polarization state by the primary optical element. Advantageously, this is true for any orientation of the polarization state of the light beam.

Abstract: A spectrometer (110) including a triggering element (124) for generating a series of trigger signals, a first laser (10) for emitting toward a sample (112) a first laser light pulse (118) having a first wavelength in response to receiving each of the trigger signals, the first laser (10) being wavelength tunable so that the first wavelength is selectively variable; a second laser (114) for emitting toward the sample a second laser light pulse (120) having a second wavelength in response to receiving each of the trigger signals from the series of trigger signals; a dithering element (128) for selectively retarding transmission of the trigger signals to at least one of the first and second lasers such that the first and second laser light pulses (118, 120) are received at the sample substantially non-simultaneously; a delaying element (126) for retarding transmission of the trigger signals to at least one of the first and second lasers in a manner such that the first and second laser light pulses (118, 120) are

Abstract: A spectrometer (110) including a triggering element (124) for generating a series of trigger signals, a first laser (10) for emitting toward a sample (112) a first laser light pulse (118) having a first wavelength in response to receiving each of the trigger signals, the first laser (10) being wavelength tunable so that the first wavelength is selectively variable; a second laser (114) for emitting toward the sample a second laser light pulse (120) having a second wavelength in response to receiving each of the trigger signals from the series of trigger signals; a dithering element (128) for selectively retarding transmission of the trigger signals to at least one of the first and second lasers such that the first and second laser light pulses (118, 120) are received at the sample substantially non-simultaneously; a delaying element (126) for retarding transmission of the trigger signals to at least one of the first and second lasers in a manner such that the first and second laser light pulses (118, 120) are