Claims
- 1. A spectrometric apparatus, comprising:
an array of detector elements that are responsive to incident radiation from a radiation source to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation, a spectrally selective element in an optical path between the radiation source and the array, and an analysis module responsive to the output signal from the detector elements and operative to analyze spatial distribution of spectral information received by the array.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the analysis module is a statistical analysis module.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the analysis module is operative to compute a mean value of spectral information received by different detectors in the array.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the analysis module is operative to compute a concentration from the mean.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the analysis module is operative to compute a skew value for the spatial distribution of spectral information received by the array.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the analysis module is operative to compute a standard deviation for the spatial distribution of spectral information received by the array.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the analysis module is operative to compute a kurtosis value for the spatial distribution of spectral information received by the array.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the analysis module is operative to analyze a spatial distribution of chemical species concentration.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the analysis module is operative to analyze a spatial distribution of a plurality of chemical species concentrations.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the analysis module is operative to analyze the spatial distribution by calculating concentrations for the plurality of species at each pixel and then combining results of these concentration calculations.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the array is an array of infrared detector elements that are responsive to incident infrared radiation to produce the output signal.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the array is an array of near-infrared detector elements that are responsive to incident near-infrared radiation to produce the output signal.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the array is an array of ultraviolet detector elements that are responsive to incident ultraviolet radiation to produce the output signal.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the array is an array of visible-range detector elements that are responsive to incident visible light to produce the output signal.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the source is a narrow-band source and wherein the array and the spectrally sensitive element are operative on wavelengths outside of the bandwidth of the source.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the detector array is a two-dimensional detector array.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the analysis module includes multivariate spectral analysis logic responsive to the output signal.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the analysis module includes component analysis logic.
- 19. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a display module responsive to the analysis module and operative to provide a display signal that expresses results from the analysis module.
- 20. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a threshold module responsive to the analysis module and operative to provide an accept/reject signal that expresses results from the analysis module.
- 21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the analysis module is operative to compute both an overall amount value and spatial distribution information from the output signal of the detector array.
- 22. A spectrometric detection method, comprising:
distributing a heterogeneous material including a plurality of species over an area within a field of view of a detector array, acquiring spectral image data from the material using the array, and reporting the detection of a plurality of radiation wavelengths from at least one of the species.
- 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the species are each different homogeneous chemical species.
- 24. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of acquiring takes place for infrared wavelengths.
- 25. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of acquiring takes place for near-infrared wavelengths.
- 26. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of acquiring takes place for ultraviolet wavelengths.
- 27. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of acquiring takes place for visible wavelengths.
- 28. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of acquiring takes place for wavelengths outside of a bandwidth of the source.
- 29. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of acquiring is performed by a two-dimensional detector array.
- 30. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of reporting is responsive to a multivariate spectral analysis step.
- 31. A spectrometric apparatus, comprising:
an array of detector elements that are responsive to incident radiation from a radiation source to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation, a spectrally selective element in an optical path between the radiation source and the array, a spreading element operative to spread a sample onto a field of view of the array, and an analysis module operative to derive a spectral image data set from the sample.
- 32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the spreading element is a widened transparent conduit placed in a field of view of the array.
- 33. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the spreading element includes a flow obstacle.
- 34. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the array is an array of infrared detector elements that are responsive to incident infrared radiation to produce the output signal.
- 35. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the array is an array of near-infrared detector elements that are responsive to incident near-infrared radiation to produce the output signal.
- 36. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the array is an array of ultraviolet detector elements that are responsive to incident ultraviolet radiation to produce the output signal.
- 37. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the array is an array of visible-range detector elements that are responsive to incident visible light to produce the output signal.
- 38. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the source is a narrow-band source and wherein the array and the spectrally sensitive element are operative on wavelengths outside of the bandwidth of the source.
- 39. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the detector array is a two-dimensional detector array.
- 40. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the analysis module includes multivariate spectral analysis logic responsive to the output signal.
- 41. A spectrometric apparatus, comprising:
an integrated array of detector elements that are at least generally aligned in at least a first direction, and that are responsive to incident radiation to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation, and a variable filter deposited on the surface of the integrated array and having spectral characteristics that vary along at least the first direction.
- 42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the integrated array is an array of infrared detector elements that are responsive to incident infrared radiation to produce the output signal.
- 43. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the integrated array is an array of ultraviolet detector elements that are responsive to incident ultraviolet radiation to produce the output signal.
- 44. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the integrated array is an array of visible-range detector elements that are responsive to incident visible light to produce the output signal.
- 45. The apparatus of claim 41 further including a narrow-band source and wherein the detector array and the variable filter are operative on wavelengths outside of the bandwidth of the source.
- 46. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the detector array is a two-dimensional detector array.
- 47. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the variable filter is a variable band-pass filter.
- 48. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the variable filter is a continuously variable filter.
- 49. The apparatus of claim 41 further including multivariate spectral analysis logic responsive to the output signal.
- 50. The apparatus of claim 41 further including a plurality of separate optical channeling elements positioned in optical paths that pass through parts of the variable filter having different spectral characteristics to different detector elements.
- 51. The apparatus of claim 41 further including a vessel wall on which the array is mounted.
- 52. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the array is a semiconductor array and the variable filter is deposited directly on the semiconductor array itself.
- 53. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the variable filter is deposited on an intermediate layer.
- 54. The apparatus of claim 41 further including an actuator operative to move one of the filter, the array, or a sample relative to at least another of the filter, the array, or the sample.
- 55. The apparatus of claim 41 further including an indirect driver operative to move the sample relative to the filter and/or the array.
- 56. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the indirect driver is a passive driver.
- 57. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the indirect driver is incidental to a process being monitored by the array.
- 58. A spectrometric apparatus, comprising:
an array of detector elements that are at least generally aligned in at least a first direction, and that are responsive to incident radiation to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation, a variable filter having spectral characteristics that vary along at least along the first direction, at least one vessel having a volume disposed in a field of view of the array of detector elements through the variable filter, and an indirect driver operative to move contents of the vessel through the field of view of the array.
- 59. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the indirect driver is a passive driver.
- 60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the driver is a gravity-driven flow channel.
- 61. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the driver is a restricted gravity-driven flow channel.
- 62. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the driver operates by one of the following mechanisms: elution, sedimentation, capillary action, viscous friction, evaporation, convection, and gravity
- 63. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the indirect driver is incidental to a process being monitored by the array.
- 64. The apparatus of claim 63 wherein the driver is a heat source.
- 65. The apparatus of claim 63 wherein the driver is a mixing element.
- 66. The apparatus of claim 60 further including an externally applied gradient driver applied perpendicularly to an axis of progression of the indirect driver.
- 67. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the array is an array of infrared detector elements that are responsive to incident infrared radiation to produce the output signal.
- 68. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the array is an array of ultraviolet detector elements that are responsive to incident ultraviolet radiation to produce the output signal.
- 69. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the array is an array of visible-range detector elements that are responsive to incident visible light to produce the output signal.
- 70. The apparatus of claim 58 further including a narrow-band source and wherein the detector array and the variable filter are operative on wavelengths outside of the bandwidth of the source.
- 71. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the detector array is a two-dimensional detector array.
- 72. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the variable filter is a variable band-pass filter.
- 73. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the variable filter is a continuously variable filter.
- 74. The apparatus of claim 58 further including multivariate spectral analysis logic responsive to the output signal.
- 75. A spectrometric apparatus, comprising:
an array of detector elements that are at least generally aligned in at least a first direction, and that are responsive to incident radiation to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation, a variable filter having spectral characteristics that vary along at least along the first direction, and at least one vessel having a volume disposed in a field of view of the array of detector elements through the variable filter, wherein the elements of the array are each responsive a corresponding portion of the sample along substantially parallel optical paths.
- 76. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the vessel is coupled to the array without any intermediate optical elements except the variable filter.
- 77. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the vessel forms part of an open process conduit.
- 78. A spectrometric apparatus, comprising:
an integrated array of detector elements that are at least generally aligned in at least a first direction, and that are responsive to incident radiation to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation, at least one spectrally selective element, and a plurality of separate optical channeling elements positioned in optical paths that pass through at least part of the spectrally selective elements and on to different detector elements in the array.
- 79. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein there is a single spectrally sensitive element between the array and the optical channeling elements.
- 80. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the spectrally selective element is a variable filter having spectral characteristics that vary along at least along the first direction.
- 81. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the optical channeling elements include optical fibers that are each optically coupled to a subset of the detector elements.
- 82. The apparatus of claim 81 wherein the optical fibers are each optically coupled to a subset of the detector elements through areas of the variable filter having different spectral characteristics.
- 83. The apparatus of claim 81 further including a cylindrical lens disposed between the optical fibers and the variable filter and wherein the axis of curvature of the cylindrical lens is perpendicular to the first direction.
- 84. The apparatus of claim 81 wherein ends of the fibers are physically coupled to the filter.
- 85. The apparatus of claim 84 wherein the fibers are mounted directly to the variable filter.
- 86. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the fibers are separately routed to different locations within an apparatus carrying out a process.
- 87. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the integrated array is an array of infrared detector elements that are responsive to incident infrared radiation to produce the output signal.
- 88. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the integrated array is an array of ultraviolet detector elements that are responsive to incident ultraviolet radiation to produce the output signal.
- 89. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the integrated array is an array of visible-range detector elements that are responsive to incident visible light to produce the output signal.
- 90. The apparatus of claim 78 further including a narrow-band source and wherein the detector array and the variable filter are operative on wavelengths outside of the bandwidth of the source.
- 91. The apparatus of claim 78 wherein the detector array is a two-dimensional detector array.
- 92. A monitoring method, comprising:
collecting radiation from a plurality of different locations through a plurality of different optical channels, channeling the radiation through the channels, and directing the radiation from each of the channels to a subset of the detectors in an integrated array detector.
- 93. The method of claim 92 wherein the step of directing directs the radiation though a variable filter.
- 94. The method of claim 92 further including a step of filtering portions of the radiation from each of the channels with different spectral characteristics.
- 95. The method of claim 92 wherein the step of collecting collects infrared radiation.
- 96. The method of claim 92 wherein the step of collecting collects ultraviolet radiation.
- 97. The method of claim 92 wherein the step of collecting collects visible radiation.
- 98. The method of claim 92 wherein the step of collecting collects wavelengths outside of a bandwidth of a source.
- 99. The method of claim 92 wherein the step of collecting collects a two-dimensional image.
- 100. A spectrometric method, comprising:
receiving radiation from a plurality of portions of a sample, and detecting the radiation at a two-dimensional plurality of locations corresponding to the plurality of locations through a plurality of parallel paths.
- 101. The method of claim 100 further including a step of filtering the radiation in the different paths with different spectral characteristics.
- 102. The method of claim 100 further including a step of holding the sample in a vessel.
- 103. A spectrometric method, comprising:
indirectly driving a sample in a first direction, filtering radiation that interacts with the sample with different spectral characteristics as the sample is driven by the step of driving, and acquiring images of the filtered radiation.
- 104. The method of claim 103 wherein the step of indirectly driving is performed by passively driving the sample.
- 105. The method of claim 103 wherein the step of indirectly driving is incidental to a process being performed for the sample.
- 106. A spectroscopic method, comprising the steps of:
providing a pattern in a spatial-spectral coordinate space, acquiring spectral image signals from an array of radiation detector elements for a series of different wavelengths, and comparing the spectral image signals acquired in the step of acquiring with the pattern provided in the step of providing.
- 107. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of acquiring takes place through a variable filter having spectral characteristics that vary in at least one direction, and wherein the step of providing a pattern provides a pattern designed to compensate for the spectral characteristics.
- 108. The method of claim 106 further including a step of filtering radiation before it reaches the array of radiation detectors.
- 109. The method of claim 108 wherein the step of filtering radiation is performed with a piece of known-good sample material.
- 110. The method of claim 106 wherein the pattern results from an acquired spectral data set.
- 111. The method of claim 106 wherein the steps of acquiring and comparing are repeated as a plurality of samples is being mixed.
- 112. The method of claim 111 further including a step of providing an output signal when the one of the steps of comparing indicates that the sample is adequately mixed.
- 113. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of comparing includes an image subtraction.
- 114. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of comparing is repeated for a plurality of patterns.
- 115. The method of claim 114 wherein the step of comparing is repeated for a lower bound pattern and an upper bound pattern.
- 116. The method of claim 114 wherein the step of comparing is repeated for patterns corresponding to different chemical species.
- 117. The method of claim 106 further including a step of moving a composition through a series of optical paths that each also pass through the filter and reach the detector to obtain the series of detector signals.
- 118. The method of claim 117 wherein the step of moving moves the composition in a series of discrete spatial areas.
- 119. The method of claim 118 wherein the method is applied to a pharmaceutical composition and wherein the series of discrete spatial areas are dosage units of the pharmaceutical composition.
- 120. The method of claim 106 wherein points on the surface each define an intensity limit at one of a series of different wavelengths.
- 121. The method of claim 106 wherein the steps of acquiring and comparing are each performed twice, at 90 degree angles with respect to each other.
- 122. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of providing a pattern provides a two-dimensional surface.
- 123. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of acquiring acquires infrared spectral image signals.
- 124. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of acquiring acquires ultraviolet spectral image signals.
- 125. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of acquiring acquires visible spectral image signals.
- 126. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of acquiring acquires wavelengths outside of a bandwidth of a source.
- 127. The method of claim 106 wherein the step of acquiring acquires a two-dimensional image.
- 128. A spectrometric apparatus, comprising:
a detector responsive to radiation incident on a sample from a radiation source, a spectrally selective element between the source and detector, and a comparator responsive to the detector and to a pattern corresponding to a spatial distribution of wavelengths.
- 129. The apparatus of claim 106 further including a variable filter having spectral characteristics that vary in at least one direction, and wherein the pattern is designed to compensate for the spectral characteristics.
- 130. The apparatus of claim 128 further including a filter between the source and the detector.
- 131. The apparatus of claim 130 wherein the filter includes known-good sample material.
- 132. The apparatus of claim 128 further including automatic mixing monitoring logic having an output that is operative to provide a signal when the sample is adequately mixed.
- 133. The apparatus of claim 128 wherein the comparator is a dual-threshold comparator.
- 134. The apparatus of claim 128 wherein the detector is an infrared detector that is responsive to incident infrared radiation.
- 135. The apparatus of claim 128 wherein the detector is an ultraviolet detector that is responsive to ultraviolet infrared radiation.
- 136. The apparatus of claim 128 wherein the detector is a visible detector that is responsive to incident visible radiation.
- 137. The apparatus of claim 128 further including a narrow-band source and wherein the detector is operative on wavelengths outside of a bandwidth of the source.
- 138. The apparatus of claim 128 wherein the detector is a two-dimensional detector array.
- 139. The apparatus of claim 128 wherein the spectrally selective element is a variable filter.
- 140. The apparatus of claim 139 wherein the variable filter is a variable band-pass filter.
- 141. The apparatus of claim 139 wherein the variable filter is a continuously variable filter.
- 142. The apparatus of claim 128 further including multivariate spectral analysis logic responsive to the detector.
- 143. A spectrometric apparatus, comprising:
a first two-dimensional set of detector elements that are at least generally aligned in a first direction and a second direction at least generally perpendicular to the first direction, a second two-dimensional set of detector elements that are at least generally aligned in a third direction and a fourth direction at least generally perpendicular to the first direction, a first variable filter portion in a first optical path between a sample and the first set of detector elements and having spectral characteristics that vary along at least the first direction, and a second variable filter portion in a second optical path between a sample and the first set of detector elements and having spectral characteristics that vary along at least the fourth direction, wherein the direction of change of spectral characteristics of the first variable filter is at least generally perpendicular to the direction of change of spectral characteristics of the second variable filter in reference to the orientation of the sample as conveyed by the optical paths.
- 144. The apparatus of claim 143 wherein the first and second sets of detector elements form part of a same array, wherein the first and third directions are the same, and wherein the second and fourth directions are the same.
- 145. The apparatus of claim 143 further including first and second filter portions in the first and second optical paths, respectively, and wherein the first and second filter portions include known-good sample material.
- 146. The apparatus of claim 143 further including an optical arrangement to create the first and second optical paths from the sample.
- 147. The apparatus of claim 146 wherein the optical arrangement includes a beam splitter.
- 148. The apparatus of claim 143 further including automatic mixing monitoring logic having an output that is operative to provide a signal when the sample is adequately mixed.
- 149. The apparatus of claim 143 wherein the detector elements are infrared detector elements that are responsive to incident infrared radiation.
- 150. The apparatus of claim 143 wherein the detector elements are ultraviolet detector elements that are responsive to incident ultraviolet radiation.
- 151. The apparatus of claim 143 wherein the detector elements are visible detector elements that are responsive to incident visible radiation.
- 152. The apparatus of claim 143 further including a narrow-band source and wherein the detector elements are operative on wavelengths outside of the bandwidth of the source.
- 153. The apparatus of claim 143 wherein the variable filter portions are variable band-pass filter portions.
- 154. The apparatus of claim 143 wherein the variable filter portions are continuously variable filter portions.
- 155. The apparatus of claim 143 further including multivariate spectral analysis logic responsive to the detector elements.
- 156. A spectrometric method, comprising:
a first step of filtering radiation received from a sample, wherein a direction of variation of spectral filtering characteristics varies along a first axis with respect to an orientation of the sample, a second step of filtering radiation received from a sample, wherein a direction of variation of spectral filtering characteristics varies along a second axis with respect to an orientation of the sample, wherein the first and second axes are at least generally perpendicular, and acquiring spectral images of the radiation filtered in the steps of filtering.
- 157. The method of claim 156 wherein the steps of filtering take place substantially simultaneously, wherein the step of acquiring spectral images acquires image data from the first and second filtering steps, and further including a step of splitting an optical path to provide the radiation for the first step of filtering and for the second step of filtering.
- 158. A spectroscopic method, comprising the steps of:
acquiring a three-dimensional set of spectral image signals from an array of radiation detectors for a series of different wavelengths, a first step of correcting for differences in intensity for at least a first subset of the signals, and a first step of correcting for differences in spectral variability for at least a first subset of the signals.
- 159. The method of claim 158 further including the steps of assembling results of the steps of acquiring, correcting for differences in intensity, and correcting for differences in spectral variability into a first spectral image.
- 160. The method of claim 159 further including a second step of correcting for differences in intensity for at least a second subset of the signals, and further including a second step of correcting for differences in spectral variability for at least a second subset of the signals, and further including the step of assembling results of the step of acquiring, the first and second steps of correcting for differences in intensity, and the first and second steps of correcting for differences in spectral variability into a second spectral image.
- 161. The method of claim 160 wherein the first step of correcting for differences in intensity and the first step of correcting for differences in spectral variability are performed using a same set of factors for spectrally different subsets of the three-dimensional set of spectral image signals.
- 162. The method of claim 158 wherein the step of correcting for differences in intensity includes adjusting received intensity values based on a set of intensity correction factors.
- 163. The method of claim 162 wherein the step of correcting for differences in intensity is performed by a matrix operation on a matrix of intensity values and a score matrix.
- 164. The method of claim 158 wherein the step of correcting for differences in spectral variability includes adjusting received intensity values at different wavelengths based on a set of spectral variability correction factors.
- 165. The method of claim 164 wherein the step of correcting is performed by a matrix operation on a matrix of intensity values and a loading vector.
- 166. The method of claim 158 wherein the steps of correcting are performed simultaneously in a single matrix operation.
- 167. The method of claim 166 wherein the steps of correcting are performed by adjusting a sample data cube with a calibration data cube that is based on an expansion of a set of score values and a set of loading values.
- 168. The method of claim 158 wherein factors employed in the first step of correcting for differences in intensity and the first step of correcting for differences in spectral variability are derived using principal component analysis.
- 169. The method of claim 158 wherein the step of correcting for differences in intensity takes place using substantially fewer values than there are pixel values in the image signals.
- 170. The method of claim 158 wherein the step of correcting for differences in spectral variability takes place using substantially fewer values than there are pixel values in the image signals.
- 171. The method of claim 158 wherein the steps of correcting for differences in intensity and spectral variability taken together use substantially fewer values than there are pixel values in the image signals.
- 172. The method of claim 158 wherein the step of acquiring acquires infrared spectral image signals.
- 173. The method of claim 158 wherein the step of acquiring acquires ultraviolet spectral image signals.
- 174. The method of claim 158 wherein the step of acquiring acquires visible spectral image signals.
- 175. The method of claim 158 wherein the step of acquiring acquires wavelengths outside of a bandwidth of a source.
- 176. A spectroscopic method, comprising:
obtaining a background calibration data set, deriving a set of intensity correction values from the background calibration data set, deriving a set of spectral variability correction values from the background calibration data set, and calibrating at least one acquired image data set based on the intensity correction values and spectral variability values derived in the steps of deriving.
- 177. The method of claim 176 wherein the steps of deriving operate according to principles of principal component analysis.
- 178. A spectrometric apparatus, comprising:
a spectrally selective element, a detector array including a plurality of detector elements and being responsive to radiation from a source that has passed through the spectrally selective element, and calibration logic responsive to the detector array and including intensity correction logic and spectral variability logic.
- 179. A spectrometric apparatus, comprising:
an infrared illumination source directed toward a sample, a plurality of detector elements that are responsive to infrared radiation scattered from the sample to produce an output signal that includes information from the incident radiation, and an analysis module responsive to the output signal from the detector elements and operative to analyze spatial distribution of information received by the array.
- 180. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein the sample is a heterogeneous powder and further including a vessel to hold the sample.
- 181. The apparatus of claim 180 further including mixing machinery operatively connected to the vessel to mix the sample.
- 182. The apparatus of claim 181 wherein the mixing machinery includes an input responsive to the analysis module.
- 183. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein the analysis module includes logic operative to analyze scattering.
- 184. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein the analysis module includes logic operative to detect a stable state.
- 185. The apparatus of claim 179 further including a second source having spectral characteristics that are different from those of the first source.
- 186. The apparatus of claim 185 wherein the analysis module is operative to derive both chemical and size information from the scattered radiation and wherein the analysis module is operative to derive the chemical information from differences between the output signals resulting from illumination by the first and second sources.
- 187. The apparatus of claim 185 further including source control logic operative to alternate the illumination of the sources.
- 188. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein the source is a pulsed laser diode.
- 189. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein the source is a coherent source.
- 190. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein the analysis module is operative to analyze particle size.
- 191. The apparatus of claim 190 wherein the analysis module is operative to analyze changes in particle size.
- 192. The apparatus of claim 191 wherein the analysis module is operative to analyze the growth of particles as a function of time during granulation.
- 193. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein the plurality of detectors form part of a two-dimensional integrated detector array.
- 194. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein the analysis module is operative to derive both chemical and size information from the scattered radiation.
- 195. The apparatus of claim 179 wherein the source and detector are operative in the near-infrared range.
- 196. A spectrometric detection method, comprising:
illuminating a sample with infrared light, acquiring a spectral image of a scattered image pattern resulting from the step of illuminating; and analyzing a spatial distribution of the scattered spectral image pattern.
- 197. The method of claim 196 wherein the sample is a heterogeneous powder and further including a vessel to hold the sample.
- 198. The method of claim 196 further including the step of inducing motion in the sample.
- 199. The method of claim 196 further including the step of detecting a stable state in the sample.
- 200. The method of claim 196 wherein the step of illuminating illuminates with first and second different spectral characteristics and wherein the step of analyzing obtains chemical information from differences between interactions between the sample and the first and second different spectral characteristics.
- 201. The method of claim 196 wherein the step of analyzing includes analyzing particle size.
- 202. The method of claim 201 wherein the step of analyzing includes analyzing changes in particle size.
- 203. The method of claim 202 wherein the step of analyzing includes analyzing the growth of particles as a function of time during granulation.
- 204. The method of claim 196 wherein the step of acquiring is performed by a two-dimensional integrated detector array.
- 205. The method of claim 196 wherein the step of analyzing includes deriving both chemical and size distribution information from the scattered radiation.
- 206. The method of claim 196 wherein the steps of illuminating and detecting both take place in the near-infrared range.
- 207. A spectrometric apparatus, comprising:
means for illuminating a sample with infrared light, means for acquiring a spectral image of a scattered image pattern resulting from the means for illuminating; and means for analyzing a spatial distribution of the scattered spectral image pattern.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. provisional applications entitled “ARRAY-BASED SPECTROMETRIC PROCESS MONITORING,” serial No. 60/343,449, filed on Dec. 21, 2001; “PATTERN RECOGNITION IN HYBRID SPATIAL-SPECTRAL SPACE,” serial No. 60/343,691, filed on Dec. 21, 2001; “SPECTROMETRIC PROCESS MONITORING,” serial No. 60/394,053, filed on Jul. 3, 2002; and “SPECTROMETRIC PROCESS MONITORING,” serial No. 60/394,054, filed on Jul. 3, 2002; which are herein incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (4)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60343449 |
Dec 2001 |
US |
|
60343691 |
Dec 2001 |
US |
|
60394053 |
Jul 2002 |
US |
|
60394054 |
Jul 2002 |
US |