Optical system

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1 in which: said step of measuring the intensity of another portion of the light emitted from said radiating member includes the step of causing a beam of light from said one spot to impinge upon a control photodetector; and the step of changing the intensity of light radiated from said source of light includes the step of deriving an electrical signal from said control photodetector and controlling the current through said source of light in response to said electrical signal.

Claim 4

A method of measuring the light absorbance of a fluid comprising the steps of: generating at least one beam of light; controlling said beam of light by the method of claim 2; directing said beam of light through said fluid; and measuring at least one characteristic of light transmitted through said fluid.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 1 in which said step of re-radiating said light further includes the step of reradiating said light into a plurality of beams of light having light intensities that remain in fixed proportion to each other.

Claim 6

A method of measuring the light absorbance of the fluid comprising the steps of: generating at least one beam of light; controlling said beam of light by the method of claim 2; directing said beam of light through said fluid; and measuring at least one characteristic of the light transmitted through said fluid.

Claim 9

A method according to claim 6 in which: the step of measuring the intensity of another portion of light emitted from said radiating member includes the step of causing a beam of light from the said one spot to impinge upon a control photodetector; and the step of changing the intensity of light radiated from said source of light includes the step of deriving a electrical signal from said control photodetector and controlling the current through said source of light in response to said electrical signal.

Claim 10

A method of measuring the light absorbance of a fluid comprising the steps of: generating at least one beam of light; controlling said beam of light by the method of claim 7; directing said beam of light through said fluid; and measuring at least one characteristic of the light transmitted through said fluid.

Claim 13

A method according to claim 9 in which the step of re-radiating light from the radiating member toward said object further includes the step of passively radiating light, said step of passively radiating light comprising the step of diffusing light focused on said spot from said large solid angle.

Claim 14

A method according to claim 9 in which: said step of measuring intensity of another portion of said light emitted from said radiating member includes a step of causing a beam of light from said one spot to impinge upon a control photodetector; and the step of changing the intensity of light radiated from said source of light includes a step of deriving an electrical signal from said control photodetector and controlling the current through said source of light in response to said electrical signal.

Claim 15

A method of measuring the light absorbance of a fluid comprising the steps of: generating at least one beam of light; controlling said beam of light by the method of claim 9; directing said beam of light through said fluid; and measuring at least one characteristic of the light transmitted through said fluid.

Claim 16

Apparatus for applying light from a light source to an object with a controlled intensity, comprising: a light-radiating member; said light-radiatiNg member being positioned to receive light from said light source; electrical power means for controlling the intensity of light emitted from said light source; detector means for detecting the intensity of the light emitted at least in one direction from at least one spot on said light-radiating member; feedback control means for causing said electrical power means to increase the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects a decrease in the intensity of said light and for causing said electrical power means to decrease the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects an increase in the intensity of said light; said light source including means for emitting light in one direction that fluctuates in intensity with respect to light emitted in another direction; focusing means for focusing light from a large solid angle about said light source onto said one spot on said light-radiating member, whereby a substantial amount of light is radiated from said one spot by said light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being a passive light-radiating member; and said passive light-radiating member including means for substantially diffusing light.

Claim 17

Apparatus for applying light from a light source to an object with a controlled intensity, comprising: a light-radiating member; said light-radiatiNg member being positioned to receive light from said light source; electrical power means for controlling the intensity of light emitted from said light source; detector means for detecting the intensity of the light emitted at least in one direction from at least one spot on said light-radiating member; feedback control means for causing said electrical power means to increase the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects a decrease in the intensity of said light and for causing said electrical power means to decrease the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects an increase in the intensity of said light; said light source including means for emitting light in one direction that fluctuates in intensity with respect to light emitted in another direction; focusing means for focusing light from a large solid angle about said light source onto said one spot on said light-radiating member, whereby a substantial amount of light is radiated from said one spot by said light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being a passive light-radiating member; and said passive light-radiating member including means for substantially diffusing light.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 13 in which said light radiating member includes a light-radiating means for radiating light along at least a first and a second path from said radiating member in response to said light from said source of light with a substantially constant ratio of the intensity of the light in said path to the intensity of light in said second path, which ratio is substantially independent of fluctuations in the light from said light source.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 14 in which: said focusing means includes an ellipsoidal reflector having first and second foci; said light-radiating member being located in said first focus of said ellipsoidal reflector; said light source including means for emitting light from said second focus of said ellipsoidal reflector; said ellipsoidal reflector including a first section having internal walls defining a first hole; a second section having internal walls defining a second hole; said first hole, first path and light-radiating member being aligned; and said second hole, second path and radiating means being aligned.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 13 in which: said focusing means includes an ellipsoidal reflector having first and second foci; said light-radiating member being located in said first focus of said ellipsoidal reflector to radiate light along at least a first and second path from said radiating member; said light source including means for emitting light from said second focus of said ellipsoidal reflector; said ellipsoidal reflector including a first section having internal wall defining a first hole; and a second section having internal walls defining a second hole; said first hole, first path and light radiating member being aligned; and said second hole, second path and radiating member being aligned.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 13 in which said light-radiating member is sufficiently translucent to radiate light focused upon it from any direction equally in two opposite directions.

Claim 22

Apparatus for applying light from a light source to an object with a controlled intensity, comprising: a light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being positioned to receive light from said light source; electrical power means for controlling the intensity of light emitted from said light source; detector means for detecting the intensity of the light emitted at least in one direction from at least one spot on said light-radiating member; feedback control means for causing electrical power means to increase the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects a decrease in the intensity of said light and for causing said electrical power Means to decrease the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects an increase in the intensity of said light; said light source including means for emitting light in one direction that fluctuates in intensity with respect to light emitted in another direction; focusing means for focusing light from a large solid angle about said light source onto said one spot of said light-radiating member, whereby a substantial amount of light is radiated from said one spot by said light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being a clear fluorescent means for emitting light at a first frequency when impinged upon a light having a second frequency; and said light source including means for emitting light of said second frequency.

Claim 23

Apparatus for applying light from a light source to an object with a controlled intensity, comprising: a light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being positioned to receive light from said light source; electrical power means for controlling the intensity of light emitted from said light source; detector means for detecting the intensity of the light emitted at least in one direction from at least one spot on said light-radiating member; feedback control means for causing electrical power means to increase the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects a decrease in the intensity of said light and for causing said electrical power Means to decrease the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects an increase in the intensity of said light; said light source including means for emitting light in one direction that fluctuates in intensity with respect to light emitted in another direction; focusing means for focusing light from a large solid angle about said light source onto said one spot of said light-radiating member, whereby a substantial amount of light is radiated from said one spot by said light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being a clear fluorescent means for emitting light at a first frequency when impinged upon a light having a second frequency; and said light source including means for emitting light of said second frequency.

Claim 24

Apparatus according to claim 18 in which said fluorescent means comprises means for emitting light having a wave length substantially in the range of 270 to 290 nanometers and said light source is an ultraviolet lamp.

Claim 25

Apparatus according to claim 19 in which said radiating member includes a light-radiating means for radiating light along at least a first and a second path from said radiating member in response to said light from said source of light with a substantially constant ratio of the intensity of the light in said first path to the intensity of the light in said second path, which ratio is substantially independent of fluctuations in the light from said light source.

Claim 26

Apparatus according to claim 20 in which: said focusing means includes an ellipsoidal reflector having first and second foci; said light-radiating member being located in said first focus of said ellipsoidal reflector; said light source including means for emitting light from said second focus of said ellipsoidal reflector; said ellipsoidal reflector including a first section having internal walls defining a first hole; and a second section having internal walls defining a second hole; said first hole, first path and light-radiating member being alligned; and said second hole, second path and radiating means being aligned.

Claim 27

Apparatus according to claim 18 in which said light-radiating member is sufficiently translucent to radiate light focused upon it from any direction equally in two opposite directions.

Claim 28

Apparatus for applying light from a light source to an object with a controlled intensity, comprising: a light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being positioned to receive light from said light source; electrical power means for controlling the intensity of light emitted from said light source; detector means for detecting the intensity of the light emitted at least in one direction from at least one spot on said light-radiating member; feedback control means for causing said electrical power means to increase the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects a decrease in the intensity of said light and for causing said electrical power means to decrease the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects an increase in the intensity of said light focusing means for focusing light from said light source onto a spot on said light-radiating member, whereby a substantial amount of light is radiated by said light-radiating member. said light-radiating member including means for substantially reradiating light in directions spatially independent from the directions of the light impinging upon it.

Claim 29

Apparatus for applying light from a light source to an object with a controlled intensity, comprising: a light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being positioned to receive light from said light source; electrical power means for controlling the intensity of light emitted from said light source; detector means for detecting the intensity of the light emitted at least in one direction from at least one spot on said light-radiating member; feedback control means for causing said electrical power means to increase the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects a decrease in the intensity of said light and for causing said electrical power means to decrease the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects an increase in the intensity of said light focusing means for focusing light from said light source onto a spot on said light-radiating member, whereby a substantial amount of light is radiated by said light-radiating member. said light-radiating member including means for substantially reradiating light in directions spatially independent from the directions of the light impinging upon it.

Claim 30

Apparatus according to claim 23 in which said means for re-radiating light comprises a plurality of particles.

Claim 31

Apparatus according to claim 24 in which: said plurality of particles comprise fluorescent means for emitting light at a first frequency when impinged upon by light having a second frequency; and said light source includes means for emitting light of said second frequency, whereby fluorescent light of said first frequency are directed toward saId object.

Claim 32

Apparatus according to claim 24 in which said plurality of particles comprise means for passively re-radiating diffused light and for radiating fluorescent light toward said object.

Claim 33

Apparatus according to claim 26 in which said light-radiating member includes a light-radiating means for radiating light along at least a first and a second path from said source of light with a substantially constant ratio of the intensity of the light in said first path to the intensity of the light in said second path, which ratio is substantially independent of fluctuations in the light from said light source.

Claim 34

Apparatus according to claim 27 in which: said focusing means includes an ellipsoidal reflector having first and second foci; said light-radiating member being located in said first focus of said ellipsoidal reflector; said light source including means for emitting light from said second focus of said ellipsoidal reflector; said ellipsoidal reflector including a first section having internal walls defining a first hole and a second section having internal walls defining a second hole; said first hole, first path and light-radiating member being aligned; and said second hole, said second path and radiating member being aligned.

Claim 35

Apparatus according to claim 28 in which said particles comprise means for radiating light having a wave length substantially in the range of 270 to 290 nanometers, and said light source is an ultraviolet lamp.

Claim 36

Apparatus according to claim 25 further including light-collimating means for passing collimated light from said one spot to said detector means.

Claim 37

Apparatus according to claim 23 in which said light-radiating member is sufficiently translucent to radiate light focused upon it from any direction equally in two opposite directions.

Claim 38

Apparatus for applying light from a light source to an object with a controlled intensity, comprising: a light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being positioned to receive light from said light source; electrical power means for controlling the intensity of light emitted from said light source; detector means for detecting the intensity of light emitted at least in one direction from at least one spot on said light-radiating member; feedback control means for causing said electrical power means to increase the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects a decrease in the intensity of said light and for causing said electrical power means to decrease the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects an increase in the intensity of said light; said light source being a mercury vapor lamp; said apparatus including temperature control means for maintaining the temperature of said mercury vapor lamp within a predetermined range.

Claim 39

Apparatus for applying light from a light source to an object with a controlled intensity, comprising: a light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being positioned to receive light from said light source; electrical power means for controlling the intensity of light emitted from said light source; detector means for detecting the intensity of light emitted at least in one direction from at least one spot on said light-radiating member; feedback control means for causing said electrical power means to increase the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects a decrease in the intensity of said light and for causing said electrical power means to decrease the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects an increase in the intensity of said light; said light source being a mercury vapor lamp; said apparatus including temperature control means for maintaining the temperature of said mercury vapor lamp within a predetermined range.

Claim 40

Apparatus according to claim 32 in which said temperature control means is a heat sink positioned adjacent to said mercury vapor lamp.

Claim 41

Apparatus for applying light from a light source to an object with a controlled intensity, comprising: a light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being positioned to receive light from said light source; electrical power means for controlling the intensity of light emitted from said light source; detector means for detecting the intensity of the light emitted at least in one direction from at least one spot on said light-radiating member; and feedback control means for causing said electrical power means to increase the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects a decrease in the intensity of the said light and for causing said electrical power means to decrease the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects an increase in the intensity of said light; light-blocking means for transmitting light in said one direction from said one spot and for blocking light in all directIons forming a straight line between said light source and said detector means.

Claim 42

Apparatus for applying light from a light source to an object with a controlled intensity, comprising: a light-radiating member; said light-radiating member being positioned to receive light from said light source; electrical power means for controlling the intensity of light emitted from said light source; detector means for detecting the intensity of the light emitted at least in one direction from at least one spot on said light-radiating member; and feedback control means for causing said electrical power means to increase the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects a decrease in the intensity of the said light and for causing said electrical power means to decrease the intensity of light from said light source when said detector means detects an increase in the intensity of said light; light-blocking means for transmitting light in said one direction from said one spot and for blocking light in all directIons forming a straight line between said light source and said detector means.

Claim 43

Apparatus according to claim 34 in which said light-blocking means includes light-collimating means for passing collimated light from said one spot to said detector means.