Micromirror spectrophotometer assembly
Aspects of a micromirror spectrophotometer assembly are described. In one example case, an instrument includes a diffraction grating to disperse broadband light over a range of wavelengths, a detector, a digital micromirror device (DMD) configured to scan through and reflect at least a portion of the range of wavelengths toward the detector, and a base platform having a number of integrally formed assembly mounts. The assembly mounts are formed to align and secure the diffraction grating, the detector, the DMD, and other optical components of the instrument in a predetermined arrangement. The instrument can also include a reference paddle having a reference material for calibration of the instrument, and a rotatable sample tray to rotate a sample placed on the sample tray for measurement.
1. A platform for an instrument, comprising:
a plurality of assembly mounts integrally formed as a base platform to align and secure a diffraction grating, a detector, a digital micromirror device (DMD), and at least one optical component in a predetermined arrangement, wherein:
the plurality of assembly mounts comprise a plurality of integral seats to align and secure the at least one optical component in a predetermined arrangement relative to the diffraction grating, the detector, and the DMD.
2. The platform of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of assembly mounts comprise:
a first integral seat formed for a first optical component of a focusing optics assembly; and
a second integral seat for a second optical component of the focusing optics assembly, the first integral seat and the second integral seat being separated by a predetermined spacing along an optical pathway that extends along the at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts.
3. The platform of claim 1 , wherein:
a first of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a first optical pathway in the instrument;
a second of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a second optical pathway parallel to the first optical pathway in the instrument; and
a third of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a third optical pathway at an angle with respect to at least one of the first optical pathway and the second optical pathway.
4. The platform of claim 3 , wherein:
the at least one optical component comprises a plurality of optical components;
the plurality of optical components are aligned and secured in the first, second, and third of the plurality of assembly mounts; and
an assembly mount cover is secured over the first, second, and third of the plurality of assembly mounts.
5. The platform of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned at one end of an optical pathway to secure a light source and an entrance optics assembly.
6. The platform of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts is positioned to secure a diffraction grating at an intersection of first and second optical pathways.
7. The platform of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts includes a number of baffles integral to the base platform.
8. The platform of claim 1 , wherein the base platform is continuously formed from a single material using an additive manufacturing process.
9. An instrument, comprising:
a diffraction grating to disperse broadband light over a range of wavelengths;
a detector;
a digital micromirror device (DMD) configured to scan through and reflect at least a portion of the range of wavelengths toward the detector;
a base platform to align and secure the diffraction grating, the detector, the digital micromirror device (DMD), and at least one optical component in a predetermined arrangement; and
a reference paddle, wherein:
the reference paddle includes a reference material for calibration of the instrument; and
a motor is configured to rotate the reference paddle to cover a sample window of the instrument for calibration of the instrument.
10. The instrument of claim 9 , further comprising:
a sample motor comprising a shaft that extends through a sample platform of the instrument; and
a sample tray mechanically coupled to the shaft of the sample motor, wherein the sample motor is configured to rotate a sample placed on the sample tray for measurement.
11. The instrument of claim 9 , wherein:
the base platform comprises a plurality of assembly mounts to align and secure the diffraction grating, the detector, the DMD, and the at least one optical component in the predetermined arrangement; and
the plurality of assembly mounts comprise a plurality of integral seats to align and secure the at least one optical component in a predetermined arrangement relative to the diffraction grating, the detector, and the DMD.
12. The instrument of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts comprises:
a first integral seat formed for a first optical component of a focusing optics assembly; and
a second integral seat for a second optical component of the focusing optics assembly, the first integral seat and the second integral seat being separated by a predetermined spacing along an optical pathway in the instrument.
13. The instrument of claim 11 , wherein:
a first of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a first optical pathway in the instrument;
a second of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a second optical pathway parallel to the first optical pathway in the instrument; and
a third of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a third optical pathway at an angle with respect to at least one of the first optical pathway and the second optical pathway.
14. The instrument of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned at one end of an optical pathway to secure a light source and an entrance optics assembly.
15. A platform for an instrument, comprising:
a plurality of assembly mounts integrally formed as a base platform to align and secure a diffraction grating, a detector, a digital micromirror device (DMD), and at least one optical component in a predetermined arrangement, wherein the plurality of assembly mounts comprise:
a first integral seat formed for a first optical component of a focusing optics assembly; and
a second integral seat for a second optical component of the focusing optics assembly, the first integral seat and the second integral seat being separated by a predetermined spacing along an optical pathway.
16. The platform of claim 15 , wherein:
a first of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a first optical pathway in the instrument;
a second of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a second optical pathway parallel to the first optical pathway in the instrument; and
a third of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned along a third optical pathway at an angle with respect to at least one of the first optical pathway and the second optical pathway.
17. The platform of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts is aligned at one end of an optical pathway to secure a light source and an entrance optics assembly.
18. The platform of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts is positioned to secure a diffraction grating.
19. The platform of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of assembly mounts includes a number of baffles integral to the base platform.
20. The platform of claim 15 , wherein the base platform is continuously formed from a single material using an additive manufacturing process.