Calibration of an optical detector using a micro-flow chamber
A method of calibrating an optical detector includes installing a calibration system within at least one sensing volume of the optical detector, filling a chamber of the calibration system with a material to achieve a known obscuration, and measuring an obscuration of the material within the chamber.
1 . A calibration system for use with a detector comprising:
a housing having an internal chamber, wherein the housing is separate from and is removably positionable in contact with an exterior surface of the detector, within a sensing volume of the detector such that an obscuration of the internal chamber is directly sensible by the detector;
an obscuration sensor operable to monitor an obscuration within the internal chamber;
at least one reservoir arranged in fluid communication with the internal chamber; and
a controller operable to:
selectively supply a flow of material from the at least one reservoir to the internal chamber such that the internal chamber has a known obscuration, wherein selectively supplying the flow of material from the at least one reservoir to the internal chamber includes dynamically controlling the flow of material from the at least one reservoir to the internal chamber in real time based on a sensed obscuration detected within the internal chamber by the obscuration sensor.
2 . The calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a plurality of surfaces and at least one of the plurality of surfaces is formed from a flexible, transparent material.
3 . The calibration system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of surfaces includes a primary surface for contacting the detector, the primary surface having a contour complementary to a portion of the detector.
4 . The calibration system of claim 3 , further comprising an anti-reflective coating applied to the primary surface.
5 . The calibration system of claim 2 , further comprising an absorptive coating applied to at least one of the plurality of surfaces distinct from the primary surface.
6 . The calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the detector includes at least one sensing volume, and the internal chamber of the housing is sized to extend through the at least one sensing volume.
7 . The calibration system of claim 1 , wherein a first surface of the housing is positionable in direct contact with a sensing surface of the detector, the first surface having a contour complementary to the sensing surface of the detector.
8 . The calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one reservoir includes a first reservoir filled with the first material and a second reservoir filled with a second material, the second material being distinct from the first material.
9 . The calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the detector is an optical detector.
10 . The calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the calibration system is mounted within a chamber of the detector.
11 . The calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the detector is mounted within the internal chamber of the housing.