A fiber-optic light-scattering spectrometer

A new fiber-optic light-scattering spectrometer, which uses fiber-optic detector probes each comprising of an optical fiber and a graded index microlens is described. The fiber-optic detectors form an integral part of the scattering cell, which no longer requires transparent windows for the exit (or entrance) light beam. This feature eliminates the need for a goniometer which is one of the most bulky and expensive components of a conventional light-scattering spectrometer. Thus, the spectrometer, unlike all of its predecessors, has no moving parts. Our fiber-optic light-scattering spectrometer can utilize a reaction vessel of whichever shape or composition as the scattering cell for light-scattering measurements because the fiber-optic detector probes are directly immersed in the scattering medium. Furthermore, with the miniaturization using the optical fiber/microlens combination, the light-scattering spectrometer can be held in the palm of one hand and the signals processed by standard optical fiber remote sensing techniques.