Highly compact multi-optical-junction optical flowcell and flexibly deployable optical sensing assemblies and systems for in-situ real-time spectroscopic measurements

摘要

A highly compact multi-optical-junction optical flowcell includes a housing having an internal channel, to which a plurality of source optical signal modules can be coupled, e.g., in a peripheral manner. The source optical signal modules can include a set of LEDs and/or semiconductor lasers, and can be coupled to the flowcell by way of a standard optical coupling such as an SMA-type optical connector. An excitation detection apparatus or subsystem can also be coupled to the flowcell to facilitate multiple types of optical measurements, including fluorescence spectroscopy, absorption spectroscopy, and turbidity measurements. A sensing apparatus or system that includes a multi-optical-junction optical flowcell, a plurality of source optical signal modules, and an excitation detection apparatus can be carried by or deployed on a wide variety of platforms, such as Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs), buoys, or other platforms, in a space efficient and power efficient manner.

主权项

1. An optical flowcell assembly comprising:
a housing having an axial extent, a transverse extent, a periphery, and an internal channel having a length extending along a portion of the housing's axial extent, parallel to an optical signal detection axis of the flowcell assembly; at least one fluid inlet configured for fluid communication with the internal channel; at least one fluid outlet configured for fluid communication with the internal channel; a plurality of transverse optical junctions configured for directing optical signals into the internal channel along an optical signal propagation path that is offset from the flowcell assembly's optical signal detection axis; and at least one axial optical junction configured for receiving optical signals propagating from the internal channel to the at least one axial optical junction.