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Abstract

System and method for analyzing spectral data from an optical fiber waveguide. Light from the waveguide is directed to a diffraction grating which separates the light into its spectral components and directs these components toward a light responsive detector. The grating is rotated to cause spectral components of different wavelengths to sweep across the detector, and a sensor provides a signal corresponding to the angular position of the grating. A table of calibration data is generated by introducing monochromatic light of known wavelength into the waveguide, positioning the grating to cause the light at two known points in the spectrum of the monochromatic light to impinge upon the detector, and utilizing the wavelength of the monochromatic light and the values of the sensor signal at the two known points to define the relationship between the sensor signal and the detected wavelength for a plurality of grating positions. The calibaration data and the sensor signal are utilized to determine the wavelength of light peaks produced by a sample, and they are also utilized to generate a control signal for positioning the grating very accurately to detect light of a given wavelength. In one disclosed embodiment, two detectors having different spectral responses are employed, and light in different portions of the spectrum is detected by respective ones of the detectors.

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First Claim