WO2023139508A1

WO2023139508A1 - Ribbon optics (ro) assembly for multi-channel optical configurations in spectroscopy instrumentation

Info

Publication number: WO2023139508A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/050452
Authority: WO
Inventors: Priyadarshan Divyadarshan Pant
Original assignee: Metal Power Analytical Private Limited
Priority date: 2022-01-19
Filing date: 2023-01-19
Publication date: 2023-07-27

Abstract

The present disclosure envisages a ribbon optics assembly (100) for spectroscopy instrumentation. A light source (20) generates an input light for the spectroscopy instrumentation. A primary coupling optics (21) receives the input light and guides the light to a desired direction. A dispersing element (12) disperses the light received from the primary coupling optics (21). Spectrometer optics (22) receives the dispersed light from the dispersing element (12). A signal enhancing optics (23) enhances the strength of the dispersed light and an optical detection unit (24) including an electronic circuit board and an array of detectors (1). The detectors (1) generate signals based on the incident dispersed input light. A signal analysis system (25) comprises a series of data acquisition electronic components to capture, amplify and process the signals received from the array of detectors (1) to achieve a desired signal to noise ratio (SNR).

Description

RIBBON OPTICS (RO) ASSEMBLY FOR MULTI-CHANNEL OPTICAL CONFIGURATIONS IN SPECTROSCOPY INSTRUMENTATION

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to spectral measurement systems in the field of emission and absorption spectroscopy. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a spectral measurement system with small number of optical and opto-mechanical parts for multi-channel optics without having any complex moving or scanning mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

In the field of spectroscopy instrumentation especially when it comes to multi-channel optics, there is a serious need to avoid usage of complex adjustment and scanning mechanisms which affect the stability, accuracy and precision of the instrument in both short and long term, and to avoid usage of bulky and large number of optical, opto- mechanical assemblies which affect the manufacturability, consistency and reliability of the instruments. This condition demands expensive and complex solutions to maintain the assembly tolerances and adjustment mechanisms of the different optical and opto-mechanical assemblies.

Furthermore, when it comes to the deep ultraviolet wavelength ranges in higher-end spectroscopy instrumentation, especially when there are critical requirements for trace analysis, there is serious need to maintain hermetical sealings which would last for years with inert gas environments. This demand for usage of lesser number of potential leak points with simple, economic and robust designs which would promise long term stability of the spectroscopy instrumentation.

Any spectroscopy instrumentation demands for the capturing of the continuous wavelength range. All available spectroscopy instruments in the market have some missing wavelength information, which would limit the spectroscopy instrument capabilities in terms of creating useful configurations and carrying out future research.

One major disadvantage with Rowland circle configurations having smaller radius of curvatures is the lack of resolution throughout the detector area. If the resolution at the comers of the detector is maintained, the resolution at the center of the detector is lost and vice versa.

Many improvements in the field of spectroscopy are being attempted by using various methods and embodiments. Particularly, the major limitations like, avoiding use of complex scanning mechanisms, improving resolutions throughout the detector area, employing Rowland optics with smaller radius of curvatures and providing long term stabilities are being attempted and improved.

As recited in the publication US7579601B2, titled ‘Spectrometer with Moveable Detector Element’; a rotational mechanism to scan the full detector area is presented. It reduces the limitations on the sizes of the available detector to get high resolution, but it does not remove the usage of complex, bulky and expensive scanning mechanisms which would lead to low accuracy and precision in readings over a long period of time. Moreover, it does not provide improved resolutions over the detector area in Rowland circle optics configurations for the curved nature of the detector.

Another publication US9228900B2, titled ‘Multi -function Spectrometer-on-chip with Single Detector array discloses a multi detector array which is related to embedded polarizer to separate different modes. It combines different dispersive elements to form a single detector, which can separate and detect different polarization modes. The multi detector array described in this citation refers to a linear array detector. Moreover, the invention disclosed in this publication is not useful in spectroscopy instrumentation specially having Rowland circle configurations with detector lengths of few hundreds of millimeters to one meter. Further, this publication does not provide improved resolutions over the detector area in Rowland circle optics configurations for the curved nature of the detector.

The publication US7978324B2, titled ‘Multi Channel Array Spectrometer and method for using the same discloses a rotational mechanism with the help of filter wheel to scan different wavelengths. It can scan few selected wavelengths depending on the filters available in the market only, it does not cover the entire wavelength range and it cannot address the limitation of curved nature of the detectors used in the Rowland circle optics configurations. It also does not remove the usage of complex, bulky, and expensive scanning mechanisms which would lead to accuracy and precision related issues in readings over a long period of time. Further, the publication US7495761 B2, titled ‘Array Detector Coupled Spectra analytical System and graded blaze angle grating discloses though the title mentions ‘detector array’. It is a Rowland optics system with a grating having variable blaze angle. This distributes the signal strength in the wide wavelength range. It has single detector with flat surface and is mainly focused onto the grating with variable blaze angle. This publication is incapable in avoiding use of complex scanning mechanisms, improving resolutions throughout the detector area Rowland optics with smaller radius of curvatures, and providing long term stabilities and the like.

Moreover, the publication US20050109918A1, titled ‘Solid-state Curved Focal Plane Arrays’ teaches a solid-state curved detector to address the Petzval focus on imaging systems. This detector addresses the lack of resolution at the end of the detector surfaces by reducing the wavefront error at the comers. This invention would not resolve the limitations recited above, because, it is a single detector and a huge and expensive set- ups are needed to make the solid-state detectors as big as half a meter. There is no choice to choose the detector with desired radius.

Therefore, there is felt a need for a ribbon optics (RO) assembly for multi-channel optical configurations for both emission and absorption spectroscopy instrumentation without complex moving or adjustment mechanisms that alleviates the above-mentioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

An object of the present disclosure is to provide Ribbon Optics (RO) assembly for multichannel optical configurations in spectroscopy instrumentation.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide RO assembly for multi-channel optical configurations in spectroscopy instrumentation that eliminates the requirement of using complex scanning mechanisms in monochromators with a Czerny turner optical configuration.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide RO assembly for multi-channel optical configurations in spectroscopy instrumentation that improves the reliability and consistency in both Czerny Turner and Rowland circle optical configurations by reorganizing the usage of multi-channel detectors.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide RO assembly for multi-channel optical configurations in spectroscopy instrumentation that efficiently utilizes a Rowland circle design to provide a high theoretical resolution and ability to capture the entire wavelength of interest.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide RO assembly for multi-channel optical configurations in spectroscopy instrumentation that reduces the usage of complex folding mirrors configurations.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide RO assembly for multi-channel optical configurations in spectroscopy instrumentation that avoids usage of complex, bulky, and expensive mechanisms.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages a ribbon optics (RO) assembly for spectroscopy instrumentation. The RO assembly comprises a light source, a primary coupling optics, a dispersing element, a spectroscopy optics, and a signal analysis system. The light source is configured to generate an input light for the spectroscopy instrumentation. The primary coupling optics is configured to receive the input light and guide the light to a desired direction. The dispersing element is configured to disperse the light received from the primary coupling optics.

The spectroscopy optics is configured to receive the dispersed light from the dispersing element. The spectroscopy optics comprises a signal enhancing optics and an optical detection unit. The signal enhancing optics is configured to enhance the strength of the dispersed light. The optical detection unit includes an electronic circuit board and an array of detectors where the array of detectors is mounted on the electronic circuit board. Each of the detectors has a photosensitive area, wherein a gap between the photosensitive areas of adjacent detectors in both horizontal and vertical direction is in the range of sub-millimeter. The detectors is configured to generate signals based on the incident dispersed input light. In an embodiment, the electronic circuit board is a curved electronic circuit board or a flat electronic circuit board.

In another embodiment, the curved electronics board has a radius of curvature equivalent to a diameter of a Rowland circle in a Rowland circle spectrometer Optics configuration.

In still another embodiment, the flat electronics board is used in a Czerny-Turner spectrometer optics configuration.

In an embodiment, detectors are selected from the group consisting of photodiodes, linear detectors, and area array detectors or a combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the detectors are arranged vertically on top of one another in a vertical direction such that a vertical distance between the photosensitive areas of the adjacent detectors is in the range of sub-millimeter.

In still another embodiment, the detectors are arranged horizontally next to one another such that the distance between the photosensitive areas of the adjacent detectors is in the range of sub-millimeter.

The signal analysis system comprises a series of data acquisition electronic components to capture, amplify and process the signals received from the array of detectors to achieve a desired signal to noise ratio (SNR).

In an embodiment, the spectroscopy optics is selected from the group consisting of a Rowland circle configuration, a Czerny-Turner configuration, a modified Rowland circle configuration, and a crossed Czerny-Turner optics configuration.

In another embodiment, the ribbon optics assembly includes a collimating optics configured to collimate the light to direct towards a dispersing element. The dispersing element is configured to disperse the light and further the disperse light is incident on the optical detection unit.

In still another embodiment, the ribbon optics assembly includes a focusing optics which is configured to focus the light on to the optical detection unit by using a focusing mirror. In an embodiment, the light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser induced, a glow discharge, an inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and a Direct-current plasma (DCP) arc source.

In another embodiment, the dispersing element is selected from the group consisting of a grating with plane, a concave reflecting surface, and a toroidal reflecting surface.

In still another embodiment, the signal enhancing optics includes a combination of cylindrical lenses, toroidal lenses, mirrors, and micro array lenses to enhance the signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

Ribbon Optics (RO) assembly for multi-channel optical configurations in spectroscopy instrumentation of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of Ribbon Optics assembly for spectroscopy instrumentation (RO-SI), in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates an optical detection unit with Type 1 configuration (array of detectors in vertical direction), in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates the optical detection unit with Type 2 configuration (array of detectors in horizontal direction), in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates the optical detection unit with type 1 configuration with flexible electronics board, in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 5 illustrates the optical detection unit with type 1 configuration with curved electronics board, in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 6 illustrates the RO assembly comprising optical detection unit with type 1 configuration with curved or flexible electronics board mounted on to a mount, in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 7 illustrates the RO assembly with the Rowland circle configuration in an embodiment 1, in accordance with the present disclosure; Figure 8 illustrates the RO assembly with the Czerny Turner configuration in an embodiment 2, in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 9 illustrates the optical detection unit with signal enhancing optics to improve the SNR, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

Figure lOa-lOb illustrates the optical detection unit with signal enhancing optics method 2 to improve the SNR, in accordance with the present disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 - Detectors

2 - Flat Ribbon Optics

3 - Flexible Ribbon Optics

4 - Curved Ribbon Optics

5 - Ribbon Optics (RO) mounts

6 - Optics Chamber

7 - Grating Mount

8 - Diffraction grating

9, 10 - Optical slit

11 - Collimating optics

12 - Dispersing element

13 - Focusing optics

14 - Combination of lenses

15 - Vertical axes

16 - Horizontal axes

17a - Smaller Sagittal focus 17b - Wider Sagittal focus

18 - Plane of the Ribbon optics (RO)

19 - Toroidal Grating

20 - Light Source

21 - Primary Coupling Optics

22 - Spectrometer Optics

23 - Signal Enhancing Optics

24 - Optical Detection Unit

25 - Signal Analysis System

100 - Ribbon Optics assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The present disclosure envisages a Ribbon Optics (RO) assembly for different types of multichannel optical configurations for deep ultraviolet to near IR wavelength region for emission and absorption spectroscopy instrumentation. With reference to Figure 1, the RO assembly 100 for spectroscopy instrumentation (RO-SI) comprises of a light source 20, primary coupling optics 21, spectrometer optics 22, signal enhancing optics 23, an optical detection unit 24 and a signal analysis system 25.

The light source 20 is configured to generate input light for the emission or absorption spectroscopy instrumentation. The light source 20 is selected from laser induced, glow discharge, an inductively coupled plasma (ICP), or a Direct-current plasma (DCP) arc which generates plasma or spark and/or arc or any regular lamps. The primary coupling optics 21 is configured to receive the input light and further configured to guide the input light to a desired direction. The primary coupling optics 21 includes combination of lenses, mirrors and fiber optic cables.

The dispersing element 12 is configured to disperse the input light received from the primary coupling optics 21. In an embodiment, the dispersing element 12 is selected from the group consisting of a grating with plane, a concave reflecting surface, and a toroidal reflecting surface.

The spectrometer optics 22 is configured to receive dispersed input light from the dispersing element 12. In an embodiment, the spectrometer optics 22 is selected from the group consisting of a Rowland circle configuration, a Czerny-Turner configuration, a modified Rowland circle configuration, and a crossed Czerny-Turner optics configuration.

The optical detection unit 24 comprises an electronic circuit board, and an array of detectors 1. The array of detectors 1 is mounted on to the electronic circuit board as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. Each of the detectors 1 has a photosensitive area, wherein a gap between the photosensitive areas of the adjacent detectors 1 in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction is in the range of sub-millimeter. Few detectors 1 have the photosensitive areas are little offset to its symmetrical detector center. In those cases, the photosensitive areas of adjacent detectors are placed as if they were on the top of another by reducing the vertical distance between them. In Figure 3, the detectors 1 are placed side by side by reducing the horizontal distance of the photosensitive areas in the range of sub-millimeter, and suffer with the missing wavelength region.

In an embodiment, the detectors 1 are selected from the group consisting of photo diodes or linear or area array detectors i.e., CCDs, CMOS and back thinned CCDs of various sizes.

The optical detection unit 24 is flexible as possible to form a Curved Ribbon Optics (RO) 4, a flat Ribbon Optics (RO) 2 and a flexible Ribbon Optics (RO) 3 with non-conventional curvatures and shapes as shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 and Figure 5, respectively. The optical detection unit 24 takes the form of its Ribbon Optics (RO) mount 5 as shown in Figure 6 depending upon the design requirements.

The optical detection unit 24 is made such that the printed electronic circuit board is flexible enough to make reasonable shapes with the help of their RO mounts 5 for the spectroscopy applications. In an embodiment, with reference to Figure 2, the optical detection unit 24 comprises of a curved electronics board having radius of curvature equivalent to a Rowland circle diameter for multi-channel optics modules with a Rowland circle spectrometer Optics configuration. In another embodiment, the optical detection unit 24 comprises of a flat electronics board for multi-channel optics modules with a Czerny Turner spectrometer Optics configuration as shown in Figure 3. Advantageously, the optical detection unit 24 occupies the shape of the RO 5 mount as shown in Figure 6.

In the spectroscopy instrumentation, the light from a light source 20 is directed towards the spectrometer optics 22 through primary light coupling optics 21, falls directly onto a dispersing element 12. Further, the dispersed light gets focused on to the curved Ribbon Optics 4 in the Rowland circle configuration. With reference to Figure 7, the light from the light source 20 is guided towards the optics chamber 6 and to the primary slit 9, and further on to the diffraction grating 8, which is mounted onto a grating mount 7. The diffraction grating 8 is configured to diverge the diffracted light on the optical detection unit 24. The collected signal is further transferred to the signal analysis system 25.

In the spectroscopy instrumentation, the light coming from a light source 20 is directed towards the spectrometer optics 22 through primary light coupling optics 21, falls on to a collimating mirror, then the collimated light falls on to a dispersing element 12, then the dispersed light gets focused on to the suitable flat Ribbon Optics 2 by a focusing mirror with Czerny- Turner optics configuration.

The signal enhancing optics 23 is positioned in front of the optical detection unit 24 and is further configured to enhance the strength of the dispersed light received from the dispersing element 12. In an embodiment, the signal enhancing optics 23 includes a combination of lenses, cylindrical lenses, toroidal lenses, mirrors and micro array lenses to enhance the signal.

The dispersed input light is directed on the optical detection unit 24 and the array of detectors 1 is configured to generate signals based on the incident dispersed input light.

The signal analysis system 25 comprises a series of data acquisition electronics components to capture, amplify, and process the signals received from the array of detectors 1 to reduce the noise and achieve the desired SNR.

The unique embodiments provide improved resolutions, ability to capture the entire wavelength of interest, avoid usage of complex, bulky and expensive mechanisms.

The optical detection unit 24 for spectroscopy instrumentation is presented in two embodiments. In first embodiment the optical detection unit 24 is applied to Rowland circle configuration as shown in Figure 7 and in the second embodiment the optical detection unit 24 is applied to Czerny Turner configuration as shown in Figure 8.

In the first embodiment as shown in Figure 7, the light that is coming from a light source 20 is directed towards the spectrometer optics 22 through primary coupling optics 21 falls directly onto a dispersing element 9. The dispersed light gets focused on to the curved Ribbon Optics (RO) 4 in Rowland circle configuration. The light coming from the light source 20 is directed towards spectrometer optics 22 through a primary coupling optics 21. The light coming from the primary coupling optics 21 falls on to optical slit(s) 9, then on to a dispersing element 8. The dispersed light is directed and focused on to the optical detection unit 24. The signal enhancing optics 23 is configured to enhance the strength of the dispersed light received from the dispersing element 8.

The embodiment shown in Figure 7 provides unique advantages over its conventional counter designs. It reduces the usage of bulky and of large no. of optical, opto- mechanical assemblies which would affect the manufacturability, consistency and reliability of the spectroscopy instrument. This would demand expensive and complex solutions to maintain the assembly tolerances and adjustment mechanisms of the different optical and opto-mechanical assemblies.

Furthermore, when it comes to the deep ultraviolet wavelength ranges in higher-end spectroscopy instrumentation, especially when there are critical requirements for trace analysis, there is serious need to maintain hermetical sealings which would last for years with inert gas environments. These demands for usage of lesser number of potential leak points with simple, economic and robust designs which would promise long term stability of the spectroscopy instrumentation. The embodiment addresses all these limitations and provides simpler design with improved manufacturability, reliability and consistency.

The spectroscopy instrumentation demands for the capturing of the continuous wavelength range. Currently available spectroscopy instruments in the market have some missing wavelength information, which would limit the spectroscopy instrument capabilities in terms of creating useful configurations and doing future research. The optical detection unit 24 provides the capability to capture the continuous wavelength range.

One major disadvantage with Rowland circle configurations having smaller radius of curvatures is the lack of resolution throughout the detector area. If the resolution at the comers of the detector 1 is maintained, the resolution at the center of the detector 1 is lost and vice versa. Unique curved profile of the optical detection unit 24 removes all the limitation of the geometrical tradeoff for the resolution and gets the highest possible resolution in the entire detector area even with optics modules having smaller Rowland circle configurations.

In the second embodiment shown in Figure 8, the light that is coming from a light source 20 is directed towards the spectrometer optics 22 through primary coupling optics 21 falls onto a collimating optics 11, the collimated light then directed towards a dispersing element 12. The dispersed light from the dispersing element 12 is directed towards a focusing optics 13, which focuses the dispersed light on to the flat Ribbon Optics (RO) 2. The light coming from the light source 20 or lamp source, or emission or absorption source is directed towards spectrometer optics 22 through a primary coupling optics 21. The light coming from the primary coupling optics 21 falls on to optical slit(s) 10, then on to a collimating optics 11. The collimating optics 11 is selected from lenses, mirrors and/or combination of them. The collimated light then directed towards a dispersing element 12. The dispersed light falls on to a focusing optics 13. The light from the focusing mirror is focused on to the optical detection unit 24. Further, the signal enhancing optics 23 is configured to improve the strength of the light received from the focusing optics 13.

This embodiment provides unique advantages over its conventional counter designs. It reduces the usage of bulky and of large no. of optical, opto- mechanical assemblies which would affect the manufacturability, consistency and reliability of the spectroscopy instrument. This would demand expensive and complex solutions to maintain the assembly tolerances and adjustment mechanisms of the different optical and opto-mechanical assemblies. The second embodiment removes the usage of complex adjustment, scanning, bulky & expensive mechanisms with the optical detection 24.

Presently, one important limitation is the detector sizes in the market. This is critical parameter to achieve the higher resolutions. The present second embodiment enables to make any desired detector length to achieve the highest resolutions as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 9 illustrates the optical detection unit with signal enhancing optics to improve the SNR. The signal enhancing optics 23 is configured to enhance the strength of the dispersed light and to improve signal strength. Usage of toroidal gratings instead of concave gratings improves the signal to multi folds. The shorter the sagittal focus, the better is the signal strength. Using toroidal gratings 19, the sagittal focus 17 becomes small to improve the signal as shown in Figure 10a and Figure 10b.

Figure 10a and 10b illustrates the signal enhancing method by using toroidal grating. In Figure 10a the grating 10 have the two perpendicular axes, horizontal axes 16 and vertical axes 15. In concave gratings, horizontal axes 16 and vertical axes 15 have same radius of curvatures, where as in toroidal gratings 19 the radius of curvatures of horizontal axes 16 and vertical axes 15 are different. The toroidal gratings 19 are selected such that the length of the sagittal focus 17 becomes smaller at the plane back of the Ribbon Optics 18, so that the detector 1 captures more signals for signal enhancement.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of Ribbon Optics (RO) assembly for multi-channel optical configurations in spectroscopy instrumentation, that: • eliminates the usage of the complex scanning mechanisms in monochromators with a Czerny turner optical configuration;

• improves the reliability and consistency in both Czerny Turner and Rowland circle optical configurations by reorganizing the usage of multi-channel detectors;

• efficiently utilize a Rowland circle design to provide highest theoretical resolution and ability to capture the entire wavelength of interest;

• reduces the usage of complex folding mirrors configurations; and

• avoids usage of complex, bulky and expensive mechanisms.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An optical detection unit (24) comprising:

• an electronic circuit board; and

• an array of detectors (1) mounted on said electronic circuit board, each of said detectors (1) having a photosensitive area, wherein a gap between the photosensitive areas of adjacent detectors in both horizontal and vertical direction is in the range of sub-millimeter.

2. The optical detection unit (24) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit board is a curved electronic circuit board or a flat electronic circuit board.

3. The optical detection unit (24) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said curved electronics board has a radius of curvature equivalent to a diameter of a Rowland circle in a Rowland circle spectrometer Optics configuration.

4. The optical detection unit (24) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said flat electronics board is used in a Czerny-Turner spectrometer optics configuration.

5. The optical detection unit (24) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detectors (1) are selected from the group consisting of photodiodes, linear detectors, and area array detectors or a combination thereof.

6. The optical detection unit (24) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detectors (1) are arranged vertically on top of one another in a vertical direction such that a vertical distance between the photosensitive areas of the adjacent detectors is in the range of sub-millimeter.

7. The optical detection unit (24) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detectors (1) are arranged horizontally next to one another such that the distance between the photosensitive areas of the adjacent detectors is in the range of sub-millimeter.

8. A ribbon optics assembly (100) for spectroscopy instrumentation, said assembly (100) comprising:

• a light source (20) configured to generate an input light for said spectroscopy instrumentation;

• a primary coupling optics (21) configured to receive said input light and guide said light to a desired direction;

• a dispersing element (12) configured to disperse said light received from said primary coupling optics (21);

• a spectrometer optics (22) configured to receive said dispersed light from said dispersing element (12), said spectroscopy optics comprising: o a signal enhancing optics (23) configured to enhance the strength of said dispersed light; o an optical detection unit (24) including an electronic circuit board and an array of detectors (1), said array of detectors (1) mounted on said electronic circuit board, each of said detectors (1) having a photosensitive area, wherein a gap between the photosensitive areas of adjacent detectors in both horizontal and vertical direction is in the range of sub-millimeter, said detectors (1) configured to generate signals based on the incident dispersed input light, and

• a signal analysis system (25) comprising a series of data acquisition electronic components to capture, amplify and process said signals received from said array of detectors (1) to achieve a desired signal to noise ratio (SNR). The ribbon optics assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said spectrometer optics (22) is selected from the group consisting of a Rowland circle configuration, a Czerny-Turner configuration, a modified Rowland circle configuration, and a crossed Czerny-Turner optics configuration. The ribbon optics assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, which includes a collimating optics (11) configured to collimate the light to direct towards a dispersing element (12), said dispersing element (12) is configured to disperse said light, said disperse light is incident on said optical detection unit (24). The ribbon optics assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, which includes a focusing optics (13), configured to focus the light on to said optical detection unit (24), by using a focusing mirror. The ribbon optics assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said light source (20) is selected from the group consisting of a laser induced, a glow discharge, an inductively coupled plasma (I CP), and a Direct-current plasma (DCP) arc source. The ribbon optics assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said dispersing element (12) is selected from the group consisting of a grating with plane, a concave reflecting surface, and a toroidal reflecting surface. The ribbon optics assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said signal enhancing optics (23) includes a combination of cylindrical lenses, toroidal lenses, mirrors, and micro array lenses to enhance the signal.