U.S. patent application number 12/009492 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for self referencing led detection system for spectroscopy applications.
Invention is credited to Mathias Belz.
Application Number | 20080174768 12/009492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63077639 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080174768 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Belz; Mathias |
July 24, 2008 |
Self referencing LED detection system for spectroscopy
applications
Abstract
A light emitting diode (LED) based detection system is employed
for spectroscopy based applications. LEDs are used as monochromatic
light sources for applications at specific and pre-defined
wavelengths. Spectrographic information is generated using LEDs of
different wavelengths ranging from 260 nm to 1400 nm. Multiple
wavelength information is generated by coupling light from each LED
into an intensity and mode mixing fiber bundle. A dual beam
approach of using a reference and a sample photodiode ensures
automatic drift correction. Interference filters at the LED input
fiber reduce the spectral bandwidth of the monochromatic light
emission to a useful 10 nm bandwidth by cutting off the LEDs
trailing emission distribution allowing for absorbance measurements
similar to typical spectrometers.
Inventors: |
Belz; Mathias; (Sarasota,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALIX YALE & RISTAS LLP
750 MAIN STREET, SUITE 1400
HARTFORD
CT
06103
US
|
Family ID: |
63077639 |
Appl. No.: |
12/009492 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60885588 |
Jan 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
356/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07D 487/04 20130101;
G01N 21/255 20130101; G01N 21/3151 20130101; C07D 209/94 20130101;
C07D 491/04 20130101; C07D 209/52 20130101; C07D 495/04 20130101;
G01N 21/253 20130101; C07D 209/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
356/73 |
International
Class: |
G01N 21/00 20060101
G01N021/00 |
Claims
1. A method for spectroscopically analyzing a sample in a cell
comprising: (a) energizing an LED to emit radiation at a selected
wavelength; (b) transmitting the radiation to the cell via a fiber
optic element and optically coupling the radiation to the sample;
(c) transmitting radiation from the sample to a sample
photodetector via a fiber optic element; (d) transmitting the
radiation from the LED via a fiber optic element to a reference
photodetector; and (e) comparing the radiation detected by said
sample photodetector and said reference photodetector.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising filtering said
radiation of step (a) to reduce the bandwidth.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein filtering said radiation comprises
coating said element.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises
emitting a train of pulses with the selected wavelength.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of comparing further
comprises generating a signal indicative thereof and further
comprising using the signal to determine the presence of the
sample.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell is a liquid wavelength
capillary cell.
7. A method for spectroscopically analyzing a sample in a cell
comprising: (a) energizing a plurality of LEDs wherein each LED
emits radiation at a selected wavelength; (b) transmitting the
radiation to the cell and optically coupling the radiation to the
sample; (c) transmitting the radiation from the sample via a fiber
optic element to a sample photodetector; (d) transmitting the
radiation from each LED via a fiber optic element to a reference
photodetector; and (e) comparing the radiation simultaneously
detected by said sample photodetector and said reference
photodetector.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises sequentially
energizing said LEDs.
9. A method for spectroscopically analyzing samples comprising: (a)
placing a plurality of samples in a plurality of cells; (b)
energizing a plurality of LEDs to emit radiation at a plurality of
selected wavelengths; (c) transmitting radiation at each selected
wavelength via a fiber optic element to each said cell and coupling
said radiation to each said sample; (d) transmitting radiation from
each said cell sample via a fiber optic element to corresponding
photodetector; (e) transmitting radiation at each selected
wavelength to a reference photodetector; and (f) comparing
radiation detected at each sample photodetector with the radiation
detected at said reference photodetector.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein step (b) further comprises
pulsing said LEDs.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) further comprising
mixing the radiation from each LED.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of pulsing the LEDs
comprises producing a sequence of intervals of no emitted radiation
and further comprising comparing radiation detected at said
reference detector during emission to radiation detected during a
no emission interval to compensate for stray radiation.
13. An instrument for spectroscopically analyzing a sample
comprising: a first LED which emits radiation at a first
wavelength; a second LED which emits radiation at a second
wavelength; a first transmitter channel comprising a fiber optic
element to transmit radiation from the first LED to a first optical
output port; a second transmitter channel comprising a fiber optic
element to transmit radiation from the second LED to a second
optical output port; a reference photodetector; a first reference
channel comprising a fiber optic element to transmit radiation from
the first LED to the reference photodetector; a second reference
channel comprising a fiber optic element to transmit radiation from
the second LED to the reference photodetector; a first sample
photodetector in optical communication with a first input optical
port; a second sample photodetector in optical communication with a
second input optical port; and a microcontroller in communication
with said first LED and second LED and said reference, first sample
and second sample photodetectors so that said LEDs are energized
and first and second signals indicative of radiation detected by
said first and second sample photodetectors and a reference signal
indicative of radiation detected by said reference photodetector
are generated.
14. The instrument of claim 13 further comprising a filter which
filters radiation to at least one transmitter channel.
15. The instrument of claim 13 further comprising a driver for each
LED, said driver being responsive to signals generated by said
microcontroller.
16. The instrument of claim 16 further comprising a converter in
communication with said photodetectors and said microcontroller,
wherein the intensities of the radiation emitted by the LEDs are
scaled.
17. An instrument for spectroscopically analyzing a sample
comprising: a first LED which emits radiation at a first
wavelength; a second LED which emits radiation at a second
wavelength; an optical mixer; a first transmitter channel
comprising a fiber optic element to transmit radiation from the
first LED to said optical mixer; a second transmitter channel
comprising a fiber optic element to transmit radiation from the
second LED to said optical mixer; a reference photodetector; a
reference channel comprising a fiber optic element to transmit
radiation from said optical mixer to said reference photodetector;
an output channel comprising a fiber optic element to transmit
radiation from said optical mixer to an output port; a sample
photodetector in optical communication with an input port; a second
input optical port; and a microcontroller in communication with
said first LED and second LED and said reference and sample
photodetectors so that said LEDs are energized to emit a train of
radiation pulses and a sample signal indicative of radiation
detected by said sample photodetector and a reference signal
indicative of radiation detected by said reference photodetector
are generated.
18. The instrument of claim 17 further comprising a driver for each
LED, said driver being responsive to signals generated by said
microcontroller.
19. The instrument of claim 18 further comprising a converter in
communication with said photodetectors and said microcontroller,
wherein the intensities of the radiation emitted by the LEDs are
scaled.
20. The instrument of claim 19 further comprising a plurality of
output ports and a plurality of output channels comprising a fiber
optic element to transmit radiation from said optical mixer to an
output port.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/885,588 filed Jan. 20, 2007.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Absorption spectroscopy uses the range of electromagnetic
spectra in which a substance absorbs. In absorption spectroscopy
light of a particular wavelength is passed through the sample.
After calibration, the amount of absorption can be related to the
sample concentration through the Beer-Lambert law. Examples of
absorption spectroscopy include, for example, ultraviolet/visible
(UVNIS) absorption spectroscopy (most often performed on liquid
samples to detect molecular content) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy
(most often performed on liquid, semi-liquid (paste or grease),
dried, or solid samples to determine molecular information,
including structural information).
[0003] Spectroscopic analysis typically uses a spectrometer. The
spectrometer typically includes a radiation source such as a
deuterium, tungsten or xenon lamp capable of emitting radiation
over a very broad range of wavelengths. The light is coupled into a
sample held in a sample cell. The spectrometer filters the light
emitted by the lamp, before or after coupling with the sample, by
use of monochromators, filters, gratings, etc. A detector, for
example, a photodiode, photomultiplier, photodiode array, or CCD
array, quantifies the amount of light passed through (absorption)
or emitted by (fluorescence) the sample to provide a detectable
signal. While this equipment provides analysis flexibility, it also
requires complicated and expensive light sources, gratings,
monochromators and other components to take advantage of this
flexibility.
[0004] Some experiments and tests do not need a spectrometer with
full wavelength coverage, but may be performed using light in a
single wavelength or only a few wavelengths. For example,
applications in the oceanographic field include nutrient analysis,
e.g. nitrite/nitrate requiring light at only 540 nm, phosphate
requiring light at only 880 nm or 710 nm and iron requiring light
at only 562 nm when using calorimetric techniques. Further,
applications in biochemistry include protein detection, which could
either be performed directly in the UV at 280 nm, or via
calorimetric techniques, such as the modified Lowry Protein Assay,
with detection at 650 nm (normalized at 405 nm) or the Bradford
Assay, where the bound protein-dye complex is measured at 595 nm
and can be normalized in the 700 to 750 nm region. Most of these
analyses can be performed using single wavelength detection. Their
accuracy could be improved by using a second wavelength for
baseline offset and a third and/or fourth wavelength for simple
absorbance shape detection to eliminate or indicate other
calorimetric substances in the sample solution and correct for
them. However, in some applications these improvements are not
needed.
[0005] LEDs have long been used as quasi-monochromatic light
sources. They are readily available for nearly all parts of visible
light spectra. Recently UV LEDs with emission wavelength as low as
250 nm have become commercially available. Belz, M., Photonics West
2007. Many application specific LED-based detection systems have
been developed and patented. Recently, an optical arrangement for
assay strips was designed and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,315,378.
It purportedly allowed the reliable reading of optical test strips
and was based on several LEDs and photodetectors. These detection
systems usually rely on single wavelength detection and may use a
second photodiode to correct for the inherent drift behavior of the
LED. A filterless chromatically variable light source, wherein
light is coupled via optical fibers from several LEDs into a single
optical fiber is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,303. The
disclosed light source allowed individual control of the intensity
of each LED to generate either light of a particular wavelength or
a white light spectrum.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] A self-referencing LED based detection system with multiple
wavelengths (LEDs) is employed for spectroscopy applications. The
system may be exemplified by a flow injection based absorbance
detection system, but is not limited to this application and may be
used for small sample volume discrete measurements, as well as for
fluorescence applications. Although LEDs have the tendency to drift
in light output power as a function a temperature caused by
self-heating, stable output powers can be achieved by driving them
in constant current mode and measuring their output with a
reference detector. Detection at multiple wavelengths is realized
by using several LEDs which emit at different wavelengths, coupling
each of them into an optical fiber and coupling these fibers into a
single fiber of large diameter for mixing their emission spectra
and providing a stable consistent light output at the end of the
large mixing fiber. Light is coupled to a reference photodiode and
to the fiber optic output at the end of the fiber.
[0007] A sample cell is connected to the detection system via the
fiber optic output and the sample photodiode input. LEDs are
switched on and off sequentially. Light output is measured
simultaneously by the reference photodiode and the sample
photodiode. Thus, dark, reference and sample intensity are detected
simultaneously and any LED drift or stray light can be corrected
for automatically, ensuring precise measurements and long-term
drift stability. To reduce the spectral bandwidth of the LEDs,
interference filters are either placed between the LED and the
coupling fiber or are coated directly on the LED coupling fiber to
optimize light throughput.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an annotated block diagram of an LED detection
instrument and associated sample cells;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an annotated block diagram of a UV LED detection
system with a reference channel for biochemistry applications;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an annotated block diagram of multi-channel VIS
LED detection system with a reference channel for oceanographic and
process control applications;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an annotated block diagram of a single channel
setup of a flow injection system;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a graph of a normalized absorbance for DNA and
Protein (BSA);
[0013] FIG. 6 is a graph of a normalized intensity distribution of
UV LEDs with a center wavelength of 260 nm and 280 nm, with and
without a 10 nm interference filter;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a graph of a simulated decrease of absorbance for
DNA at 260 nm and BSA at 280 nm wavelength as a function of
increasing the spectral bandwidth (FWHM) of a detection system;
and
[0015] FIG. 8 is a graph of absorbance of BSA at 280 nm versus
concentration measured with a TIDAS II.TM. spectrophotometer and an
LED detection system with and without a 10 nm bandpass filter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] An LED based spectrophotometric detection system performs
absorbance or fluorescence spectroscopy and may take several forms
as described below. One LED provides light at one wavelength or by
manually or automatically sequentially switching LEDs of different
colors (wavelengths) tailored for specific applications. In
advantageous variations the detection system may use a standard
interface such that different LED emission modules, each with LEDs
selected for a specific wavelength, can be attached.
Advantageously, the LED or LED modules selected will each provide
light in a narrow wavelength range falling within the UV, VIS, NIR
and IR region of the light spectrum. Such LEDs or LED emission
modules are supplied with power to emit light. The emitted light is
coupled into a sample held in a fiber optic sample cell, such as a
flow cell, long path cell, dipping probe, external curette holder
or a reflection probe. In one embodiment the sample is contained in
a liquid wavelength capillary cell (LWCC) marketed by World
Precision Instruments, Inc. Other compatible commercial sample
cells are fiber optic curette holders, DipTip.TM. fiber optic
probes and SpectroPipetter.TM. probes marketed by World Precision
Instruments, Inc.
[0017] A detector measures light passed through (absorption) or
emitted by (fluorescence) the sample to provide an indication of
the presence and/or amount of the sample present. An LED based
detection system used to measure fluorescence signals would have
much higher sensitivity than standard fiber optic based
spectrometers. A commercially available low noise photodiode is
used to detect LED emissions.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 1 a colorimetric detection instrument
designated generally by the numeral 10 is illustrated as it
interfaces with four sample cells 12, 14, 16 and 18 containing
samples 51, 52, 53 and 54 respectively. Advantageously, the
instrument 10 provided by the system functions like a dual beam
spectrometer for specific wavelength applications. In this
embodiment, as described below the instrument 10 is self correcting
for LED intensity drift by use of a reference channel, self
correcting for ambient light by measurement of dark current after
each pulsed sample or reference measurement and has the capability
to work with a phase locked loop to reject AC type stray light
influencing the light measurement.
[0019] With additional reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, embodiments of
additional LED detection systems 100 and 200 adapted for specific
applications are schematically illustrated. Block functions, inputs
and outputs for the various embodiments are discussed with
reference to FIG. 1. The instrument has a mechanical interface that
will accept two or more LEDs or LED modules of different
wavelengths which are selected for a specific analysis to be
undertaken. A microcontroller 20 provides control and interface
signals to the system components. The microcontroller 20 provides
timing and on/off control for the LED drivers 30.
[0020] A detector, for example a photodiode, is used to detect
light passed through, or emitted by, the samples and,
advantageously, from the reference. The detector current is
converted to voltage. This analog voltage may then advantageously
be converted into a digital signal by A/D 32 that will be sent to
the microcontroller 20. Reference and post experiment scaled and
converted data may be provided as inputs from the A/D converter 32.
The post experiment data will be sent as an output to the digital
to analog converter (DAC) 34 to provide analog values. The
instrument has a mechanical interface that will accept two or more
LEDs or LED modules of different wavelengths which are selected for
a specific analysis to be undertaken.
[0021] Detection instrument 10 functions as a self-referencing
optical detection system. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDS) 51-57 are
used as quasi-monochromatic light sources. They are sequentially
switched on and off to generate a train of light intensities at
different wavelengths. Up to 7 LEDS are possible in this
arrangement. In this arrangement, light of the different LEDs is
coupled via a optical fiber of e.g. 750 .mu.m core diameter into a
3000 .mu.m "fiber combiner" 60. The fiber combiner 60, uniformly
combines and mixes the light. Light is coupled out of the combiner
into five separate output fibers 61-65. One fiber 61 is directly
connected into a reference photodiode 40. The purpose of the
reference diode 40 is to quantify the LED light output and use it
to compensate for light power drift of the LED during the
measurement cycle.
[0022] A 16 bit digital to analog converter (DAC) 36 is used to
control the output of each individual LED 51-57, matching it to the
samples S1, S2, S3, S4, used. Four optical fibers 61-64 are used to
provide light to four independent external sample cells 12, 14, 16,
18 (Sample 1, 2, 3 & 4). Light is coupled into and out of the
sample cells via optical fibers. Four separate photodiodes 41-44
are used to measure the corresponding light levels exiting the
sample cells. A 24 bit A/D converter 32 is used to convert the
analog signals from the photodiodes 40-44 into the digital
domain.
[0023] The microcontroller 20 is used to control all aspects of the
measurement cycle. The 8 channel DAC 36 controlling the LED power
allows the instrument to optimize light throughput in the sample
cells, tailoring the light output of the sample cells to the analog
photodiode input of the instrument. A simple keyboard 22 allows for
setting the parameters of a measurement cycle. Parameters and
measurement results are displayed on the LCD display 24. The
measurement result is scaled to the DAC--Analog Output 34 and is
further available in digital format via the USB interface 26. Eight
digital inputs and eight outputs 28 are available to receive
trigger inputs and run experimental setups, such as, for example,
pump 72 and valve 74 illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0024] Methods can be programmed to automate experimental
procedures, such as e.g. fluid injection based nitrite/nitrate or
phosphate analysis. Further, a software package can communicate via
the USB interface 26 with the detection instrument to change
parameters and receive and store experimental data. In a single
measurement cycle, dark readings, sample readings and reference
readings are collected. One advantage of the system is that due to
its monochromatic light excitation principle, stray light effects
are far smaller than in traditional spectrometer systems. Thus, the
upper limit of the dynamic range of the detection system is
increased from the traditional 2 AU to 3-4 AU. A second advantage
of the system is that due to the constant tracking of the reference
signal, signal drift is virtually non-existent. Absorbance drifts
smaller than 0.5 mAU over a period of several days have been
obtained. Thirdly, due to the constant detection of the dark
output, stray light induced offsets from external light collection
are automatically corrected for. Fourthly, synchronous detection of
sample and reference signals is possible.
[0025] The following examples are included for purposes of
illustration so that the disclosure may be more readily understood
and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure
unless otherwise specifically indicated.
DNA AND RNA DETECTION EXAMPLE
[0026] With reference to FIG. 2, LED detection system 100 which
shows how detection instrument 10 maybe configured for DNA and RNA
detection, employs three UV LEDs (260, 280, 380 nm) designated 50A,
50B and 50C. Fiber optic coupling connects the LEDs to the
reference photodiode 40 and the sample photodiode 41 via a sample
cell 12. LEDs 50A, 50B, 50C were driven in current mode with 10 to
20 mA. A fiber optic bundle 80 with three input (one per LED) and
two outputs for the reference and the sample channel was prepared
from solarization resistant fused silica fibers. A fiber optic
cuvette holder and standard 10 mm quartz cuvettes were used for
sample analysis.
[0027] Traditional LEDs have a spectral bandwidth in the area of
7-30 nm with a trailing edge towards the longer wavelength. A
typical biochemistry example is the detection of DNA and BSA
concentrations at 260 nm and 280 nm, respectively. Pure DNA
exhibits an absorbance of 1.0 AU at 260 nm for a 50 .mu.g/mL
concentration, whereby a BSA standard solution of 2.0 mg/mL has an
absorbance of 1.33 AU at 280 nm. Further, the purity of DNA can be
determined calculating the absorbance ratio at 260 nm and 280 nm,
which should be 1.8 or above. However, to perform the measurements
correctly, the spectral instrument bandwidth has to be accounted
for. The spectral measured bandwidth full bandwith half maximum
(FWHM), of the clearly defined DNA and BSA absorbance peak is
approximately 43 nm and 31 nm, respectively. Traditionally,
measurements are performed with detector systems having a spectral
bandwidth (FWHM) of 1/10.sup.th of the sample absorbance peak. This
would result in an instrument bandwidth requirement of 4.3 nm and
3.1 nm for BSA and DNA. Nevertheless, in recent years,
spectrophotometers with bandwidth of 5 nm and above have been used
routinely in life science research for quantification and purity
determination of DNA. In a first approximation, the spectral
bandwidth of DNA and BSA can be estimated to 43 nm and 31 nm,
respectively. The peaks are spaced 20 nm apart, but overlap
significantly. DNA purity can be assessed by calculating the
absorbance ratio at 260 nm and 280 nm. Pure DNA, as used in this
example exhibits an absorbance ratio A260/A280>1.8
[0028] Following the Beer-Lambert-Bouguer law, the spectral
absorbance, ABS.sub.sample-spec(.lamda.), through a sample, is as
follows:
ABS Sample - Spec ( .lamda. ) = I Ref ( .lamda. ) I Sam ( .lamda. )
= ( .lamda. ) lc . ( 1 ) ##EQU00001##
[0029] It is proportional to the sample concentration, c, the path
length, I, and its material specific extinction coefficient,
.epsilon.(.lamda.), where I.sub.Ref(.lamda.) is the incident or
reference intensity, I.sub.Sam(.lamda.) is the transmitted or
sample intensity and .lamda. is the wavelength of light. The
spectral (reference) intensity distribution of a LED,
I.sub.REF-LED(.lamda.), can be approximated by a Gaussian intensity
distribution as follows:
I Ref - LED ( .lamda. ) = I 0 10 - ln ( 2 ) ( .lamda. - .lamda. c )
2 ( FWHM / 2 ) 2 . ( 2 ) ##EQU00002##
[0030] where I.sub.0 is the peak intensity, .lamda..sub.c is the
center wavelength of the LED or filter, if used, and FWHM
represents the spectral bandwidth measured as Full Width Half
Maximum. Thus, the LED light intensity distribution transmitted
through the sample, I.sub.Sam-LED(.lamda.) may be written as:
I.sub.Sam-LED(.lamda.)=I.sub.Ref-LED(.lamda.)10.sup.-ABS.sup.Sample-Spec-
.sup.(.lamda.) (3)
[0031] However, in the optical setup used, light intensity is
detected by a photodiode; in this case, the total absorbance of the
sample, ABS.sub.Sample-LED, measured with the LED detection scheme
can be estimated to be:
ABS Sample_LED = log .intg. .lamda. 1 .lamda. 2 I Ref - LED (
.lamda. ) I Sam - LED ( .lamda. ) .lamda. ( 4 ) ##EQU00003##
[0032] where .lamda..sub.1 and .lamda..sub.2 are the lower and the
upper limit, defined by a reduction of spectral intensity to less
than 5% related to the maximum 100% at center peak wavelength.
[0033] The effect of increasing the spectral bandwidth, measured as
FWHM, of the detection system on the absorbance signal, when
measuring DNA and 260 nm and BSA at 280 nm was simulated using
equations 1-4 and the results from FIG. 6. In particular, LED
intensity distributions with FWHM values ranging from 3 nm to 20 nm
were generated and ABS.sub.Sample-LED calculated. The decrease of
absorbance when measuring DNA at 260 nm wavelength as a function of
LED FWHM was found to be less significant than the decrease of BSA
absorbance at 280 nm. Allowing for a 5% decrease in absorbance, the
FWHM of the detection system could be increased from 2.5 nm
(spectral bandwidth of the spectrophotometer) to 9 nm and 13 nm for
BSA at 280 nm and DNA at 260 nm, respectively.
[0034] Relative spectral intensity distributions of UV LEDs with a
center wavelength at 260 nm and 280 nm as a function of wavelength
were measured with a spectrophotometer. The resolution of the
spectrometer was confirmed to be 2.5 nm using a mercury spectral
calibration lamp at 253.7 nm wavelength. Further, center-wavelength
matched interference filter with a resolution of 10 nm were placed
between UV-LED and the fiber coupling block to restrict their
spectral output (FIG. 6). The center wavelengths of the 260 nm and
280 nm LED were found to be 262 and 281 nm, respectively. FWHM of
both LEDs was 13 nm and 10 nm, respectively. Although the FWHM of
both LEDs may be adequate, light intensity above 10% can be seen
from 262 nm to 278 nm for the 260 nm LED and 281 nm to 293 nm for
the 280 nm LED. As light at these wavelengths may interfere with
the sample measurement, interference filters were employed.
Compared to the raw intensity distribution of the LEDs, the FWHM of
the 260 nm/filter combination was reduced to 8 nm and the 280
nm/filter combination to 7 nm wavelength. More importantly, the
intensity distributions became symmetric to the center wavelength
and the overlapping light levels in the 265 nm to 275 nm region
were significantly reduced. These separate optical components can
be replaced by coating the front end 82, 84, 86 of the coupling
fiber with an interference filter of appropriate wavelength.
[0035] BSA concentrations in the region of 0.1 mg/L to 8 mg/L were
prepared by gravimetric dilution in ultrapure water. Absorbance was
measured at 280 nm with a spectrophotometer and the LED detection
system 100 (FIG. 8). For comparison, absorbance was measured with
and without the interference filter. The TIDAS II.TM.
spectrophotometer marketed by World Precision Instruments, Inc.
exhibits a typical concentration to absorbance calibration. A
linear behavior is found between 0 and 2.3 AU; then, the stray
light of the detector limits the detection range. The LED detection
system 100 without the 280 nm interference filter shows strongly
non linear behavior between concentration and absorbance. This can
be explained by the fact, that the 280 nm LED emits light up to 310
nm wavelength, where there is only minor absorbance of BSA (FIG.
5). This effect is responsible for the increasing non-linearity of
the calibration curve, as the portion of light in this region stays
constant and reduces the total absorbance signal observed by the
sample photodiode 41 (FIG. 8). However, after the 280 nm bandpass
filter is implemented, spectral bandwidth of the 280 nm LED is
greatly reduced to 7 nm FWHM (FIG. 8).
[0036] With the filter installed, the concentration to absorbance
calibration improves significantly. Up to 3.0 AU can be measured
with this setup resulting into a R.sup.2 of 0.9991 in this range.
The spectrophotometer used for comparison only allows for an upper
detection limit of 2.3 AU due to stray light effects within its
polychromator. The greater dynamic range of the LED detection
system can be explained by the monochromatic nature of the
detection system. Only light at the wavelength of interest is
generated with the LED detection system and used for the
measurement.
[0037] The LED detection system 200 which employs seven LEDs 51-57
is adapted for use in oceanographic and process applications. The
selected wavelengths are indicated. Band pass or short pass filters
91-97 reduce the spectral bandwidths of the emitted radiation.
* * * * *