Optimization of light throughput in portable spectral analysis instrumentation

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Wilson Analytical is an Edmonton-based manufacturer of optical instrumentation, with a particular focus on rugged field-deployable fluorescence, absorption, and Raman spectroscopy instruments for the life-sciences, energy, agriculture, and educational applications, amongst others.The company has identified a set of challenges related to their 'Raman One' instrument:i. The instrument employs high-power, spatially multi-modal lasers, which creates challenges with respect to efficient delivery and focusing of this pump light at the sample plane. There is a need to optimize the optical path between the light source and the sample.ii. The instrument employs a miniature transmission-grating based spectrometer engine, and there is a need to optimize the optical path between the sample and the spectrometer engine.Wilson also markets a suite of 'Lightbox' instruments, which are stabilized, high brightness light sources. Currently, these instruments output a free-space beam. However, the company has identified a need to offer fiber-optic-coupled versions of these light sources, and the proposed work will also address challenges related to this need.Working closely with Wilson Analytical engineers and chemists, the university researchers will apply their extensive experience in fiber and free-space optics to these real-world challenges, and will deliver an improved design of the optical interfaces through the use of appropriate lenses, fibers, or mirrors. The resulting improved instruments will offer greater flexibility for delivery of pump light to liquid and solid samples, while maintaining the key advantages of the instruments already marketed by Wilson Analytical (e.g. rugged construction, portability, and low cost).We anticipate that this project will yield significantly improved instruments, thereby enhancing the competitive position of the industrial partner.