Optical probe with sampling window cleaning configuration

Abstract

A self-cleaning optical probe includes a probe body having a window with a surface oriented toward a sample under investigation. A sampling beam carrying wavelengths representative of the sample passes into the probe body through the window for analysis. A conduit, preferably forming part of the probe body, is used to carry a fluid to the surface of the window oriented toward the sample, and a partition proximate to the window is used to direct the fluid across the window as a laminar flow. The partition further includes an aperture through which the sampling wavelengths pass. This partition also permits a portion of the fluid to pass though the aperture to ensure that the sample under investigation does not reach the window. The fluid may be a liquid or gas, and is preferably a solvent to maximize window cleaning. Although the fluid may be discharged without entering into the environment being sampled, the fluid may also be discharged into the sample, depending upon the application, volume of the respective fluid/sample flows, and other such factors.

1 - 7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . An optical probe, comprising: 
 a probe body having a window with a surface oriented toward a sample under investigation;    an excitation beam following an excitation optical path through the probe body and the window to the sample under investigation;    a sampling beam carrying Raman or fluorescence wavelengths representative of the sample into the probe body through the window along a path generally counter-propagational to the excitation optical path; and    a structure operative to flood the window with fluid to keep it clean.    
   
   
       9 . The optical probe of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid is a solvent.  
   
   
       10 . The optical probe of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid is a liquid.  
   
   
       11 . The optical probe of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid is a gas.  
   
   
       12 . The optical probe of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid enters into the sample under investigation after flooding the window.  
   
   
       13 . The optical probe of  claim 8 , further including an optic operative to focus the excitation beam and collimate the sampling beam.