Phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer

Abstract

A phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer having an excitation light source capable of emitting a pulse of light that will induce fluorescence in an external object. A photo detector for detecting the pulse and a circuit to synchronize a pulse of light from the excitation light source with a pulse of light from an external light source.

Claims

1. A phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer comprising, an excitation light source capable of inducing fluorescence in an external object; a fluorescence detector for detecting fluorescence in an external object, an external light source capable of generating a pulse of light and capable of inducing growth in a plant, a photodetector capable of detecting a pulse of light from the external light source and in communication with the excitation light source, and a circuit to synchronize a pulse of light from the excitation light source detected by the photodetector with a pulse of light from the external light source such that the pulse of light from the excitation light source and the pulse of light from the external light source are either in synch or out of synch with each other.

2. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 1 wherein the circuit to synchronize the excitation light source with a pulse generated by the external light source includes an electronic connection between the external light source and the excitation light source selected from the group of a wireless connection and a wired connection.

3. A phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer comprising, an excitation light source capable of inducing fluorescence in an external object; a fluorescence detector for detecting fluorescence in an external object, an external light source capable of generating a pulse of light, and a circuit to synchronize a pulse of light from the excitation light source with a pulse of light from the external light source, wherein the circuit to synchronize the excitation light source with a pulse generated by the external light source includes an external reference in communication with the external light source and the excitation light source.

4. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 1 wherein the excitation light source is selected from the group of a narrow band width emitting semiconductor, a light emitting diode, a laser, a pulsed laser, a pumped laser, a diode-pumped solid-state laser, a flashlamp pumped laser, a pulsed arc-discharge lamp, a xenon flashlamp, a xenon flashlamp in combination with an excitation filter, a continuous-emission lamp, a tungsten halogen lamp, a tungsten halogen lamp with an opto-mechanical interrupter and an excitation filter.

5. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 1 wherein the excitation light source is a laser diode.

6. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 1 wherein the excitation light source is a laser diode between 5 mW and 200 mW.

7. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 1 wherein the excitation light source includes a wavelength capable of promoting photosynthesis.

8. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 1 wherein the excitation light source is a laser in communication with a fiber optic cable.

9. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 1 where in the excitation light source is configured to provide a saturation pulse.

10. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 1 wherein the fluorescence detector is selected from an avalanche photo diode or a photo multiplier tube.

11. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 1, wherein the fluorescence detector is configured to detect the maximum fluorescence of the external object during saturation of the pulse.

12. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 1, wherein at least one of the excitation light and the fluorescence detector are directed toward a single location on the external object.

13. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 1, wherein at least one of the excitation light and the fluorescence detector are directed toward multiple locations on the external object.

14. A phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer comprising, an excitation light source capable of inducing fluorescence in an external object; a fluorescence detector for detecting fluorescence in an external object, an external light source capable of generating a pulse of light, and a circuit to synchronize a pulse of light from the excitation light source with a pulse of light from the external light source, wherein the fluorescence detector is an avalanche photo diode having an active area between 500 m and 800 m.

15. A phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer comprising, an excitation light source capable of inducing fluorescence in an external object; a fluorescence detector for detecting fluorescence in an external object, an external light source capable of generating a pulse of light, and a circuit to synchronize a pulse of light from the excitation light source with a pulse of light from the external light source, wherein the fluorescence detector is an avalanche photo diode having an optical long pass filter built-in.

16. A phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer comprising, an excitation light source capable of inducing fluorescence in an external object; a fluorescence detector for detecting fluorescence in an external object, an external light source capable of generating a pulse of light, and a circuit to synchronize a pulse of light from the excitation light source with a pulse of light from the external light source, wherein the fluorescence detector is an avalanche photo diode mounted into a collimator tube.

17. A phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer comprising, an excitation light source capable of inducing fluorescence in an external object; a fluorescence detector for detecting fluorescence in an external object, an external light source capable of generating a pulse of light and capable of inducing growth in a plant, a photodetector capable of detecting a pulse of light from the external light source and in communication with the excitation light source, and a circuit to synchronize a pulse of light from the excitation light source detected by the photodetector with a pulse of light from the external light source such that the pulse of light from the excitation light source and the pulse of light from the external light source are either in synch or out of synch with each other and wherein the fluorescence detector is an avalanche photo diode mounted into a collimator tube holding a lens.

18. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 17 wherein the lens is aspherical.

19. The phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer of claim 17 wherein the lens is at an angle to the excitation light source.

20. A phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer comprising, an excitation light source capable of inducing fluorescence in an external object; a fluorescence detector for detecting fluorescence in an external object, a photo detector for detecting a pulse generated by an external light source capable of inducing growth in a plant, a photodetector capable of detecting a pulse of light from the external light source and in communication with the excitation light source, and a phase synchronizing circuit to synchronize the excitation light source detected by the photodetector with a pulse generated by the external light source such that the pulse of light from the excitation light source and the pulse of light from the external light source are either in synch or out of synch with each other and wherein the phase synchronizing circuit can control at least one of the frequency, phase, intensity and duty cycle of the external light source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention will be more readily understood when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is an illustration of one embodiment of the present invention where the excitation light source has a connection with the external light source.

(4) FIG. 3 is an illustration of one embodiment of the present invention utilizing an external reference.

(5) FIG. 4 is an illustration of one embodiment of the present invention showing the arrangement of an avalanche photo diode, optical long pass filter, lens, collimator tube, and fiber optic cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(6) For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitations of the inventive scope is thereby intended, as the scope of this invention should be evaluated with reference to the claims appended hereto. Alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

(7) One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer has an excitation light source 1 capable of emitting light 2 that will induce fluorescence 3 in an external object 4. A fluorescence detector 5 for detecting fluorescence 2 in an external object 4 is also provided. The present invention may further include a photo detector 9 capable of detecting the pulse of light 7 from an external light source 8. The photo detector 9 may be connected to a circuit 6 which in turn may be connected to the excitation light source 1 that can synchronize a pulse of light 2 from the excitation light source 1 with a pulse of light 7 from an external light source 8. The circuit 6 may further be connected to the fluorescence detector 5.

(8) As shown in FIG. 2, the phase synchronizing pulse amplitude modulation fluorometer (PSPAMF) may include embodiments where the external light source 8 is included as a part of the PSPAMF. In these embodiments, the circuit 6 to synchronize the excitation light source 1 with a pulse 7 generated by the external light source 8 may include an electronic connection 10 between the external light source 8 and the circuit 6. The electrical connection 10 between the external light source and the excitation light source may be a wireless connection and it may be a wired connection. The circuit 6 may further be connected to the fluorescence detector 5.

(9) As shown in FIG. 3, the PSPAMF may include embodiments where the external light source 8 is a part of the PSPAMF and where the circuit 6 to synchronize the excitation light source 1 with a pulse 7 generated by the external light source 8 makes use of an external reference 11. In such embodiments, the external light source 8 and the excitation light source 1 may both be configured to detect signals 12 sent by the external reference 10. The circuit 6 may further be connected to the fluorescence detector 5.

(10) As shown in FIG. 4, the fluorescence detector of the the PSPAMF may include an avalanche photo diode 13 in communication with an optical long pass filter 14. The avalanche photo diode 13 may further be mounted into a collimator tube 15. The collimator tube 15 may further hold a lens 16, and the lens may be aspherical. A fiber optic cable 17 may provide light 2 from the excitation light source 1, and may held at an angle 18 to the assembly of the avalanche photo diode 13, optical long pass filter 14, lens 16, and collimator tube 15.

(11) While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. Only certain embodiments have been shown and described, and all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention described herein are desired to be protected. Any experiments, experimental examples, or experimental results provided herein are intended to be illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered limiting or restrictive with regard to the invention scope. Further, any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way to such theory, mechanism of operation, proof, or finding.

(12) Thus, the specifics of this description and the attached drawings should not be interpreted to limit the scope of this invention to the specifics thereof. Rather, the scope of this invention should be evaluated with reference to the claims appended hereto. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as a, an, at least one, and at least a portion are used there is no intention to limit the claims to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claims. Further, when the language at least a portion and/or a portion is used, the claims may include a portion and/or the entire items unless specifically stated to the contrary. Likewise, where the term input or output is used in connection with an electric device or fluid processing unit, it should be understood to comprehend singular or plural and one or more signal channels or fluid lines as appropriate in the context. Finally, all publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure as if each were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.