Ruggedized superachromatic illumination optics for UV-VIS spectroscopy

Variations in the optical collection efficiencies, which are a function of wavelength and position, confuse the actionable information from a spectroscopic sensor with time varying spatial non-uniformities across the optic. Averaging measurements over the dynamic time of the features of interest mitigates these dynamic spatial nonuniformities but slows the actionable response time of the detector. As such, we designed a compact (3.5in by ⌀ 1.5in) ruggedized, achromatic, illumination optics system. The coupling optics create a radially flat collection efficiency for all wavelengths of interest, until maximum radial aperture of the application. The optics transmit the uniform collection to a commercially available miniature spectrometer via a fiber optic cable. A manufactured system probed with a point-like, calibration light source holds a 2.5% spectral ratio uniformity through a ∼1/2 in aperture.