초록 ▼

Apparatus and methods are described for observing samples at non-ambient temperatures and pressures. One apparatus comprises a cell body having a fluid flow-through passage and a light passage intersecting the fluid flow-through passage at an adjustable light pathlength fluid analysis region; first

Apparatus and methods are described for observing samples at non-ambient temperatures and pressures. One apparatus comprises a cell body having a fluid flow-through passage and a light passage intersecting the fluid flow-through passage at an adjustable light pathlength fluid analysis region; first and second light-transmissive windows in the light passage, each window having at least one crystal axis aligned longitudinally with a longitudinal axis of the window, the windows having opposed, spaced apart, substantially flat surfaces defining the adjustable light pathlength fluid analysis region, the first window having a first window holder and the second window having a second window holder, the first window rotationally isolated from the first window holder, the second window rotationally coupled to the second window holder, the first window holder able to gradually move the first window and thus adjust the light pathlength; and first and second light polarization filters.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus comprising: (a) a cell body having a fluid flow-through passage and a light passage intersecting the fluid flow-through passage at an adjustable light pathlength fluid analysis region in the cell body, the cell body comprised of material capable of maintaining te

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus comprising: (a) a cell body having a fluid flow-through passage and a light passage intersecting the fluid flow-through passage at an adjustable light pathlength fluid analysis region in the cell body, the cell body comprised of material capable of maintaining temperature and pressure in at least the fluid analysis region at least different than ambient conditions; (b) first and second light-transmissive windows in the light passage, each window having at least one crystal axis aligned longitudinally with a longitudinal axis of the window, the windows having opposed, spaced apart, substantially flat surfaces defining the adjustable light pathlength fluid analysis region, the first window having a first window holder and the second window having a second window holder, the first window rotationally isolated from the first window holder, the second window rotationally coupled to the second window holder, the first window holder able to gradually translate the first window and thus adjust the light pathlength; and (c) first and second light polarization filters positioned in the light passage. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first window is rotationally isolated from the first window holder by a first spacer and a roller bearing assembly between the first spacer and the first window holder. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first spacer is rotationally coupled to the first window by a first sleeve adhered to the first window, and one or more pins connecting the first sleeve and first spacer. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second window is rotationally coupled to the second window holder by a second sleeve adhered to the second window, a second spacer, and one or more pins connecting the second sleeve, second spacer, and second window holder. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a first seal assembly surrounding the first window and a second seal surrounding the second window, the first and second seals constraining fluid being tested to the fluid analysis region defined between the opposed, spaced apart, substantially flat surfaces of the first and second windows. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first window holder is connected to the cell body via a threaded fitting, allowing the first window holder to rotate and gradually translate the first window closer to or further away from the second window, thereby adjusting the distance between the opposed, substantially flat surfaces of the first and second windows, and therefore adjust the size of the fluid analysis region, and thus adjust the light pathlength. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first polarization filter is between a light entrance and the first window holder and held in a holder equipped with a rotary arm, and the second polarization filter is positioned in the light passage between a light exit and the second window holder and held in a separate holder which is equipped with a rotary arm. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the rotary arms are selected from a manually operated rotary arm and an automatically operated rotary arm. 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cell body and first and second window holders comprise the same or different materials selected from metals, plastics, ceramics, and combinations thereof. 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second windows comprise materials selected from natural and synthetic materials having suitable optical and mechanical properties able to withstand desired temperature and pressure conditions. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first and second windows comprise materials selected from sapphire and quartz. 12. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising two or more viewing ports. 13. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a light source, wherein the light source is selected from UV, visible, IR, or other electromagnetic source. 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the light source produces a light beam which enters and passes through the first polarization filter producing a fully or partially polarized light beam, the fully or partially polarized light beam then passing through a first bore through the first window holder and into the fluid sample analysis region, wherein depending on the sample contents, portions of the polarized light may be depolarized, and depolarized light exits the sample analysis region through the second window, a bore through the second window holder, and through the second polarization filter, where a human operator or computer may view light exiting the second polarization filter. 15. A high-pressure cross-polar microscopy cell comprising: (a) a cell body having a fluid flow-through passage and a light passage intersecting the fluid flow-through passage at an adjustable light pathlength fluid analysis region in the cell body; (b) a first light passage assembly connected to the cell body and comprising a first polarization filter, a first window retention assembly, and a first light-transmissive window, the first window retention assembly comprising a first bore therethrough partially defining the light passage, the first window retention assembly comprising a first window holder and means for rotational decoupling of the first window from the first window holder during adjustment of the light pathlength; and (c) a second light passage assembly connected to the cell body and comprising a second polarization filter, a second window retention assembly, and a second light-transmissive window, the second window retention assembly comprising a second bore therethrough partially defining the light passage, the second window retention assembly comprising a second window holder and means for allowing rotational coupling of the second window and the second window holder. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for rotational decoupling of the first window from the first window holder during adjustment of the light pathlength comprises a first spacer between the first window and the first window holder, a first sleeve adhered to the first window, one or more pins connecting the first sleeve and first spacer, and a roller bearing assembly between the first spacer and the first window holder. 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the means for allowing rotational coupling of the second window and the second window holder comprises a second spacer between the second window and the second window holder, a second sleeve adhered to the second window, and one or more pins connecting the second sleeve and second spacer. 18. A method comprising: (a) in an apparatus comprising a test cell having a cell body, the cell body comprising a fluid flow-through passage and a light passage intersecting the fluid flow-through passage at an adjustable light pathlength fluid analysis region in the cell body, first and second light-transmissive windows in the light passage, each window having a crystal axis aligned longitudinally with a longitudinal axis of the window, the windows having opposed, spaced apart, substantially flat surfaces defining the adjustable light pathlength fluid analysis region, setting an initial distance between the opposed, substantially flat surfaces of the windows and aligning crystal axes of the windows; (b) rotating one or both of the polarization filters so that the filters are cross-polarized; (c) adjusting the distance between the opposed, substantially flat surfaces of the windows; (d) rotating the first polarization filter and allowing an amount of polarized light to pass through the first window and the sample analysis region; (e) flowing a sample to be analyzed into the sample analysis region; and (f) observing one or more features of the sample. 19. The method of claim 18 comprising carrying out steps (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) in sequential order, and carrying out step (f) during step (e). 20. The method of claim 18 comprising using the second window holder to accomplish step (c), and using the first window older to accomplish step (d).