A computer-operated optical spectroscopy laboratory and programming for the systematic evaluation of new Nd laser materials is described. The computer controls absorption spectrophotometer and grating mono-chromators used for fluorescence measurements. Fluroescence decay and other data are collected and reduced via the computer to complete the characterization of a potential laser glass.. In this spectroscopy, flexibility is required in order to handle special samples and to redirect data collection or reduction procedures at any time. Since people of different backgrounds operate the system, the amount of interaction between the computer and operator is variable from almost none ("standard measurements" run by technicians) to very high (unusual measurements run by spectroscopists). This variable interaction is provided by a single program for a given task. The use of a computer language (BASIC) and a programming style (command structured) which satisfies these requirements is discussed.

Date Published: 30 December 1976
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 0082, Unconventional Spectroscopy, (30 December 1976); doi: 10.1117/12.954890

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 0082:
Unconventional Spectroscopy
J. Morris Weinberg, Editor(s)