Abstract: Improvements in and relating to devices for receiving liquid samples A device for receiving a liquid sample may form part of a micro sampling head for an instrument such as a spectrophotometer. The device receives a liquid sample to be analyzed by a process involving the passing of electromagnetic radiation through the sample, and comprises a light inlet guide (20) for directing electromagnetic radiation into the sample, a light receiving element (23) situated in an opposed relationship to the guide and spaced from the guide by a fixed distance to define a fixed path length gap (21), which is, in use, filled with the sample. In use, radiation is passed from the light inlet guide to the light receiving element (23), and the path length of radiation through the sample is defined by the gap (23). The device is open or openable to allow a droplet of sample to be deposited directly in the gap.

Abstract: Apparatus for analysing a liquid sample (194) comprises beam generating means (1) for generating electromagnetic radiation, detector means (8) for detecting electromagnetic radiation from the beam generating means after the radiation has interacted with the sample, and sample retaining means (10) for releasably retaining sample in the path of the beam. The sample retaining means comprises a hydrophobic surface (for example, a coating on a plate 118) on which the sample is, in use, supported. There is also disclosed a method of performing photometric or spectrophotometric analysis of a liquid sample by sandwiching samples between two opposed hydrophobic support surfaces, passing a beam of electromagnetic radiation through one of the surfaces and then through the sample, and analysing the beam after it has passed through the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for analysing a liquid sample (194) comprises beam generating means (1) for generating electromagnetic radiation, detector means (8) for detecting electromagnetic radiation from the beam generating means after the radiation has interacted with the sample, and sample retaining means (10) for releasably retaining sample in the path of the beam. The sample retaining means comprises a hydrophobic surface (for example, a coating on a plate 118) on which the sample is, in use, supported. There is also disclosed a method of performing photometric or spectrophotometric analysis of a liquid sample by sandwiching samples between two opposed hydrophobic support surfaces, passing a beam of electromagnetic radiation through one of the surfaces and then through the sample, and analysing the beam after it has passed through the sample.