Abstract: A handheld portable spectrophotometer is provided including keys for input of instructions by a user, an illuminator for illuminating a sample, and a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected from the sample into spectral components to produce a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component. A processor is provided for executing the user instructions and for analyzing the signal. The results of the signal analysis are presented on a display. A power source is provided for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer.

Abstract: A handheld portable spectrophotometer is provided including keys for input of instructions by a user, an illuminator for illuminating a sample, and a spectral analyzer for separating light reflected from the sample into spectral components to produce a signal corresponding to the level of each spectral component. A processor is provided for executing the user instructions and for analyzing the signal. The results of the signal analysis are presented on a display. A power source is provided for providing power for operation of the handheld portable spectrophotometer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing the gain of a self scanned photo-diode array is provided for use with spectrophotometers and other light measurement equipment. A gain stabilizer light emitting diode (LED) constantly illuminates the array so that photons are continuously impinging upon the self-scanned photo-diode array. In the course of a typical measurement sequence, an illuminated scan is first taken, wherein said photo-diode array is illuminated by LED and the light being analyzed, followed by a dark reading wherein the photo diode array is illuminated by the LED only. The dark reading measurement is then subtracted from the illuminated reading to derive an accurate reading of the light being analyzed.