Abstract: A rate nephelometer of the type useful in automated chemical analyzers is provided. The nephelometer includes a laser for generating a polarized laser beam having an S-wave component and a P-wave component. The beam is split by a beam splitter specially constructed so that a known proportion of one of the two polarized portions of the beam is directed to a reaction container. In the reaction container, a first polarized component of the laser beam is used in a nephelometric chemical analysis. The remainder of the laser beam passes through the beam splitter to a laser control light detector. Before the remainder of the laser beam reaches the laser control light detector, however, the polarized component which is not used in nephelometric chemical analysis is filtered out. The laser control detector uses the non-filtered portion of the laser beam to control the output of the laser.

Abstract: A nephelometer and nephelometer/turbidimeter combination of the type useful in automated chemical analyzers is provided. The combination includes a laser for generating a polarized laser beam having an S-wave component and a P-wave component. The beam is split by a beam splitter specially constructed so that a known proportion of one of the two polarized portions of the beam is directed to a reaction container. In the reaction container, a first polarized component of the laser beam is used in a nephelometric chemical analysis. The remainder of the laser beam passes through the beam splitter to a laser control light detector. Before the remainder of the laser beam reaches the laser control light detector, however, the polarized component which is not used in nephelometric chemical analysis is filtered out. The laser control detector uses the non-filtered portion of the laser beam to control the output of the laser.

Abstract: A capillary and capillary retaining system including a capillary assembly having first and second end holders. The first and second end holders are adapted to be received by first and second retainers. The first end holder may include protruding portions and the first end retainer includes clips or clamps to engage the protruding portions. The second end holder may include opposite recesses and the second retainer is adapted to receive optical cables that are received within the recesses to retain the second end holder. The second retainer can further include a lever on the retainer body to pry the second holder out of the second retainer. Locks or clips retained by the second end retainer cooperate with grooves in the optical cables to retain the optical cables.

Abstract: A probe washing apparatus including a probe having a tip and a wash collar having a bore coaxially aligned with the probe, the wash collar including ports for applying a vacuum and a wash liquid to the wash collar bore. The probe may be displaced vertically with respect to the wash collar to aspirate and dispense liquids, and the wash collar and probe are displaced together laterally. The steps of washing the probe tip include raising the probe to a position with the probe tip within the bore, applying vacuum to the bore, flushing the interior of the probe, and flushing the exterior of the probe.

Abstract: A rotatable turntable for vortexing reactants comprises a vortexing plate which is rotatable. The motor drives for vortexing and rotation are stationary such that simple mechanical and electrical connection relative to the peripheral supports and to the vortexing plate can be achieved. A vortexing work station located in alignment with the turntable operates in synchronism with the turntable. Reactants at any radial reactant station on the vortexing plate can be withdrawn from and located onto the turntable at any radial location when the turntable stops rotation. The radial position of the turntable in relation to the outside vortexing and non-vortexing periphery remains relatively aligned.

Abstract: A single beam spectrophotometer is conditioned to automatically scan a sample across a wavelength scan range and to measure the sample at selected wavelengths within the range. Methods of setting output signal gain, adjusting signal gain for a selected wavelength range, and automatically scanning and measuring the sample are disclosed.

Abstract: A shutter assembly for a radioactivity measuring apparatus having a sample counting chamber, the assembly having a bulky solid lead cylinder with a sample access port extending therethrough for alignment with the sample chamber. The cylinder is rotated by a Geneva wheel arrangement having a drive wheel with a plurality of equi-angularly disposed pins perpendicular to the surface thereof engaging radially extending open-ended slots in a driven wheel secured to the lead cylinder for concurrent rotation therewith. The drive wheel is rotated at a constant speed with the driven wheel accelerating as a pin traverses the slot from the open end toward the driven wheel center and then decelerating as the pin traverses the reverse direction to provide precise positioning with adjacent pins engaging the open ends of adjacent slots in the stop position of the cylinder.