Abstract: A modified method and apparatus for measuring elements in a liquid metal or alloy sample (23) with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The apparatus comprises a pulsed excitation laser (1) and an instrument head (6) comprising a laser path channel (10), laser excitation optics (2), receiving optics for receiving emission from a plasma (3) created by the interaction of the laser (1) and the sample (23), an open-bottom chamber (5) extending upwardly from a flat bottom surface (7) of the instrument head (6), the laser path channel (10) extending to said chamber (5), and preferably a gas channel (12) for feeding gas to the open-bottom chamber (5). The laser (1) and laser excitation optics (2) are configured such that when the instrument head (6) is at a distance from a sample surface in the range of 1-10 mm, the focal point of the pulsed excitation laser is beneath the sample surface at a distance which is more than one Rayleigh length of the focused excitation laser beam.

Abstract: A non-contact, non-immersive method and apparatus are provided for accurately measuring quantitatively one or more elements in liquid metal or alloy samples using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The method is particularly useful for process and/or quality control within the metallurgy industry for accurately and very quickly measuring minor component or impurity elements in liquid metal in the production process, without touching the liquid metal and without the need for cooling and solidifying samples for analysis. In the method and apparatus a pre-determined distance is dynamically maintained between emission receiving optics and the surface of a liquid sample being analysed and the instrument does not come in contact with the liquid metal surface. Liquid samples are heated and/or maintained at a desired temperature. For many elements, values for limit-of-detection, measurement repeatability and accuracy about or below 1 ppm are achieved using this method.

Abstract: A polarimeter includes an integrated device with an array of antennas including multiple column pairs. Each column pair has two columns, and each column in each column pair includes multiple antennas. A first column of each column pair in the array scatters a first polarization component of an incident radiation, and a second column of each column pair in the array scatters a second polarization component of the incident radiation. The scattered fields of the column pairs interfere constructively in a direction depending on the polarization of the incident radiation, resulting in maximal intensity at a certain point in space for a specific polarization state. Multiple column pairs in parallel and oriented at angles with respect to each other can be used to scatter different polarization components of the incident radiation directionally to different points in space. Detectors are positioned with respect to the integrated device to detect polarization components.

Abstract: Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis apparatus includes an electrophoresis zone having four edges defined by a plurality of electrodes. A pair of opposed edges are defined by groups of discrete electrodes. Discrete electrodes within each group are electrically isolated from each other while the other pair of opposed edges are used to generate an electrical field. As a result, the electrical field is less distorted than would be the case if each edge was defined by a single elongate electrode. The apparatus can be provided as a cassette with electrodes configured to guide gas generated during electrolysis out of the cassette through apertures, to reduce the build up of combustible gases.

Abstract: Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis apparatus includes an electrophoresis zone having four edges defined by a plurality of electrodes. A pair of opposed edges are defined by groups of discrete electrodes. Discrete electrodes within each group are electrically isolated from each other while the other pair of opposed edges are used to generate an electrical field. As a result, the electrical field is less distorted than would be the case if each edge was defined by a single elongate electrode. The apparatus can be provided as a cassette with electrodes configured to guide gas generated during electrolysis out of the cassette through apertures, to reduce the build up of combustible gases.

Abstract: Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis apparatus includes an electrophoresis zone having four edges defined by a plurality of electrodes. A pair of opposed edges are defined by groups of discrete electrodes. Discrete electrodes within each group are electrically isolated from each other while the other pair of opposed edges are used to generate an electrical field. As a result, the electrical field is less distorted than would be the case if each edge was defined by a single elongate electrode. The apparatus can be provided as a cassette with electrodes configured to guide gas generated during electrolysis out of the cassette through apertures, to reduce the build up of combustible gases.