Abstract: A system is provided wherein spectrometer measurements, and/or measurements from other analytical instruments, are transmitted to a processing station which determines the component substances of the sample(s) subjected to the measurements. The names of the component substances are then inserted into database search queries related to matters such as handling precautions, causes/sources of the substances, remedies and neutralizing agents for the substances, regulations related to the substances, etc. The results of the search queries are then provided to the personnel who made the measurements, preferably wirelessly and almost immediately after the measurements were made. The system therefore provides nearly immediate guidance as to what substances are present and how to handle them, which can be useful for inexperienced personnel in hazardous response, contraband detection, industrial process control, and other situations.

Abstract: A probe for use in attentuated total reflectance measurements in spectroscopy, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, is formed of an optical waveguide element having input and output sections and a loop between the two sections. The loop has a small radius of curvature and is exposed so that it can be contacted with a sample to obtain attenuated total reflectance measurements. The input and output sections may be retained in the bore of a thin walled tube with the loop forming a tip which extends from one end of the tube. The input and output sections of the optical waveguide element may be connected by couplers to a spectrometer to receive the output beam from and provide a return beam to the spectrometer. The tightly curved surfaces of the optical waveguide element at the loop result in multiple internal reflections as the beam of radiation traverses the loop.

Abstract: An infrared spectroscopy instrument includes a housing having a sample chamber which is sized and shaped to accommodate the body of an automatic feeding slide projector of the type commonly utilized with standard photographic slide transparencies. The infrared beam is reflected by a system of mirrors into a beam path which extends through a portion of the slide projector mechanism ordinarily occupied by the projector lamp and optics, which have been removed. Samples are held in special sample holders adapted in size and shape to fit the compartments utilized in the slide magazine of the projector. These sample holders are indexed one at a time under the control of the instrument into a viewing position in the path of the infrared beam, and the beam passed through the sample is then collected and focused onto a detector.