Abstract: A system is provided for detecting and controlling flashback and flame holding in a combustor of a gas turbine. The system includes at least one flame indicator disposed in a combustor and at least one detector disposed downstream from the flame indicator. The flame indicator may be configured to produce light when exposed to a flame and the detector may be configured to detect the light produced by the flame indicator.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a module assembly and a main assembly. The module assembly includes a module assembly housing, a first faceplate and an analysis unit attached to the first faceplate. The main assembly includes a main assembly housing, a second faceplate and an engine unit rigidly attached to the second faceplate. The engine unit generates a light that passes to the analysis unit via a first lens assembly and a second lens assembly. The first lens assembly is attached to the first faceplate and the second lens assembly is attached to the second faceplate. The module assembly when attached to the main assembly causes the first and second faceplates to act as a single mechanical unit that moves independent of movement of the module assembly housing and/or the main assembly housing.

Abstract: Improved analytical, diagnostic, monitoring, and other methods (and their associated devices) for evaluating the extent of deposition of an agent onto a substrate are described. Exemplary methods may be used in the in the monitoring of the dental health of patients or in the fast, efficient screening and/or characterization of formulations in terms of their use for depositing oral actives onto tooth surfaces. The methods involve the direct or in situ analysis of substrates, onto which agents are deposited, using Near-IR spectroscopy and/or UV spectroscopy.

Abstract: Terahertz spectrometer having a wider range of terahertz radiation source, high temporal resolution of scanning (<0.0.099 ?m or ˜0.3 pico second) over a wider range of scanning (up to ˜100 pico seconds). Also disclosed are exemplary applications of the spectrometer in biomedical, biological, pharmaceutical, and security areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trace gas detection system. At least one embodiment includes a frequency spectrum comprising a 1st comb and an enhancement cavity characterized by having a 2nd comb of spectral resonances. The enhancement cavity contains a sample gas for spectroscopic measurement. A dither mechanism is configured to modulate the relative spectral position between the combs at a dither frequency, fd. The dither mechanism, in conjunction with a feedback mechanism, stabilizes the location of said 1st comb lines with respect to the resonances of said 2nd comb over a time scale much greater than a dither period, Td=1/fd. A time-averaged output from the enhancement cavity is provided to a spectroscopic measurement tool, for example a Fourier transform spectrometer. The system is capable of detecting volatile organic compounds, endogenous compounds, and may be configured for cancer detection.

Abstract: A terahertz time-domain spectroscopic ellipsometry system includes a sample stage, a terahertz emitter configured to provide pulses of terahertz radiation with preselected polarization components to illuminate a sample on the sample stage along an incident direction, and a coherent terahertz detection system arranged to coherently detect pulses of terahertz radiation from the terahertz emitter along an emerging direction after at least one of reflecting from or passing through the sample. The sample stage is rotatable to vary a relative angle between the incident direction and the emerging direction, and the coherent terahertz detection system substantially maintains alignment for amplitude and polarization detection as the relative angle is varied.

Abstract: A Fourier Transfer Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer having reduced baseline noise. The system and method include internal or external optical adapters having a moveable beamsplitter for splitting the source light beam into a reference beam and a sample beam, and may include a variable bandpass filter, variable preamplifier and reversed biased photodiodes.

Abstract: An analyser 10 for identifying or verifying or otherwise characterising a liquid based drug sample 16 comprising: an electromagnetic radiation source 11 for emitting electromagnetic radiation 14a in at least one beam at a sample 16, the electromagnetic radiation comprising at least two different wavelengths, a sample detector 17 that detects affected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the emitted electromagnetic radiation affected by the sample, and a processor 18 for identifying or verifying the sample from the detected affected electromagnetic radiation, wherein each wavelength or at least two of the wavelengths is between substantially 1300 nm and 2000 nm, and each wavelength or at least two of the wavelengths is in the vicinity of the wavelength(s) of (or within a region spanning) a spectral characteristic in the liquid spectrum between substantially 1300 nm and 2000 nm.

Abstract: A measurement target including a semiconductor substrate, and a first epitaxial layer and a second epitaxial layer stacked in this order on the semiconductor substrate and having no difference in refractive index of a real part from the semiconductor substrate is subjected to reflection interference analysis using a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thickness of the first epitaxial layer is used as a fitting parameter so as to prevent shift between an interference waveform of a resultant reflection interference pattern containing distortion appearing in a wave number range near an abnormal dispersion range of a refractive index caused by phonon absorption and an interference waveform of a numerically calculated reflection interference pattern in the same wave number range. The thickness of the first epitaxial layer determined during the fitting of the numerically calculated reflection interference pattern is defined as a measured value of the thickness of the first epitaxial layer.

Abstract: Improved analytical, diagnostic, monitoring, and other methods (and their associated devices) for evaluating the extent of deposition of an agent onto a substrate are described. Exemplary methods may be used in the in the monitoring of the dental health of patients or in the fast, efficient screening and/or characterization of formulations in terms of their use for depositing oral actives onto tooth surfaces. The methods involve the direct or in situ analysis of substrates, onto which agents are deposited, using Near-IR spectroscopy and/or UV spectroscopy.

Abstract: A power system, power circuit, and methods for maintaining or providing a constant or substantially constant power source and for reducing and/or minimizing power decay of a predetermined component are provided. Such improvement of power delivery and minimization of power loss is important for precision instrumentation applications. One such application is the infrared (“IR”) source driver for a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (“FTIR”). The power system and/or circuit may include two integrated circuits in a novel way to make an efficient constant power IR source driver. The method may include having a switching regulator comparing a sample of output voltage with a reference voltage, a second element computing, calculating and/or creating a voltage that is a product of another voltage and a current to obtain a signal proportional to delivered power, and operating a closed loop regulator to provide a constant delivered power to the source.

Abstract: A Fourier Transfer Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer having reduced baseline noise. The system and method include internal or external optical adapters having a moveable beamsplitter for splitting the source light beam into a reference beam and a sample beam, and may include a variable bandpass filter, variable preamplifier and reversed biased photodiodes.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a fixed assembly including a base, a beam splitter assembly and a fixed mirror, and a movable assembly including an upper scan carriage, a lower scan carriage and a movable mirror connected to the lower scan carriage. The pair of inner bearing flexures is connected to the base and the upper scan carriage, enabling movement of the upper scan carriage relative to the base, and the pair of outer bearing flexures is connected to the upper and lower scan carriages, enabling movement of the lower scan carriage relative to the upper scan carriage. The movement of the upper and lower scan carriages enable a scan movement of the movable mirror in a scan direction restricted such that the scan movement maintains a plane containing the movable mirror parallel to planes containing the movable mirror at respective distances between the movable and fixed assemblies during the scan movement.

Abstract: A method is provided including obtaining an infrared (IR) spectrum of a blood plasma sample by analyzing the blood plasma sample by infrared spectroscopy, and based on the infrared spectrum, generating an output indicative of the presence of a solid tumor or a pre-malignant condition. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: When a system is powered on and becomes ready for a measurement, it automatically begins to acquire an interferogram (IFG). When a new IFG is acquired, if a background (BKG) IFG is present in a memory but there is no sample IFG (S2 and S4), the new IFG is compared with the BKG-IFG and, if the two IFGs are identical, the new IFG is added to the BKG-IFG (S5, S6 and S7). When an operator sets a sample in a sample chamber and the new IFG shows a change, the IFG is stored as a sample IFG (S8). Then, a sample measurement is initiated. After that, when a new IFG is found to be identical to the sample IFG stored in the memory (S9 and S10), the new IFG is added to the sample IFG (S13). The sample measurement is completed when the number of sample IFGs stored in the memory has reached a predetermined accumulation number. Thus, the sample measurement is automatically performed, for which the operator only needs to set a sample.

Abstract: A plastic identification device includes a sample holding unit for holding, as a sample, a plastic to be identified, an infrared spectrophotometer including a light source for generating infrared light, an incident optical system for emitting the infrared light from the light source on the sample held by the sample holding unit, a light detector, and a receiver optical system for guiding the infrared light from the sample to the light detector, and a calculation device for identifying a type of the plastic which is the sample based on a detection result of the light detector. A focal length of the incident optical system is shorter than a focal length of the receiver optical system.

Abstract: A system (10) for directly measuring the depth of a high aspect ratio etched feature on a wafer (80) that includes an etched surface (82) and a non-etched surface (84). The system (10) utilizes an infrared reflectometer (12) that in a preferred embodiment includes a swept laser (14), a fiber circulator (16), a photodetector (22) and a combination collimator (18) and an objective lens (20). From the objective lens (20) a focused incident light (23) is produced that is applied to the non-etched surface (84) of the wafer (80). From the wafer (80) is produced a reflected light (25) that is processed through the reflectometer (12) and applied to an ADC (24) where a corresponding digital data signal (29) is produced. The digital data signal (29) is applied to a computer (30) that, in combination with software (32), measures the depth of the etched feature that is then viewed on a display (34).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (1, 100) for determining the sex of fertilized, nonincubated bird eggs (13, 130), where an egg (13, 130) has a solid egg shell (14), an egg yolk (2) which is surrounded by the egg shell and further egg integuments and a blastodisc (3) associated with the egg yolk (2), and where a probe (4, 40) for measuring a spectrum is introduced through a hole (17) of the egg shell (14) towards the blastodisc (3) with blastodisc cells (23), with the following steps: —positioning of the probe (4, 40) in the region of the blastodisc (3), —spectroscopic in-ovo characterization of the blastodisc cells (23), and —identification of the sex by an automatic classification of spectra.

Abstract: A method of generating a susceptibility map of an object utilizes a regularizing inverse function, oversampling k-space, removing external phase noise and rapid phase change effects, accounting for the known geometry of the object, and using modified SWI phase data to generate reasonable susceptibility maps and digital images therefrom, such as SWI images. The inventors refers to the inventive methods set forth herein as Susceptibility Weighted Imaging and Mapping (SWIM).

Abstract: A method and a corresponding system for obtaining a serum mid-infrared spectroscopic profile using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are described. The method comprises acquiring FTIR spectra for dried sera and preprocessing the FTIR spectra of sera by differentiation and smoothing to enhance weak spectral features and to remove baseline variations. The preprocessed FTIR spectra are normalized to a common intensity range, the normalization being performed in a spectral sub-region defined by strongest infrared (IR) absorption for a protein to obtain the serum spectroscopic profile. The serum spectroscopic profiles provide a basis to diagnose immunoglobulin disorders or to quantify serum immunoglobulin levels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analysing the material of a sample (3) using terahertz spectroscopy in order to identity material irregularities of the sample (3), having the following steps: (a) a terahertz wave transmitting device (5, 8) is used to transmit electromagnetic waves (6, 9) at a frequency in that terahertz range to the sample (3) to be analysed, (b) a terahertz wave receiving device (1, 8) is used to receive electromagnetic waves (7, 9) in the terahertz range from the sample (3), (c) the terahertz wave receiving device (1, 8) supplies the received waves (7, 9), in the form of a time domain signal or a frequency domain signal, to an evaluation device (10), (d) if a signal supplied to the evaluation device (10) is a time domain shier, the evaluation device (10) converts the time domain signal into a frequency domain signal (11) by means of a first spectral transformation, (e) the evaluation device (10) converts the frequency domain signal (H) into an output function (Q(x)) by means of a seco

Abstract: An infrared spectrophotometer, which is capable of preventing measurement data measured from being adversely affected by moisture vapor. An internal space of an attachment receiving therein an optical element is sealed and isolated from ambient air by providing a tube and others, and a dehumidifier is provided in the internal space of the attachment for an optical path. Thus, the dehumidifier is disposed in a relatively narrow space, so that the internal space of the attachment can be efficiently dehumidified within a short period of time so as to reduce humidity in the internal space to suppress absorption of moisture vapor which would otherwise occur on the optical path in the internal space of the attachment. This makes it possible to prevent a negative influence of moisture vapor on measurement data, while reducing a standby time due to the dehumidification.

Abstract: Configurations herein include a novel process, system, etc., to measure a concentration of sulfur trioxide in a gas sample including sulfur trioxide, sulfur dioxide, and water. An example system can include an optical radiation source that generates an optical signal at a plurality of vibration-rotation transitions around at least one frequency selected from the group consisting of 1396.889 cm?1, 1396.908 cm?1, 1396.962 cm?1, 1397.003 cm?1, 1397.037 cm?1, 1397.047 cm?1, and 1397.052 cm?1. The optical signal is transmitted along an optical path through the gas sample. Based on adjusting a pressure of the gas sample, each of the plurality of vibration-rotation absorption transitions associated with the sulfur trioxide can be substantially isolated from interfering absorption by the sulfur dioxide and the water vapor in the gas sample. Based on a spectral analysis, the system generates a value indicative of a concentration of sulfur trioxide in the gas sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of Form I and Form II of palonosetron hydrochloride. The present invention further relates to a method of determining the polymorphic forms of palonosetron hydrochloride using Fourier-Transform Infra-red (FTIR) method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the determination of the total acid number and naphthenic acid number of petroleum, petroleum cuts and petroleum emulsions of water-in-oil type by mid-infrared spectroscopy utilising correlation between data gathered by means of absorption spectrums obtained with a Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer operating in the mid-infrared band equipped with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory, and acidity results obtained through reference methods utilising a multivariate regression model.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method that includes receiving infrared adsorption absorption information for a sample, processing the infrared adsorption absorption information for the sample to determine an identity of the sample, generating a reference signature for the identified sample, and distributing the reference signature for the identified sample to a plurality of handheld measurement devices via cellular connections with the handheld measurement devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods and apparatus related to detection of substance(s) at a distance. For example, an apparatus can have a mount structure and an emitter mounted to the mount structure and configured to be trained on a target. The emitter can have a source configured to emit radiation and a mirror configured to direct the radiation toward the target. The apparatus can also have a collector mounted to the mount structure and configured to be trained on the target at the same time the emitter is trained on the target and concentrate collected radiation on a sensor. The apparatus can also have a detection system comprising the sensor and an interferometer configured to produce an interferogram. The processor can be configured to perform a Fourier transform on the interferogram to produce a spectrogram and analyze the spectrogram to determine presence or absence of known substances in or around the target.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) emission spectroscopy and microscopy apparatus with X-ray excitation or electron excitation and an improved process for extending spatial relation of infrared (IR) microscopy and performing microscopic infrared (IR) analysis by X-ray or electron radiation are provided. By utilizing nanometer sized X-ray beams or electron beams to produce IR emission, the spatial resolution of IR microscopy is extended. Simultaneously performing X-ray or electron-based spectroscopy as well as structural studies are enabled.

Abstract: We disclose an apparatus comprising: a hand-portable optical analysis unit including an optical interface; and a device configured to receive and releasably engage the hand-portable optical analysis unit. The device comprises: a housing; a sample unit in the housing; and a resilient member configured to bias the sample unit and the hand-portable analysis unit towards each other when the hand-portable optical analysis unit is received in the device to compress a sample disposed between the sample unit and the optical interface of the optical analysis unit. Methods of analyzing samples are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying a reference standard library for thermoplastic content includes preparing a plurality of samples of each one of a plurality of known ratios of virgin thermoplastic/recycled thermoplastic, analyzing each of the plurality of samples of each one of the plurality of known ratios of virgin thermoplastic/recycled thermoplastic with at least one of a group of analyses consisting of: a differential scanning calorimetry analysis; a physical thickness analysis; an ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy analysis; an attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis; a mechanical analysis; or a plasma atomic emission spectroscopic analysis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of classifying a polymer containing surface is provided including collecting one or more spectra of infrared energy reflected from the surface over a spectrum of wavelengths; performing multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths; comparing results of the multivariate processing with one or more predetermined material classification models derived from model material infrared energy spectra collected from one or more model material surfaces, the one or more model material surfaces each having a known polymer material composition; and, sorting the polymer containing surface into the proper class based on a similarity of the results of the multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths with the predetermined material classification models.

Abstract: A system includes a transmitter is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal through a sample cell (including a sample medium) to a receiver, which is configured to receive the electromagnetic signal and another electromagnetic signal for mixing therewith. Propagation paths of the signals to the transmitter and receiver include a first propagation path of the electromagnetic signal to the transmitter, and a second propagation path of the other electromagnetic signal to the receiver. The arrangement, which is located along either or each of the propagation paths of signals to the transmitter and receiver, is configured to alter the length of a respective propagation path. And the processor configured to recover an amplitude and phase of the transmitted electromagnetic signal, and calculate a complex index of refraction of the sample medium as a function of the amplitude and phase of the transmitted electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope is provided that includes a micro thermal analyzer with a tip. The micro thermal analyzer is configured for obtaining topographical data from a sample. A raman spectrometer is included and is configured for use in obtaining chemical data from the sample.

Abstract: A Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer for operation in the mid- and long-wave infrared region (about 2-15 micron wavelengths) is disclosed. The FTIR spectrometer is composed of IR-transmitting fiber and uses a broadband IR source. A fiber stretcher is provided to provide a path difference between a first path and a second path having a sample associated therewith. Stretching of the fiber provides a path difference sufficient to generate an interferogram that can subsequently be analyzed to obtain information about a sample. A method for use of the apparatus of the invention is also disclosed. The method involves stretching of an IR-transmitting fiber to create a path difference sufficient to generate an interferogram. Various aspects of these features enable the construction of compact, portable spectrometers.

Abstract: We disclose apparatus that includes: (a) an enclosure including an aperture; (b) a prism mounted in the enclosure so that a surface of the prism is exposed through the aperture; (c) an optical assembly contained within the enclosure, the optical assembly including a radiation source and a radiation detector, the source being configured to direct radiation towards the prism and the detector being configured to detect radiation from the source reflected from the exposed surface of the prism; and (d) an electronic processor contained within the enclosure, the electronic processor being in communication with the detector. The apparatus can be configured so that, during operation, the electronic processor determines information about a sample placed in contact with the exposed surface of the prism based on radiation reflected from the exposed prism surface while it is in contact with the sample.

Abstract: A spectroscopic instrument of the type providing an infrared light beam from an infrared light source along an infrared light path, where the infrared light beam includes a wide range of wavelengths of radiation within a target range of from about two microns to about three hundred microns, where the infrared light source includes a supercontinuum source having a CO2 pumping laser adapted to fire into a solid-core photonic crystal fiber formed at least in part of at least one of AlClxBr(1-x), NaCl, and ZnSe, which solid-core photonic crystal fiber produces the infrared light beam when excited by the pumping laser.

Abstract: A Fourier Transfer Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer having reduced baseline noise. The system and method include internal or external optical adapters having a moveable beamsplitter for splitting the source light beam into a reference beam and a sample beam, and may include a variable bandpass filter, variable preamplifier and reversed biased photodiodes.

Abstract: A Fourier Transfer Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer having reduced baseline noise. The system and method include internal or external optical adapters having a moveable beamsplitter for splitting the source light beam into a reference beam and a sample beam, and may include a variable bandpass filter, variable preamplifier and reversed biased photodiodes.

Abstract: A method of determining a film coating thickness on a substrate and/or amount one or more compositional ingredients of said film coating including making mid-IR spectra of a series of coating thickness or coating weight standards (and/or composition standards) on an appropriate substrate material to match sample material in question, pre-processing the data to prepare it for multivariate calibration methods, performing the multivariate calibration, saving the calibration model in the hand-held mid-IR device in an appropriate format, and using the calibration model to predict sample material in question from their mid IR spectra.

Abstract: Methods for in-vitro analysis of biological cells and/or microorganisms to determine characteristics such as: degree of differentiation, cell type, donor individuals, culture conditions, purity, lack of natural characteristic, or additional characteristics in comparison to natural characteristics. The methods include the steps of: (a) projecting infrared radiation on a sample; (b) recording spectral characteristics of the sample; (c) deriving a Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) from the collected spectral characteristics; (d) generating a derivative transformation of the FT-IR spectrum; (e) comparing said derivative transformation with a derivative of a reference FT-IR spectrum; (f) identifying deviations of said derivative from said reference derivative; and (g) providing an analysis of said characteristics based on the presence of said deviations. In addition, the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the disclosed methods.

Abstract: An ATR-FTIR device and system are described that defect live-cell responses to stimuli and perturbations in real-time. The system and device can monitor perturbations resulting from exposures to various physical, chemical, and biological materials in real-time, as well as those sustained over a long period of time, including those associated with stimuli having unknown modes-of-action (e.g. nanoparticles). The device and system can also be used to identify specific chemical species or substances that profile cellular responses to these perturbations.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) emission spectroscopy and microscopy apparatus with X-ray excitation or electron excitation and an improved process for extending spatial relation of infrared (IR) microscopy and performing microscopic infrared (IR) analysis by X-ray or electron radiation are provided. By utilizing nanometer sized X-ray beams or electron beams to produce IR emission, the spatial resolution of IR microscopy is extended. Simultaneously performing X-ray or electron-based spectroscopy as well as structural studies are enabled.

Abstract: An FTIR (Fourier transformation infrared) spectrometer is disclosed, wherein a validation/calibration of the spectrometer can be carried out in cyclically recurring intervals. Using at least two temporarily available gases, a reference spectrum with a zero gas and an absorption spectrum with a calibration gas are recorded. Substitute gases can be used during validation of the spectrometer as gas components, the substitute gases simulating actual measured gas components with respect to metrological properties.

Abstract: A method of determining degree of aging of an incompletely cured polymer resin material collecting IR spectra on a series of standards with carefully controlled aging time and data collected at appropriate time intervals with the standard LC method for determining cure condition of the material, using said spectra and LC data to make a multivariate calibration model and using said model to predict the cure condition of uncured samples of interest.

Abstract: During the fabrication of microstructure devices, such as integrated circuits, particles may be analyzed by displacing or removing the particles from the device surface and subsequently performing an analysis process. Consequently, a well-defined measurement environment may be established after removal of the particles, which may be accomplished on the basis of nanoprobes and the like. Hence, even critical surface areas may be monitored with respect to contamination and the like on the basis of well-established analysis techniques.

Abstract: During the processing of complex semiconductor devices, dielectric material systems comprising a patterned structure may be analyzed in a non-destructive manner by using an FTIR technique in combination with a plurality of angles of incidence. In this manner, topography-related information may be obtained and/or data analysis may be made more efficient due to the increased amount of information obtained by the plurality of angles of incidence.

Abstract: An infrared spectrophotometer, which is capable of preventing measurement data measured from being adversely affected by moisture vapor. An internal space of an attachment receiving therein an optical element is sealed and isolated from ambient air by providing a tube and others, and a dehumidifier is provided in the internal space of the attachment for an optical path. Thus, the dehumidifier is disposed in a relatively narrow space, so that the internal space of the attachment can be efficiently dehumidified within a short period of time so as to reduce humidity in the internal space to suppress absorption of moisture vapor which would otherwise occur on the optical path in the internal space of the attachment. This makes it possible to prevent a negative influence of moisture vapor on measurement data, while reducing a standby time due to the dehumidification.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing gas-oil-water compounds in oilfield and other applications are disclosed using terahertz radiation. A sample analyzer includes a sample chamber having a fluid communication port configured to receive the sample. The analyzer also includes a filter to filter samples and selectively remove oil, water or gas from reservoir mixture received by the sample chamber. A terahertz (THz) radiation detector is provided in electromagnetic communication with the sample. The terahertz detector provides a detected output signal indicative of the terahertz electromagnetic radiation detected from the sample. In some embodiments, the device also includes a terahertz source illuminating the sample, the terahertz detector detecting a portion of the terahertz source illumination as modified by the sample. The detected portion of the spectrum of terahertz radiation can be processed to analyze the composition of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses for use in performing a quantitative analysis of a turbid pharmaceutical sample, e.g. a tablet, a capsule or a similar sample forming a pharmaceutical dose. A pharmaceutical, turbid sample (24, 57, 67) is irradiated with an excitation beam (20, 53, 64) of radiation, e.g. near infrared radiation. The intensity of emitted radiation (30) from the sample (24, 57, 67) is detected as function of both the wavelength of the emitted radiation and the photon propagation time through said sample (24, 57, 67). Optionally, the intensity of the emitted radiation (30) from the sample (24, 57, 67) is also detected in a spatially resolved manner.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of classifying a polymer containing surface is provided including collecting one or more spectra of infrared energy reflected from the surface over a spectrum of wavelengths; performing multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths; comparing results of the multivariate processing with one or more predetermined material classification models derived from model material infrared energy spectra collected from one or more model material surfaces, the one or more model material surfaces each having a known polymer material composition; and, sorting the polymer containing surface into the proper class based on a similarity of the results of the multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths with the predetermined material classification models.