Abstract: This invention concerns an automatic sampler (AS) associable with two or more chromatographic analysis instruments (GC1, GC2, GCn), such as gas chromatographs for example, which can be interfaced with two or more separate data systems (DS1, DS2, DSn), each operating in an independent manner.

Abstract: A spectrometer operator may specify a desired signal to noise ratio (SNR) to be attained when collecting spectra from a sample. The SNR from a single brief sample exposure is used to determine the maximum exposure time achievable without overloading the spectrometer. If the desired SNR is greater than the SNR of an exposure using the maximum exposure time, multiple exposures can be taken at the maximum exposure time, and can be combined (e.g., averaged or summed) to obtain a spectrum having a SNR which at least approximates the one desired. If the desired SNR is less than the SNR of an exposure using the maximum exposure time, then only a single exposure is needed, and the exposure time can be scaled using the SNR from the single brief sample exposure to achieve a SNR which at least approximates the one desired.

Abstract: An optical method and apparatus is utilized to provide rapid spatial averaging over a large sample area in a Raman spectrometer, without defocusing of the optical source or the collection optics. Spatial averaging provides a representative spectrum of a sample that is inhomogeneous, either in its composition or surface characteristics. The spatial averaging configurations and methods disclosed herein also reduce sample degradation or burning resulting from the high intensity of the directed optical source. Moreover, the dimensions of the sample area of the spatial averaging methods and configurations of the present invention are adjusted to match specific sampling requirements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a CO2-absorption device within an elemental analysis instrument, comprising at least one combustion reactor and one detector, connected by a pneumatic line for the gasses undergoing analysis emerging from the combustion reactor, along which said CO2-absorption device is arranged downstream of the combustion reactor and upstream of the detector. In order to accelerate the operational cycle and improve efficiency without excessive bulk, two regenerable CO2 filters, valve means for feeding the gasses undergoing analysis to one of said filters, alternating between one another for each analysis, and for supplying a regenerating flow of wash gas to the second filter, in the opposite direction with respect to the direction of flow of the gas undergoing analysis in the same filter are envisaged, as well as means for temporarily heating the filter during the regeneration stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cover closure for housings of laboratory devices and the like, in particular for centrifuge housings, in which a cover hook is engaged by a closure hook and brought into a closing position, and the closing and opening movement of the closure hook essentially being caused by an eccentric in connection with a crank guide and a guide path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controllable pipette comprising a piston actuated by a motor, a control system allowing actuation of the piston according to a given pipetting function consisting of several steps, setting keys (7, 8) for selecting the desired pipetting function, a switch (1), which activates the function steps when depressed, and a display (3). The control system comprises a change function, whose activation enables a change of the selected function in the process of its operation. When the change function can be activated, this is indicated on the display and it can be activated by depressing a given setting key.

Abstract: A system for performing spectral microanalysis delivers analysis results during the course of data collection. As spectra are collected from pixels on a specimen, the system periodically analyzes the spectra to statistically derive underlying spectra representing proposed specimen components, wherein the derived spectra combine in varying proportions to result (at least approximately) in the measured spectra at each pixel. Those pixels having the same dominant proposed component, and/or which contain at least approximately the same proportions of the proposed components, may then have their measured spectra combined (i.e., added or averaged). These spectra may then be cross-referenced via reference libraries to identify the components actually present.

Abstract: The invention is relative to a climatic cabinet with a door, a utilization space, a specimen storage device, an inner transport device and a transfer opening. A buffer specimen storage device and an outer transport device are arranged on the outside in front of the transfer opening. The outer transport device establishes a transport connection between the buffer specimen storage device and the transfer opening by which a specimen can be brought between the buffer specimen storage device and the inner transport device. The invention has the advantage that the dwell time of the blade in an area with outside temperature is restricted to a minimum, as a result of which an ice-free transfer of specimen slides can be carried out even given a high transfer frequency and great differences of temperature and of atmospheric moisture.

Abstract: An X-ray detector using a semiconductor detector, most preferably a Silicon Drift Detector, utilizes a field effect transistor or other voltage-controlled resistance to generate an output voltage proportional to its input charge (which is generated by the X-ray photons incident on the semiconductor detector). To keep the charge (and thus the output voltage) to an acceptable range—one wherein the relationship between output voltage and input charge is substantially proportional—a feedback circuit is provided between the output and input terminals, wherein the charge on the input terminal is depleted when the output voltage begins leaving the desired range. Preferably, this is done by a comparator which monitors the output voltage, and provides a reset signal to the input terminal when it begins moving out of range. Alternatively or additionally, the reset signal may be a pulse supplied to the input terminal from a pulse generator activated by the comparator.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for washing the injector in a liquid chromatography equipment, comprising a sealed passage for the injection needle and, upstream, a mobile valve for alternatively connecting said passage with the outside for introduction of the needle, or with at least one source of washing fluid.

Abstract: A polarization fluorometer and a method for calibrating such a fluorometer. The fluorometer includes an excitation channel with an excitation polarizer for generating light polarized in a first plane or in a second plane to be conducted as a excitation light to a sample, an emission channel for conducting emission light from the sample, in which emission channel there is an emission polarization filter, an excitation detector, to which light polarized by the excitation polarizer can be conducted from the excitation channel, and a reference detector, to which light polarized by the excitation polarizer can be conducted from the excitation channel before being conducted to the sample or to the excitation detector. The reference detector can be calibrated by the excitation detector so that correction measurements can be carried out in real time during sample measurement. The fluorometer can be used especially for fluorescence spectra measurements.

Abstract: In a spectroscopic microscope, a video image of a specimen is analyzed to identify regions having different appearances, and thus presumptively different properties. The sizes and locations of the identified regions are then used to position the specimen to align each region with an aperture, and to set the aperture to a size appropriate for collecting a spectrum from the region in question. The spectra can then be analyzed to identify the substances present within each region of the specimen. Information on the identified substances can then be presented to the user along with the image of the specimen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for positioning and holding one or more chromatographic column lengths being subjected to one or more jets of fluid to change the temperature, especially in a modulator for GC×GC. The device comprises one or more V-shaped seats in which the column is housed, and pushed within the groove.

Abstract: A confocal spectrometer provides astigmatic optics which supply a monochromator or spectrograph with the image of a sample, with the astigmatic optics thereby providing separate first and second (tangential and sagittal) focal planes for the image. The monochromator/spectrograph has an entrance slit oriented along one of the focal planes, and this slit defines the spectral resolution of the monochromator/spectrograph and the field of view of the sample in one direction (in one focal plane). A supplemental slit is situated outside the monochromator/spectrograph adjacent the entrance slit, with the supplemental slit being oriented along the other focal plane. The supplemental slit therefore defines the field of view of the sample in a perpendicular direction (in the other focal plane). By varying the width of the supplemental and/or entrance slits, one may easily achieve the desired field of view.

Abstract: A spectrometer collects background spectra during the idle time in which it is not collecting spectra from a sample. These spectra are collected over a range of exposure times, allowing the background reading on each pixel to be modeled as a function of exposure time. When sample spectra are then collected, the exposure time for the sample spectra can be used with the modeled function to compute an estimated background within the sample spectra. The estimated background can then be subtracted from the sample spectra, thereby reducing the noise therein.

Abstract: A spectroscopic microscope includes a laser or other light source which emits light from the entrance aperture of its spectrograph, and also includes a light sensor situated on the microscope sample stage upon which a specimen is to be situated for microscopic/spectrometric analysis. The sample stage is positioned such that the signal from the light sensor is maximized, thereby indicating good alignment between the sample stage and spectrograph. Additionally, the microscope sample stage bears a light source which can emit light to be detected by a light sensor situated at the vantage point of a user/viewer utilizing the microscope, and such a light sensor can simply take the form of a video camera or other image recordation unit associated with the microscope. The sample stage can also be positioned to optimize the signal at the light sensor to signify good alignment between the sample stage and the microscope.

Abstract: A spectrometer generates Vibrational Circular Dichroism (VCD) measurements having an exceedingly high signal-to-noise ratio, as well as a greater wavelength range over which measurements may be accurately provided. This is achieved by utilizing reflective optics (preferably solely reflective optics, i.e., no refractive elements) to supply a concentrated and collimated input light beam to a sample within a sample cell, and similarly collecting the light output from the sample cell via reflective optics for supply to a detector.

Abstract: A glow discharge source, in particular for the analysis of solid specimens by means of glow discharge, with an anode and a cathode and with means for the direct or indirect cooling of a specimen, and at least one Peltier element provided as the cooling means.

Abstract: In a spectrometer, preferably in a spectrometric microscope, light from a specimen is collected at a collector objective element and delivered to a camera element, which in turn provides the light to a photosensitive detector. A focal plane is provided between the collector objective element and the camera element, and one or more aperture arrays may be situated in the focal plane to restrict the detector's field of view of the specimen to the areas within the apertures. By utilizing aperture arrays with apertures of different sizes and shapes, the spatial resolution of the spectrometer readings may be varied without the need to vary the optics of the spectrometer. As a result, if the optics are optimized to minimize vignetting, spatial resolution may be varied without adverse increases in vignetting.

Abstract: A calibration assembly generates elemental mercury and oxidized mercury for calibrating components of a mercury monitoring system, including making necessary adjustments to efficiencies of a mercury compound converter and an elemental mercury detector. The calibrator generates an elemental mercury sample having a known elemental mercury concentration, [Hg0]1 and combines an oxidizing component with the elemental mercury sample, thereby producing a reduced concentration of elemental mercury [Hg0]2 within the sample. The calibrator measures the concentration of elemental mercury [Hg0]2 within the sample and calculates a difference between the known elemental mercury concentration, [Hg0]1 and the reduced concentration [Hg0]2. The difference between [Hg0]1 and [Hg0]2 is substantially equal to the concentration of oxidized mercury produced by the calibrator.