Abstract: A device and method for preparing a sample for solid-liquid or liquid-liquid extraction are provided. In one embodiment, a device includes a sealed container including an opening for receiving a solid sample and a reservoir. The reservoir includes a solvent or is adapted to receive a solvent. The solid sample and the solvent are mixed in the reservoir and to concentrate at least one component of the sample into the solvent within the reservoir. The concentrate is settled into a solvent layer within the container. The solvent layer is sampled via a port. A method includes introducing a solid sample to a solvent; creating a solution by mixing the solid sample with the solvent; allowing the solvent solution to settle into at least one layer; and sampling within at least one layer.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a first assembly having a base, a beam splitter assembly to split light into first and second portions, and a fixed mirror for reflecting the first portion of light; and a second assembly movable with respect to the first assembly, and having first and second scan carriages, and a movable mirror connected to the second scan carriage for reflecting the second portion of light. The beam splitter assembly combines the reflected first and second portions of light into a recombined radiation beam. Inner bearing flexures enable movement of the first scan carriage relative to the base, and outer bearing flexures enable movement of the second scan carriage relative to the first scan carriage, such that a plane containing the movable mirror is maintained parallel to multiple planes containing the movable mirror at respective distances between the second and first assemblies during scan movement of the movable mirror.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a first assembly having a base, a beam splitter assembly to split light into first and second portions, and a fixed mirror for reflecting the first portion of light; and a second assembly movable with respect to the first assembly, and having first and second scan carriages, and a movable mirror connected to the second scan carriage for reflecting the second portion of light. The beam splitter assembly combines the reflected first and second portions of light into a recombined radiation beam. Inner bearing flexures enable movement of the first scan carriage relative to the base, and outer bearing flexures enable movement of the second scan carriage relative to the first scan carriage, such that a plane containing the movable mirror is maintained parallel to multiple planes containing the movable mirror at respective distances between the second and first assemblies during scan movement of the movable mirror.

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: 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: An interferometer for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy includes a fixed assembly including a housing, a beam splitter, and a mirror fixedly positioned relative to each other. A movable assembly includes a housing, a mirror, and a motor coil, fixedly positioned relative to each other. A first flat spring has an opening for providing an unobstructed optical path of radiation therethrough. A first end of the first flat spring is secured to the fixed assembly and a second end of the first flat spring is secured to the movable assembly for providing movement of the movable assembly relative to the fixed assembly via the first flat spring. An optical relationship between the beam splitter, the mirror of the fixed assembly, and the mirror of the movable assembly is maintained independent of a distance between the movable assembly and the fixed assembly.

Abstract: An optical analysis system utilizing transmission spectroscopy for analyzing liquids and solids includes a source of optical energy, a sample, a movable optical energy transmission window, a fixed optical energy transmission window, and a detection system. The fixed transmission window remains fixed relative to the source of optical energy. The sample is selectively positioned between the movable and fixed optical energy transmission windows for analyzing the sample. The optical energy is transmitted through one of the windows, the sample, and the other window to obtain encoded optical energy as a result of transmitting the optical energy through the sample. A detection system receives the encoded optical energy for analysis. The movable optical energy transmission window is selectively movable relative to the fixed optical energy transmission window to repeatedly and precisely align and make readily accessible both windows and the sample.

Abstract: An interferometer for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy includes a fixed assembly including a housing, a beam splitter, and a mirror fixedly positioned relative to each other. A movable assembly includes a housing, a mirror, and a motor coil, fixedly positioned relative to each other. A first flat spring has an opening for providing an unobstructed optical path of radiation therethrough. A first end of the first flat spring is secured to the fixed assembly and a second end of the first flat spring is secured to the movable assembly for providing movement of the movable assembly relative to the fixed assembly via the first flat spring. An optical relationship between the beam splitter, the mirror of the fixed assembly, and the mirror of the movable assembly is maintained independent of a distance between the movable assembly and the fixed assembly.

Abstract: An optical analysis system utilizing transmission spectroscopy for analyzing liquids and solids includes a source of optical energy, a sample, a movable optical energy transmission window, a fixed optical energy transmission window, and a detection system. The fixed transmission window remains fixed relative to the source of optical energy. The sample is selectively positioned between the movable and fixed optical energy transmission windows for analyzing the sample. The optical energy is transmitted through one of the windows, the sample, and the other window to obtain encoded optical energy as a result of transmitting the optical energy through the sample. A detection system receives the encoded optical energy for analysis. The movable optical energy transmission window is selectively movable relative to the fixed optical energy transmission window to repeatedly and precisely align and make readily accessible both windows and the sample.

Abstract: A system for identifying a gas sample includes a canister, a docking station, a thermal desorption device, and a spectrometer. The canister includes a sorbent and a valve. The docking station is configured to removably engage the canister. When the canister is engaged with the docking station, the canister is capable of fluid communication with a gas cell via the valve.

Abstract: A system for identifying a gas sample includes a canister, a docking station, a thermal desorption device, and a spectrometer. The canister includes a sorbent and a valve. The docking station is configured to removably engage the canister. When the canister is engaged with the docking station, the canister is capable of fluid communication with a gas cell via the valve.