Abstract: Optical probes that may withstand a variety of hostile environments and that may provide high optical throughput are described herein. According to one exemplary embodiment, an optical probe may include a tube, an optical element, a cap, and a spring. The tube may have a first end, a second end, and an inner surface. The optical element may be insertable into the tube through the first end and may have an outer surface. A portion of the tube inner surface and a portion of the optical element outer surface may be matably tapered to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the tube and the optical element. The cap may be attachable to the first end. The spring may be compressible between the optical element and the cap.

Abstract: This invention relates to an accessory for incorporation into Raman and other spectroscopic instruments for combining shuttering and spectroscopic calibration functions. The accessory is comprised of an assembly with at least two positions that may be inserted into the light path, one position allowing light to be directed to and from the sample, and another position containing a reference standard that blocks the beam and provides a shuttering function. When the light strikes the reference standard, a reference spectrum is produced that may be used to calibrate the spectrograph. The device is especially useful in combination with compact sampling accessories for Raman spectroscopy.