Abstract: A method and apparatus for the spectrochemical analysis of a sample in which a solid state array detector (82) is used to detect radiation (62) of spectrochemical interest. The invention involves the use of a shutter (72) adjacent the entrance aperture (70) of a polychromator (74-80) to expose the detector (82) to the radiation (62) for varying lengths of time whereby for short duration exposure times charge accumulation in elements (i.e. pixels) of the detector (82) due to high intensity components of the radiation is limited and for longer exposure times charge accumulation in elements (pixels) of the detector (82) due to feeble intesity components of radiation (62) is increased. This ensures that each reading of the detector (82) includes at least one exposure in which the amount of charge accumulated at each wavelength of interest is neither too little or too great.

Abstract: Spectroscopy apparatus for spectrochemical analysis of a sample having an excitation source (60) for providing spectral light (62) of the sample for analysis. The spectral light (62) is analysed via an optical system (64-66-68) that includes a polychromator (70, 74-80) and solid state multielement array detector (82). The elements (i.e. pixels) of the detector (82) are serially reel by means (84) to provide light intensity measurements as a function of wavelength. A problem is that the elements (pixels) of the detector (82) continue to accumulate change during the serial read-out. This is avoided by providing an optical shutter (72) for blocking the spectral light (62) whilst elements (pixels) of the detector (82) are being serially read. Shutter (72) has a piezoelectric actuator which is preferably a bimorph mounted as a cantilever. It is preferably located adjacent to the entrance aperture (70) of the polychromator.

Abstract: Spectroscopy apparatus for spectrochemical analysis of a sample having an excitation source (60) for providing spectral light (62) of the sample for analysis. The spectral light (62) is analysed via an optical system (66-66-68) that includes a polychromator (70, 74-80) and solid state multielement array detector (82). The elements (i.e. pixels) of the detector (82) are serially read by means (84) to provide light intensity measurements as a function of wavelength. A problem is that the elements (pixels) of the detector (82) continue to accumulate charge during the serial read-out. This is avoided by providing an optical shutter (72) for blocking the spectral light (62) whilst elements (pixels) of the detector (82) are being serially read. Shutter (72) has a piezoelectric actuator which is preferably a bimorph mounted as a cantilever. It is preferably located adjacent to the entrance aperture (70) of the polychromator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the spectrochemical analysis of a sample in which a solid state array detector (82) is used to detect radiation (62) of spectrochemical interest. The invention involves the use of a shutter (72) adjacent the entrance aperture (70) of a polychromator (74-80) to expose the detector (82) to the radiation (62) for varying lengths of time whereby for short duration exposure times charge accumulation in elements (i.e. pixels) of the detector (82) due to high intensity components of the radiation is limited and for longer exposure times charge accumulation in elements (pixels) of the detector (82) due to feeble intesity components of radiation (62) is increased. This ensures that each reading of the detector (82) includes at least one exposure in which the amount of charge accumulated at each wavelength of interest is neither too little or too great.