Abstract: There is provided a high precision device for measuring the color of non-self-luminous or self-luminous objects having interchangeable optical geometries for conversion from one optical geometry to another. The device interchanges a plurality of modules, each having at least one optical geometry for directing illumination from an illumination source and for collecting sample light reflected from a measured object or sample. Such optical geometries include a 45/0 geometry, sphere geometry, specular included geometry, and specular excluded geometry. Each module is removably attached to the device when measurement of the color of the sample is desired and may be separated from the device when measurement of the color of the sample is not desired. Also, each module may include removable filters for absorbing certain types of light, such as ultraviolet visible light, and blocking elements to determine the source of any reference signal.

Abstract: In an optical instrument, a fiber optic probe is provided to irradiate a sample with visible NIR and ultraviolet light. Glass fibers carry the visible and NIR light to the probe from a visible and NIR light source and quartz fibers carry ultraviolet light to the probe from an ultraviolet source. Glass fibers carry visible and NIR light emanating from the sample to a spectrometer having a fixed grating and an array of photodetectors to receive the spectrum dispersed by the grating within the spectrometer housing. Amplifiers are also contained in the spectrometer housing severally connected to the photodetectors to amplify the output signals of the photodetectors. The probe is provided with a standard white sample pivotal into position to receive the light from the visible light source. A computer is programmed to provide automatic calibrating whenever the temperature within the housing changes more than a predetermined small amount.

Abstract: In a color measuring spectrometer employing a reflecting grating and a linear array of photodetectors for measuring different components of a spectrum, the width of the photodetectors varies throughout the length of the array. The width of each photodetector is selected so that each photodetector detects the same bandwidth interval measured in wavelengths.

Abstract: In a color measuring instrument, an integrating sphere is used to illuminate the sample and fiber optics are used to carry light diffusely reflected from the sample and from an interior wall of the sphere to a spectrometer. The transmitting ends of the fiber optic bundles are fixed in the housing of the spectrometer as entrance slits for the spectrometer, which includes a fixed grating and one or two arrays of photodetectors to detect the spectra dispersed by the grating from light received from the two transmitting ends.

Abstract: An appliance for converting an optical reflectance measuring instrument into a transmittance measuring instrument is shaped to fit in the aperture of a probe of the reflectance measuring instrument. When used as a reflectance measuring instrument, reflectance samples are positioned over the aperture. The appliance has a fiber optic cable which receives light from the probe and carries it out through the aperture and redirects the light back toward the aperture through a position designed to receive a sample, the transmittance of which is to be measured. In the optical instrument, the light received by the probe is carried by fiber optics to a spectrometer.

Abstract: In an optical instrument for spectroscopically measuring color and gloss of a sample surface, a fiber optic probe is provided wherein light is transmitted from a light source to the probe through a fiber optic bundle. The fiber optic bundle is arranged to illuminate a surface positioned over an aperture in the probe. Light diffusely reflected from the sample surface is transmitted by a second fiber optic bundle to a spectrophotometer. A small fiber bundle is arranged in the probe to irradiate the surface of the sample at an angle of 60 degrees and a second small fiber bundle is arranged to receive light from the first mentioned small fiber bundle after being specularly reflected from the surface. The second fiber optic bundle transmits the received light to a photodetector in the spectrophotometer to provide an indication of the gloss of the sample surface.