Abstract: Various techniques are provided for increasing contrast of gas features in a scene. In one example, a method includes receiving a captured infrared image comprising a gas feature and a scene feature. The captured infrared image comprises a first range of pixel values associated with a first temperature range of the gas feature and the scene feature. The method also includes applying a spatial filter to the captured infrared image to provide a spatially filtered infrared image retaining the gas feature and removing the scene feature. The spatially filtered infrared image comprises a second range of pixel values associated with a second temperature range of the gas feature without the additional scene feature to exhibit increased gas contrast over the captured infrared image. Additional methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging enabled by natural range-dependent processes. Multiple lasers are configured to independently flash illuminate a target object to 3-D image a resultant “scene” onto a focal plane array (FPA). The first laser produces a wavelength non-resonant with an atmospheric absorption line along the illumination path. The second laser produces a wavelength resonant with the atmospheric absorption line, and closely spaced with the non-resonant wavelength. A ratio of the respective intensities recorded at the FPA for the two wavelengths calculates a range to the target object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor data are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for calibration of a continuous analyte sensor. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for classification of a level of noise on a sensor signal. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for determining a rate of change for analyte concentration based on a continuous sensor signal. In some embodiments, systems and methods for alerting or alarming a patient based on prediction of glucose concentration are provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for identifying compounds using spectra generated by X-rays at two different voltage levels.

Abstract: Method for measuring thickness of coatings includes illuminating an automobile sample comprising a substrate and at least one coating with light waves of varying wavelengths from a light source. It further includes receiving the light waves reflected by a top surface and a bottom surface of the coating on the sample at the light collector. It also includes diffracting the light waves into a plurality of component wavelengths with a grating, detecting light intensities of the plurality of component wavelengths at a detector array, generating a combined reflected interference pattern spectral curve using the detected light intensities for each of the received light waves for each of the plurality of component wavelengths, and calculating a thickness of the at least one coating from a frequency of the combined reflected interference pattern spectral curve of the component wavelengths.

Abstract: A method for measuring a thickness of a coating includes illuminating a substrate of an appliance with light waves of varying wavelengths from a light source. The method further includes receiving the light waves reflected by a top surface and a bottom surface of the coating at a light collector. The method may further include diffracting the light waves into a plurality of component wavelengths with a grating, and detecting light intensities of the plurality of component wavelengths at a detector array. The method may further include calculating a thickness of the coating from the detected light intensities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable device for estimating at least one parameter characteristic of a polymer material, characterized in that the device comprises at least one infrared source, each infrared source being capable of emitting towards the polymer material a spectral line, representing maximum emission energy, selected in one of the wavelengths 10 ?m, 9.5 ?m, 7.2 ?m, 6 ?m, 3.5 ?m, 2.7 ?m or in one of the wave numbers 1,000 cm?1, 1,050 cm?1, 1,350 cm?1, 1,700 cm?1, 2,900 cm?1, 3,700 cm?1, at least one infrared detector, capable of receiving infrared radiation, which is reflected by the polymer material in response to the spectral line, a unit for determining the parameter characteristic of the polymer material as a function of the energy present in said spectral line in the infrared radiation, having been reflected by the polymer material and having been received by the infrared detector.

Abstract: A device for optical detection of analytes in a sample includes at least two optoelectronic components. The optoelectronic components include at least one optical detector configured to receive a photon and at least one optical emitter configured to emit a photon. The at least one optical emitter includes at least three optical emitters disposed in a flat, non-linear arrangement, and the at least one optical detector includes at least three optical detectors disposed in a flat, non-linear arrangement. The at least three optical emitters and the at least three optical detectors include at least three different wavelength characteristics.

Abstract: A photoacoustic gas analyzer, including: a gas chamber to receive a gas to be analyzed; a radiation source that emits into the gas chamber electromagnetic radiation with a time-varying intensity to excite gas molecules of N mutually different gas types the concentrations of which are to be determined in the received gas, wherein the radiation source is operable in N mutually different modes, each mode having a unique emission spectrum different from the emission spectra of the other N?1 modes; an acoustic-wave sensor that detects acoustic waves generated by the electromagnetic radiation emitted into the gas to be analyzed; and a control unit to operate the radiation source in the different modes respectively to emit electromagnetic radiation with a time-varying intensity; to receive in each mode from the acoustic-wave sensor signals; and to determine from the signals received in each mode the concentrations of the N mutually different gas types.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a standard computer processor in operation receiving a plurality of stimulus-value signals. The apparatus includes a standard computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out a method for identifying at least one chemical of interest. The method includes the following. A chromaticity chart including a plurality of chemical groupings is generated. The at least one chemical of interest is classified as belonging to a respective chemical grouping of the plurality of chemical groupings based on the chromaticity chart and the plurality of stimulus-value signals. Optionally, the chromaticity chart includes a molecular vibrational chart.

Abstract: A method for measuring the thickness of coatings on metal substrates comprises illuminating a sample comprising a substrate and a coating with light waves of varying wavelengths from a light source, receiving the light waves reflected by the sample at a light collector, diffracting the light waves into a plurality of component wavelengths with a grating, detecting the light intensities of the plurality of component wavelengths at a detector array, generating a reflectance spectral curve using the detected light intensities for each of the plurality of component wavelengths, calculating the thickness of the coating from the reflectance spectral curves of the component wavelengths.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is capable of determining a height of a surface of an object having a structure including a high light transmittance layer located on a color development layer. The image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of pieces of image data and parameters associated with imaging, a generation unit configured to generate specular reflection data and a diffuse reflection data based on the plurality of pieces of image data, a first determination unit configured to determine a height of the color development layer based on the diffuse reflection data, and a second determination unit configured to determine a height of the high light transmittance layer based on the parameters, the specular reflection data, and the height of the color development layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods to mitigate an effect of an errant signal on an image sensor of a vehicle involve collecting light and separating the light to obtain signals at different wavelengths. A method includes determining an intensity of the light at each of the different wavelengths, and identifying the errant signal based on the intensity of the light exceeding a threshold value at an errant signal wavelength among the different wavelengths. The errant signal is mitigated using the controller.

Abstract: A fodder mixing wagon, comprising a mixing container containing a mixing device, which is adapted to be driven in a mixing process of at least two fodder components, and at least one electronically operable sensor system having a head and used for determining fodder values of at least one fodder component, the head is arranged such that it is operable in the interior of the fodder mixture during the mixing process for determining fodder values of all loaded fodder components and/or the mixing accuracy of the fodder mixture.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatus for spectroscopic analysis of samples. In many embodiments, an apparatus for providing spectroscopic analysis of a sample comprises a sample holder. For example, the sample holder may comprise a consumable single use sample holder that can be readily coupled to and removed from a measurement apparatus such as a spectrometer. The sample holder may comprise a measurement surface configured to receive the sample during measurement, wherein the measurement surface may comprise a porous mesh. The porous mesh can receive the sample to optimally configure the sample for spectroscopic measurement, as described in further detail herein.

Abstract: An optical sensor determines a characteristic of a fluid medium based on a plurality of detector outputs and a characteristic model. The optical sensor directs light into the fluid medium, detects light at each of a plurality of wavelengths transmitted through the fluid medium, and produces therefrom the plurality of detector outputs. The characteristic model provides an estimate of the characteristic of the fluid medium based on a partial least squares analysis of optical transmission measurements through at least one reference fluid medium having a known characteristic.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of measuring a gas concentration includes modulating an infrared light source according to a frequency-hopped sequence or according to a pulse sequence, receiving a microphone signal from an output of a microphone acoustically coupled to a gas exposed to infrared light produced by the infrared light source; bandpass filtering the microphone signal using a bandpass filter; and estimating the gas concentration from the filtered microphone signal.

Abstract: A method of assessing mass spectral peaks obtained by a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The method comprises: providing mass spectral data; selecting a chemical compound thought to have been analysed to provide said experimentally observed data, and modelling the spectral data predicted to be detected if the compound was to be mass analysed. Modelling comprises: generating a first set of spectral data including at least one mass peak that is predicted to be detected for the selected compound; generating a second set of spectral data by duplicating at least part of the first set of spectral data and shifting at least one mass peak in mass to charge ratio relative to the corresponding at least one mass peak in the first set of spectral data; and summing the amplitudes of the first and second sets of spectral data to produce a model data set having at least one mass peak.

Abstract: A polarization and color sensitive pixel device and a focal plane array made therefrom. Each incorporates a thick color/polarization filter stack and microlens array for visible (0.4-0.75 micron), near infrared (0.75-3 micron), mid infrared (3-8 micron) and long wave infrared (8-15 micron) imaging. A thick pixel filter has a thickness of between about one to 10× the operational wavelength, while a thick focal plane array filter is on the order of or larger than the size or up to 10× the pitch of the pixels in the focal plane array. The optical filters can be precisely fabricated on a wafer. A filter array can be mounted directly on top of an image sensor to create a polarization camera. Alternatively, the optical filters can be fabricated directly on the image sensor.

Abstract: A noninvasive mid-infrared in vivo glucose sensor for use in connection with the skin of a test subject is disclosed. The sensor includes a mid-infrared light source configured to deliver a light beam to the skin of the test subject, a collector element configured to collect backscattered light from the skin and direct it to the detector, and a detector element configured to measure the collected backscattered light from the skin. The mid-infrared light source may be a quantum cascade laser. The sensor may include optical fibers configured to deliver the light beam to the skin of the test subject. The collector element may be an integrating sphere or a bundle of two or more optical fibers. The sensor may also include a probe containing or connecting to optical fibers coupled to the mid-infrared light source and configured to be placed on the skin to take glucose level readings.

Abstract: A system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises at least two electrodes communicatively coupled to a bio-organism. The system further comprises a data acquisition device coupled to the electrodes for receiving analog signals indicative of voltage potential differences in the bio-organism. In addition, the system comprises logic configured to compare a fast Fourier transform (FFT) signature of the signals received with an FFT signature of a bio-organism known to be healthy to determine whether the bio-organism has a particular disease.

Abstract: A method for designing an integrated computational element (ICE) includes generating an array of discrete data points and plotting the discrete data points across a predetermined wavelength region. A line shape is then generated that connects to and is constrained by the array of discrete data points, and thereby generates a first transmission function. The discrete data points are then iteratively modified based on one or more performance criteria to generate a second transmission function. A model transmission function corresponding to a model ICE design is then fitted to the second transmission function to identifying a predictive ICE design configured to detect a desired characteristic of interest.

Abstract: This is a wearable device to measure a person's food consumption based on the interaction between light energy and body tissue comprising: a wearable spectroscopic sensor that collects data concerning the spectrum of light energy reflected from body tissue or having passed through body tissue; a data processing unit; and a power source. Spectroscopic sensor data is analyzed to measure consumption of selected types of food, ingredients, and/or nutrients. This device can be embodied in a finger ring, smart watch, wrist band, wrist bracelet, armlet, cuff, or sleeve with close-fitting spectroscopic sensors.

Abstract: An illuminator/collector assembly can deliver incident light to a sample and collect return light returning from the sample. A sensor can measure ray intensities as a function of ray position and ray angle for the collected return light. A ray selector can select a first subset of rays from the collected return light at the sensor that meet a first selection criterion. In some examples, the ray selector can aggregate ray intensities into bins, each bin corresponding to rays in the collected return light that traverse within the sample an estimated optical path length within a respective range of optical path lengths. A characterizer can determine a physical property of the sample, such as absorptivity, based on the ray intensities, ray positions, and ray angles for the first subset of rays. Accounting for variations in optical path length traversed within the sample can improve accuracy.

Abstract: An optical sensor interrogation system can have a light source arranged for emitting light; a first optical arrangement arranged for intercepting the light and to forward the light to an optical sensor and to receive light therefrom. The wavelength reference is adapted to provide a reference wavelength. The system can further have a second optical arrangement adapted to receive reflected light from the optical sensor, a lens system for transferring the light into a beam and a scanning assembly including a scanning unit and/or a diffractive optical element. The system can still further have a detector for receiving optical response from the scanning assembly and a data processing system. A method is used to manufacture an optical sensor interrogation system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are shown for detecting potential attacks on a domain, where one or more servers, in response to a failure event, obtain a lambda value from a baseline model of historical data associated with a current time interval corresponding to the failure event, determine a probability of whether a total count of failure events for the current time interval is within an expected range using a cumulative density function based on the lambda value, and identify a possible malicious attack if the probability is less than or equal to a selected alpha value.

Abstract: A wavelength selective bolometer includes a substrate configured to serve as a foundation for the apparatus and a thermal isolation gap established between the substrate and subsequent solid material layers. A conducting ground plane layer is disposed above the thermal isolation gap, and a first dielectric layer is mated to a top surface of the conducting ground plane. A temperature sensing material layer is mated to a top surface of the first dielectric layer, and a plurality of interconnects is placed in electrical communication with the temperature sensing material layer. A second dielectric layer is mated to a top surface of the temperature sensing material, and at least one conductive element is mated to a top surface of the second dielectric layer. The dimensions of the conductive element and other variables are chosen to achieve resonant absorption of selected wavelengths of radiation incident thereupon.

Abstract: A device for analyzing measurement data having a plurality of data sets, each data set being assigned to a respective one of a plurality of measurements, each data set having multiple features being indicative of different fractions of a fluidic sample, the device comprising a cluster determining unit configured for determining feature clusters by clustering features from different data sets presumably relating to the same fraction, a spread determining unit configured for determining for at least a part of the feature clusters a spread of the features within a respective feature cluster, and a display unit configured for displaying at least the part of the feature clusters together with a graphical indication of the corresponding spread.

Abstract: A measuring system (10) and method measure a concentration of components of a gas mixture of gas/aerosol. A reaction support (14) has a flow channel (42) that forms a reaction chamber (46) with an optically detectable reactant (48) that reacts with at least one component or with a reaction product of the component. The flow channel (42) is at least partially filled with particles (100, 102, 104, 110) which have a pre-flow starting position and to which a gas flow is applied through the flow channel (42) in a flow position. The particles (100, 102, 104, 110) are designed (configured) in such a manner that the particles (100, 102, 104, 110) in the starting position and the particles (100, 102, 104, 110) in the flow position can be optically distinguished. The invention also relates to an optical flow sensor (109) for determining a flow of a fluid.

Abstract: Spectral ellipsometry measurement systems are provided including a polarizer that rotates at a first angle and adjusts a polarizing direction of incident light of a measurement sample; a compensator that rotates at a second angle, different from the first angle, and adjusts a phase difference of the incident light; an analyzer that rotates at a third angle and adjusts a polarizing direction of light reflected on the measurement sample; a detector that detects a spectral image from the reflected light; a controller that controls one of the polarizer, the compensator, and the analyzer according to polarizer-compensator-analyzer (PCA) angle sets including the first to third angles; and a processor that receives, from the detector, a first spectral image corresponding to a first PCA angle set and a first wavelength and a second spectral image corresponding to a second PCA angle set and a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, and generates a polarizer-compensator-analyzer rotating (PCAR) spectral

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical fluid identification approximation and calibration are described herein. One example method includes populating a database with a calculated pseudo optical sensor (CPOS) response of a first optical tool to a first sample fluid. The CPOS response of the first optical tool may be based on a transmittance spectrum of a sample fluid and may comprise a complex calculation using selected components of the first optical tool. A first model may be generated based, at least in part, on the database. The first model may receive as an input an optical sensor response and output a predicted fluid property. A second model may also be generated based, at least in part, on the database. The second model may receive as an input at least one known/measured fluid/environmental property value and may output a predicted pseudo optical sensor response of the first optical tool.

Abstract: A non-linear microscopy includes an illuminating unit collecting an illuminating light supplied from a light source on a specimen and making a coherent non-linear optical process takes place at a collecting point; a detecting unit detecting a coherent object light occurred in the non-linear optical process and generating a signal indicating light intensity at a light detecting part; and a controlling unit scanning a specimen plane of the specimen by the collecting point and measuring a distribution of the signal on the specimen plane; in which at least one of an optical path of the illuminating light from the light source toward the specimen and an optical path of the object light from the specimen toward the light detecting part is duplicated to a pair of optical paths, and a relationship between the pair of optical paths is set to a symmetric relationship with respect to the specimen plane.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatuses and methods of killing or deactivating bacteria are disclosed herein. An exemplary apparatus for killing or deactivating bacteria includes a plasma vapor chamber. The plasma vapor chamber has a vapor inlet for allowing a vapor into the chamber, a high voltage electrode, one or more grounding electrodes. The one or more grounding electrodes at least partially surrounding the plasma vapor chamber. The plasma vapor chamber includes an outlet for allowing fluid to flow out of the chamber. When the chamber is filled with vapor for a period of time sufficient to saturate the chamber with vapor, the high voltage electrode is energized to generate plasma throughout the chamber.

Abstract: An improved luminescent optode is disclosed that is capable of conducting a self-test to determine the quality of the optode's measurement of the concentration of a quenching molecule in a fluid, along with a method for conducting the self-test.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing digitally enhanced imaging for the prediction, application, and inspection of coatings. A digital imaging and processing device provides image acquisition, processing, and display of acquired digital imaging data to allow a user to discern variations, beyond that which can be discerned by observing a coating or a substrate with the naked eye. The digital imaging and processing device may also provide pre-coating and post-coating inspection capabilities as well as coating prediction capabilities.

Abstract: There is provided an image acquisition device including a light source configured to emit laser light and to be capable of controlling a wavelength of the laser light, a measurement unit configured to scan a sample using the laser light and to measure an intensity of measurement target light from the sample by receiving the laser light, and a control unit configured to generate an image of the sample based on intensity distribution of the measured measurement target light. The control unit controls a wavelength of the laser light based on the intensity distribution of the measured measurement target light.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for determining the composition of an unknown sample. The present invention is directed to a method of calibrating an x-ray spectrometer that does not require measuring all possible elements under the operating conditions used to measure the unknown sample to be analyzed. According to a preferred embodiment, the local instrument can be calibrated from an x-ray spectrum of a single elemental standard. The instrument will have a stored library containing high quality spectra for all elements being analyzed. The analysis of the single element is compared to the library spectra for that element to define a transformation that is used to create a calibrated spectra library that includes a calibrated spectrum for each spectrum in the original library. The spectra generated by the local instrument can be compared to the calibrated library spectra to determine the elements in an unknown mineral.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement for determining the amount of starch used in surface-sizing a cellulose product. In the solution according to the invention, the amount of starch is determined with a transmission method utilizing IR spectroscopy by using absorption wavelengths of cellulose. Absorption values are measured before adding a coating and after it, whereby the amount of starch is determined from the difference between these absorption values.

Abstract: A method for analysing a droplet fraction of an oil mist sample of a gas turbine is provided. A collecting device collects the oil mist sample, wherein the collecting device is arranged within a breather pipe which is coupled to the gas turbine such that oil mist is flowing through the breather pipe. The droplet fraction is separated from a gaseous fraction of the oil mist sample by a filter device, wherein the filter device is soaked with the droplet fraction, the droplet fraction is extracted from the filter device by using a tetrachloroethylene solvent. A composition of the droplet fraction is analysed by a spectrometer.

Abstract: A concentration measurement method by an absorptiometric method which measures a concentration of a first solute component dissolved in a solution, in which the first solute component interacts with a solvent, includes: referring to an absorption coefficient (?aw(?)) of the solvent; measuring an absorption coefficient (?a(?)) of a first sample material, after an interaction between the solvent and the first solute component has occurred; and obtaining an unknown volume fraction (vg) of the first solute component and a volume fraction (vw) of the solvent, based on the absorption coefficient (?aw(?)) of the solvent, a apparent absorption coefficient (??ag(?)) of the first solute component, and the absorption coefficient (?a(?)) of the first sample material.

Abstract: When a system is powered on and becomes ready for a measurement, it automatically begins to acquire an interferogram (IFG). When a new IFG is acquired, if a background (BKG) IFG is present in a memory but there is no sample IFG (S2 and S4), the new IFG is compared with the BKG-IFG and, if the two IFGs are identical, the new IFG is added to the BKG-IFG (S5, S6 and S7). When an operator sets a sample in a sample chamber and the new IFG shows a change, the IFG is stored as a sample IFG (S8). Then, a sample measurement is initiated. After that, when a new IFG is found to be identical to the sample IFG stored in the memory (S9 and S10), the new IFG is added to the sample IFG (S13). The sample measurement is completed when the number of sample IFGs stored in the memory has reached a predetermined accumulation number. Thus, the sample measurement is automatically performed, for which the operator only needs to set a sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining and replicate unknown ratios of original target liquid blends, such as hydrocarbon fuel blends or contaminants, by using an in-process fluorescence-monitored procedure. The methods rely on trial-and-error mixing of the fuel ingredients into a single container. At the end of the trial-and-error procedure, the formed blend becomes an exact replica of the target fuel blend. The methods can also be used to build calibration curves without employing sets of previously prepared standard solutions.

Abstract: A method for on-orbit calibration of the temperature sensors of a simulated blackbody is disclosed. The method may include selecting a simulated blackbody traveling in a micro-gravity environment and comprising a sensor, a container positioned proximate the senor and containing a material, and a heat transfer device positioned proximate the at least one container. The heat transfer device may transition the material through a phase change. The temperature sensor may monitor the temperature of the material during the phase change. A correction may be calculated to correct any disparity between the temperature reported by the temperature sensor during the phase change and the known plateau temperature corresponding to that phase change. The correction may be applied to subsequent temperature readings obtained using the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method of aligning a die when the die is held with a circuit pattern on a first side of the die facing away from an infrared light source, wherein infrared light from the infrared light source is projected onto a second side of the die opposite to the first side such that the infrared light passes through a body of the die. From the second side of the die, an image of the infrared light reflected from the circuit pattern is detected and captured. Thereafter, an alignment of the die from the captured image of the die is determined.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatuses for measuring biological processes using mid-infrared spectroscopy. The method includes the step of directing a mid-infrared signal into a sample of a biological process during a biologically active phase, and the step of detecting a sample spectrum from the mid-infrared signal to form a sample spectrum. The method includes the step of generating a reference spectrum through a reference media, and the step of combining the sample spectrum and the reference spectrum to form an adjusted sample spectrum.

Abstract: A method of determining a physical property of a composite material includes providing a series of composite materials/surfacing films, which are subjected to increasing thermal experience to create a set of thermal effect standards, collecting mid-IR spectra on those standards, performing data pre-processing and then multivariate calibration on the spectra of the composite materials/surfacing films, and using that calibration to predict the thermal effect for samples in question.

Abstract: Methods for in-vitro analysis of biological cells and/or microorganisms to determine characteristics such as: degree of differentiation, cell type, donor individuals, culture conditions, purity, lack of natural characteristic, or additional characteristics in comparison to natural characteristics. The methods include the steps of: (a) projecting infrared radiation on a sample; (b) recording spectral characteristics of the sample; (c) deriving a Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) from the collected spectral characteristics; (d) generating a derivative transformation of the FT-IR spectrum; (e) comparing said derivative transformation with a derivative of a reference FT-IR spectrum; (f) identifying deviations of said derivative from said reference derivative; and (g) providing an analysis of said characteristics based on the presence of said deviations. In addition, the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the disclosed methods.

Abstract: An optical measuring apparatus including: a measuring apparatus body, a lighting unit, a lighting controller. The lighting unit is demountably mounted on the measuring apparatus and has an LED as a light source. The lighting controller is configured to control the lighting unit according to a light intensity command value. The lighting unit includes a storage unit in which a calibration value is stored. The calibration value generates a light intensity corresponding to the light intensity command value. The lighting controller is configured to read calibration values corresponding to the light intensity command value out from the storage unit of the lighting unit upon receipt of the light intensity command value, and controls the LED on the basis of the calibration value.

Abstract: A method of determining contamination on a material having suspected contamination includes irradiating the material having suspected contamination with infrared energy over a spectrum of wavelengths; detecting the infrared energy reflected from the material having suspected contamination over the spectrum of wavelengths; performing multivariate analysis on the spectrum of the reflected infrared energy; comparing results of the multivariate analysis with a predetermined calibration of infrared energy spectra comprising the spectrum of wavelengths collected from at least one reference material; and determining presence or absence of contamination on the material having suspected contamination based on the predetermined calibration.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes receiving and processing a sample signal scan. Processing the sample signal scan includes applying an inner-product operation on the sample signal scan and each of a plurality of eigenvectors to generate a plurality of corresponding coefficients, and subtracting the sample signal scan from a linear combination of the eigenvectors and corresponding coefficients to thereby produce a corrected sample signal scan. In this regard, the eigenvectors have been generated by decomposing a plurality of background reference signal scans according to a singular value decomposition technique. The signal scans include a plurality of electromagnetic signal measurements at a discrete set of frequencies, where each measurement has been taken by a spectrometer system passing an electromagnetic signal through a sample cell including just a base medium (for the background reference signal scans), or both a base medium and a sample medium (for the sample signal scan).