Abstract: A spectrophotometer and spectrophotometry, using a precision drive means at the photodiode array, is disclosed. The drive means precisely moves the photodiode array by a distance equal to the physical interval between the photodiodes of the photodiode array. Therefore, the spectrophotometer and spectrophotometry of this invention primarily measures light intensities of incident light by the photodiode array, and precisely moves the photodiode array using the drive means by the distance equal to the physical interval between photodiodes of the photodiode array, and measures the light intensities of the incident light at desired positions corresponding to the intervals.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer and spectrophotometry method, using a precision drive at a photodiode array which precisely moves the photodiode array by a distance equal to the physical interval between the photodiodes of the photodiode array so that the spectrophotometer and spectrophotometry method primarily measures light intensities of incident light by the photodiode array, and when precisely moves the photodiode array using the drive by the distance equal to the physical interval between photodiodes of the photodiode array, measures the light intensities of the incident light at desired positions corresponding to the intervals.

Abstract: A simple method and apparatus for circular dichroism spectrophotometry are provided that allow a liquid, cream-type, and gel-type specimens having a low degree of transparency to be measured directly and nondestructively without passing light through the specimens. Right-handed or left-handed circularly polarized light enters a prism from an entrance face and hits a specimen mounting face of the prism, on which a specimen is placed, at an angle of 80°. Then, after being totally reflected by the specimen mounting face and going out from an exit face, the light is detected, and the absorbance is determined.

Abstract: An optical measuring device, particularly using spectrophotometry, which comprises at least one group of optical fibers (24) connected to measuring cells, at least one auxiliary optical fiber (30) and at least one selection member connecting the latter to the group. The selective member establishes a link between the auxiliary fiber and one of the fibers of the group. The selection member comprises fixed optical means (32, 34 ) for establishing the link between the group and the auxiliary fiber and retractable seals (36) associated with the fibers of the group and which seal the ends of auxiliary fibers leading to said member.

Abstract: A method for measuring the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample by spectrophotometry: providing an open top cuvette having a sample with an analyte to be measured; providing a light source and a detector for detecting emitted light; taking at least two measurements that includes: (i) directing at least two beams of light from the light source to different locations on the cuvette; (ii) passing the at least two beams through the cuvette at their respective locations and through the sample to be measured; and (iii) measuring at least two respective emitted light beams with the detector; and comparing the at least two emitted light beams to determine if: all the emitted light beams should be disregarded; one or more of the emitted light beams should be disregarded; or the sample absorbances should be averaged. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes taking at least three measurements.

Abstract: The invention concerns improvements in spectrophotometry. Aspects of the invention may be used independently or together to increase the sensitivity of spectrophotometry. One aspect of the invention is a spectrophotometer detection circuit. In this aspect of the invention, currents attributable to reference and sample beams are cancelled in the current mode. The detection circuit produces a first voltage proportional to the difference in currents and a second voltage proportional to one of the reference or sample beams. Both voltages are available to allow simultaneous measurement and analysis. Another aspect of the invention concerns thermal stability. According to the invention, thermal conductivity is established among the housing and optical system components to promote equilibrium. Another preferred embodiment has a unitary solid metal housing with a hollowed portion defined to mount and place optical system components.

Abstract: A method for measuring the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample by spectrophotometry: providing an open top cuvette having a sample with an analyte to be measured; providing a light source and a detector for detecting emitted light; taking at least two measurements that includes: (i) directing at least two beams of light from the light source to different locations on the cuvette; (ii) passing the at least two beams through the cuvette at their respective locations and through the sample to be measured; and (iii) measuring at least two respective emitted light beams with the detector; and comparing the at least two emitted light beams to determine if: all the emitted light beams should be disregarded; one or more of the emitted light beams should be disregarded; or the sample absorbances should be averaged. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes taking at least three measurements.

Abstract: A method for measuring the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample by spectrophotometry: providing an open top cuvette having a sample with an analyte to be measured; providing a light source and a detector for detecting emitted light; taking at least two measurements that includes: (i) directing at least two beams of light from the light source to different locations on the cuvette; (ii) passing the at least two beams through the cuvette at their respective locations and through the sample to be measured; and (iii) measuring at least two respective emitted light beams with the detector; and comparing the at least two emitted light beams to determine if: all the emitted light beams should be disregarded; one or more of the emitted light beams should be disregarded; or the sample absorbances should be averaged. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes taking at least three measurements.

Abstract: The invention concerns improvements in spectrophotometry. Aspects of the invention may be used independently or together to increase the sensitivity of spectrophotometry. One aspect of the invention is a spectrophotometer detection circuit. In this aspect of the invention, currents attributable to reference and sample beams are cancelled in the current mode. The detection circuit produces a first voltage proportional to the difference in currents and a second voltage proportional to one of the reference or sample beams. Both voltages are available to allow simultaneous measurement and analysis. Another aspect of the invention concerns thermal stability. According to the invention, thermal conductivity is established among the housing and optical system components to promote equilibrium. Another preferred embodiment has a unitary solid metal housing with a hollowed portion defined to mount and place optical system components.

Abstract: A system uses reflectance spectrophotometry to characterize a sample having any number of structures. The system uses toroidal mirrors that are shaped in such a way that the angle of reflectance off of the target is small. The small angle of reflectance may allow for simplification of calculations and can result in a faster processing time. In addition, a more accurate measurement can be achieved when the reflected beam is close to normal.

Abstract: An ultraviolet/visible/infrared spectrophotometer, with a pulsed light source (10), has a monochromator with variable slit width to provide variable spectral resolution. The dynamic range at the detectors (24, 28) is reduced by varying the pulse energy emitted by the light source (10) in accordance with the wavelength and slit width settings (34, 36), and/or by varying the slit height in accordance with the slit width. The ligth source (10) may be a xenon flash lamp.

Abstract: According to the invention, to analyse a non-limpid medium, this medium is lit by at least one light pulse, a spectral and temporal transmission image, in counting mode, is acquired from the lit medium, and the image and derivatives thereof are processed so as to acquire information about the non-limpid medium. The invention applies to the analysis of diffusing and absorbing media, for example milk.

Abstract: A method for the quantification of an antigen, antibody, or antigen-antibody complex in a sample solution involving measuring the results of an immunochemical agglutination reaction or an agglutination inhibition reaction by spectrophotometry, wherein after the initiation of the agglutination between the antigen, antibody, or antigen-antibody complex to be determined and sensitized carrier particles to which a substance specifically bindable to the said antigen, antibody, or antigen-antibody complex is bound, a fixing compound is added to fix aggregates formed by the agglutination. A measuring reagent kit or pack includes all the components for use in carrying out the above method.

Abstract: An apparatus uses reflectance spectrophotometry to characterize a sample having any number of thin films. The apparatus uses two toroidal mirrors in an optical relay to direct light reflected by the sample to a spectrophotometer. A computer then analyzes the reflected spectrum to characterize the optical properties of the sample. The optical relay allows a range of angles of reflection from the sample, and has no chromatic aberration. The optical relay is also arranged so that the non-chromatic aberration is minimized. The sample is mounted on a movable stage so that different areas of the sample may be characterized. Furthermore, a deflector and a viewer are used to allow the operator of the apparatus to view the region of the sample under study.

Abstract: The invention concerns measurements in which light interacts with matter to generate light intensity changes, and spectrophotometer devices of the invention provide ultrasensitive measurements. Light source noise in these measurements can be reduced in accordance with the invention. Exemplary embodiments of the invention use sealed housings lacking an internal light source. In some embodiments a substantially solid thermally conductive housing is used. Other embodiments include particular reflection based sample and reference cells. One embodiment includes a prism including an interaction surface, a detector, a lens that focuses a prism beam output onto the detector, and a closed interaction volume for delivering gas or liquid to the interaction surface. Another embodiment replaces a prism with a reflective surface. Another embodiment replaces a prism with a scattering matte surface.