Analytical Instrument with Collimated and Adjustable Length Optical Path

摘要

This disclosure relates generally to analytical instruments for measuring one or more properties of specimens or samples to be analyzed and, more particularly, to an analytical instrument with an adjustable optical path length. An analytical instrument may include a specimen support upon which a specimen may rest and a compression plate for controllably adjusting an optical path length of the specimen between the specimen support and the compression plate. In particular, a specimen may contact both the specimen support and the compression plate such that controlling a distance of the compression plate with respect to the specimen support effectively controls the optical path length of the specimen. An analytical instrument may include collimating lenses to collimate electromagnetic energy for transmission through a specimen and converging lenses for directing electromagnetic energy transmitted through the specimen into one or more sensors.

主权项

1. An analytical instrument for measuring at least one property of a specimen, the analytical instrument comprising:
a specimen support having a top surface and a bottom surface, the specimen support being affixed to a base; a compression plate having a compression surface, wherein the compression plate is non-contiguous with the specimen support such that an optical path length is defined between the top surface and the compression surface when the compression surface is in a closed position; an adjustment component at least partially coupling the compression plate to the base, the adjustment component operable to linearly control a position of the compression plate with respect to the specimen support thereby adjustably controlling the optical path length; an electromagnetic (EM) energy source disposed under the bottom surface, the EM energy source operable to transmit EM energy through the specimen while the specimen is in contact with each of the top surface of the specimen support and the compression surface of the compression plate; a collimator lens disposed between the EM energy source and the specimen support to collimate the EM energy emitted by the EM energy source prior to transmission of at least a portion of the EM energy through the specimen; and an EM energy sensor disposed above the compression plate and opposite the compression surface, the EM energy sensor responsive to EM energy received at the EM energy sensor to produce a signal indicative of the at least one property of the specimen.