Means and method for measuring absorption of radiation-scattering samples
First Claim
1. A method of measuring radiation absorption of a sample, comprising:
- a) providing an analyzer including a radiation source, a sample holder, a radiation detector, and a selectively operable radiation occluder positioned between the source and the detector along a radiation path;
b) placing a sample in the sample holder;
c) positioning the occluder at a first position;
directing radiation from the source toward the sample; and
taking a first radiation measurement with the detector;
d) positioning the occluder at a second position, the percentage of radiation occluded by the occluder in the second position being different from the percentage of radiation occluded in the first position;
directing radiation from the source toward the sample; and
taking a second radiation measurement with the detector;
e) positioning the occluder at a third position, the percentage of radiation occluded by the occluder in the third position being different from the percentage of radiation occluded in either of the first or second positions;
directing radiation from the source toward the sample; and
taking a third radiation measurement with the detector;
f) comparing the first, second and third radiation measurements to determine radiation attenuation attributable to scattering by the sample; and
g) factoring out said radiation attenuation attributable to scattering to determine a radiation absorption value for the sample.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and devices for measuring radiation absorption by a sample. The invention enables one to determine whether the sample scatters the radiation of interest and, if so, to factor out the effects of such scattering and ore accurately determine the true absorption of the sample. The invention may employ a selectively controllable occluder which is moved between three or more different positions to yield three or more different radiation measurements. These measurements can then be compared to one another to determine the nature of any radiation scattering and factor out its effects, enabling more accurate absorption determinations.
63 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of measuring radiation absorption of a sample, comprising:
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a) providing an analyzer including a radiation source, a sample holder, a radiation detector, and a selectively operable radiation occluder positioned between the source and the detector along a radiation path; b) placing a sample in the sample holder; c) positioning the occluder at a first position;
directing radiation from the source toward the sample; and
taking a first radiation measurement with the detector;d) positioning the occluder at a second position, the percentage of radiation occluded by the occluder in the second position being different from the percentage of radiation occluded in the first position;
directing radiation from the source toward the sample; and
taking a second radiation measurement with the detector;e) positioning the occluder at a third position, the percentage of radiation occluded by the occluder in the third position being different from the percentage of radiation occluded in either of the first or second positions;
directing radiation from the source toward the sample; and
taking a third radiation measurement with the detector;f) comparing the first, second and third radiation measurements to determine radiation attenuation attributable to scattering by the sample; and g) factoring out said radiation attenuation attributable to scattering to determine a radiation absorption value for the sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of measuring light absorption of a light-scattering sample, comprising:
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a) providing an analyzer including a light source, a sample holder, a light detector, and a selectively operable occluder positioned between the source and the detector along a light path; b) placing a sample in the sample holder; c) positioning the occluder at a first position;
directing light from the source toward the sample; and
taking a first light measurement with the detector;d) positioning the occluder at a second position, the percentage of light occluded by the occluder in the second position being different from the percentage of light occluded in the first position;
directing light from the source toward the sample; and
taking a second light measurement with the detector;e) positioning the occluder at a third position, the percentage of light occluded by the occluder in the third position being different from the percentage of light occluded in either of the first or second positions;
directing light from the source toward the sample; and
taking a third light measurement with the detector;f) comparing the first, second and third light measurements to determine light attenuation attributable to scattering caused by the sample; and g) factoring out said attenuation attributable to scattering to determine a light absorption value for the sample. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An analyzer for measuring light attenuation of a sample comprising:
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a) a light source; b) a sample holder; c) a light detector; d) a selectively controllable light occluder positioned between the light source and the light detector along a light path, the occluder comprising a plate having an area which is highly transmissive of light at a predetermined wavelength and at least one area which is less transmissive of light at said wavelength; and e) a motor for moving the occluder between a first position wherein the plate of the occluder is positioned relative to the light path to occlude a first percentage of the light, a second position wherein the plate of the occluder is positioned relative to the light path to occlude a second percentage of the light, and a third position wherein the plate of the occluder is positioned relative to the light path to occlude a third percentage of the light. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. An analyzer for measuring light attenuation of a sample comprising:
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a) a light source; b) a sample holder; c) a light detector; d) an occluder comprising first and second polarizing plates, the first polarizing plate being positioned between the light source and the sample holder along a light path and the second polarizing plate being positioned between the sample holder and the light detector along the light path; and e) at least one motor for moving the at least one of the first and second polarizing plates with respect to the other from a first relative orientation wherein the polarizing plates of the occluder occlude a first percentage of the light, a second relative orientation wherein the polarizing plates occlude a second percentage of the light, and a third relative orientation wherein the polarizing plates occlude a third percentage of the light.
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Specification