US 7,321,424 B2
Self-referencing instrument and method thereof for measuring electromagnetic properties
James A. McCandless, Lancaster, Mass. (US)
Assigned to Acton Research Corp., Acton, Mass. (US)
Filed on Aug. 04, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/197,195.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/598935, filed on Aug. 05, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2006/0055932 A1, Mar. 16, 2006
Int. Cl. G01J 3/42 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 356—319 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A self-referencing instrument for measuring properties of electromagnetic radiation, comprising:
a source of the electromagnetic radiation;
a mounting member to which a sample can be coupled, the mounting member moving the sample such that, in a first position, the electromagnetic radiation impinges on the sample, and, in a second position, the electromagnetic radiation passes through an opening of the mounting member, such that the electromagnetic radiation does not impinge on the sample;
a detection unit for receiving the electromagnetic radiation and generating signals therefrom, the detection unit receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the sample and generating a sample signal when the sample is in the first position, and the detection unit receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the source and generating a reference signal when the sample is in the second position; and
a processor coupled to the detection unit for processing the reference signal and the sample signal;
wherein the mounting member can move the sample between the first and second positions such that multiple reference signals can be generated to correspond with multiple sample signals;
wherein, when the sample is in the first position, the electromagnetic radiation received by the detection unit is transmitted through the sample; and
wherein, when the sample is in the first position, the electromagnetic radiation received by the detection unit is reflected from the sample.