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 |
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.
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