Patent ID: 6654123
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A sensor utilizing attenuated total reflection, comprising:a dielectric block; a thin film layer, formed on a surface of said dielectric block, for placing a sample thereon; a light source for emitting a light beam; an optical system for making said light beam enter said dielectric block at various angles of incidence so that a condition for total internal reflection is satisfied at an interface between said dielectric block and said thin film layer; photodetection means, comprising a plurality of light-receiving elements juxtaposed in a predetermined direction and disposed to respectively receive components of said light beam satisfying said total internal reflection condition at said interface, for detecting said attenuated total reflection; differentiation means for differentiating photodetection signals output from the light-receiving elements of said photodetection means, in said predetermined direction in which said light-receiving elements are juxtaposed; and adjustment means for optically expanding the width of a dark line, corresponding to said attenuated total reflection, of said light beam which falls on said photodetection means, so that the width of said dark line becomes greater than a pitch between said light-receiving elements.