Patent ID: 6657720
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
A method of determining a phosphorescence decay characteristic of a sample, or at least a portion thereof, comprising the steps ofi) exposing the sample to a first excitation flash of light, ii) measuring the intensity of a decaying phosphorescence light signal from the sample caused by the first excitation flash at each of a sequence of measurement points which commence at a controlled time after the first excitation flash and are separated by controlled time intervals, iii) exposing the sample to a second excitation flash of light, and iv) measuring the decaying phosphorescence light signal from the sample caused by the second excitation flash at each of a sequence of measurement points which commence at a controlled time interval after the second excitation flash and are separated by controlled times, v) assembling the phosphorescence measurements into time sequence to produce a phosphorescence decay characteristic, or a portion thereof, for the sample.