Patent ID: 7420683
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A spectroscopy system for characterizing surface phenomenon comprising: at least one light source operable to generate a source beam, an optical element having an optical surface and a rear surface, a support block formed in contact with the rear surface of the optical element, the support block having formed therein at least one sample well having a center and at least one port having a passageway leading from a lower portion of said at least one sample well, the source beam being aimed at the sample well, the support block being disposed on the optical surface thereby defining a substantially vertical rear cell surface having a center, a syringe filled with a membrane solution in fluid communication with a needle having a distal end disposed in front of the sample well, the distal end being aimed at a point above the center of the rear cell surface, the syringe be operable to eject a steady stream of membrane solution from the needle onto the circular rear cell surface thereby forming a membrane defining at least a portion of a layer under test, the membrane having a substantially uniform thickness that covers substantially the entire rear cell surface, and a detector operable to detect light that is at least one of reflected and scattered by the layer under test.