Patent ID: 6128075
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
A stage for an infrared spectrometer having a radiation source and a radiation detector, the stage comprising:a focusing body having opposed front and rear surfaces that converge at edges, the front surface defining a focal surface at its center;a sampling element having an entrance face, an exit face and a sample surface against which a sample may be placed wherein:(i) a first portion of the front surface is shaped to refract a beam of infrared radiation from the radiation source through the first portion of the front surface into the focusing body so as to direct the beam to a first portion of the rear surface;(ii) the first portion of the rear surface is shaped to internally reflect the beam through the focusing body to a second portion of the front surface;(iii) the second portion of the front surface is shaped to internally reflect the beam through the focusing body to a first portion of the focal surface shaped to transmit the beam to the entrance face of the sampling element;(iv) the entrance face is shaped to refract the beam through the sampling element to the sample surface which is shaped to internally reflect the beam through the sampling element to the exit face which in turn is shaped to transmit the beam to a second portion of the focal surface in the focusing body;(v) the second portion of the focal surface is shaped to refract the beam through the focusing body to a third portion of the front surface which is shaped to internally reflect the beam through the focusing body to a second portion of the rear surface;(vi) the second portion of the rear surface is shaped to internally reflect the beam through the focusing body to a fourth portion of the front surface, which is shaped to transmit the beam to the radiation detector.