Patent ID: 6919556
Filing Date: 2005-07-19
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A system for monitoring solid and semi-solid materials comprising: a photon source, said photon source being operable to produce substantially monochromatic photons of a predetermined wavelength; a Raman probe in communication with said photon source, said Raman probe operable to direct said substantially monochromatic photons produced by said photon source onto a target, thereby illuminating at least of portion of said target with said substantially monochromatic photons, said Raman probe further operable to collect radiation emitted from said target following exposure of said target to said substantially monochromatic photons; a material handling apparatus having at least one control gate operable to receive a material and to orient said material so that at least of portion of said material is in a position so that it will be illuminated by said substantially monochromatic photons directed by said Raman probe, said material handling device accomplishing said receipt and orientation of said material without the need for human contact with said material; an optical receiver in communication with said Raman probe, said optical receiver operable to receive information from said Raman probe and record a digital image of said information, said information comprising said radiation emitted from said target; and a computer in communication with said photon source, said Raman probe, said material handling apparatus, and digital image receiver, said computer operable to control the operation of said photon source, said Raman probe, said material handling apparatus, and said digital image receiver, and the communication therebetween.