Patent Description:
Conventionally, a light measurement device has been known which irradiates a sample to be measured with excitation light and measures measurement light generated by this irradiation. For example, Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a light loss measurement device which holds a sample in a state where the sample is placed in an integrator, by a clip of a sample holding means and irradiates the sample with the excitation light.

<CIT> relates to a device for measuring absorption loss and scattering loss by measuring the light emitted from a measuring light emitting window of an integrating sphere taking out light repeating reflection on the inner surface of the integrating sphere. A sample is placed in the integrating sphere and its surface orientation is rotated with respect to an incoming beam.

<CIT> relates to a spectroscopic measurement apparatus comprising an integrating sphere in which a sample is located, a spectroscopic analyzer dispersing the light to be measured from the sample S and obtaining a wavelength spectrum, and a data analyzer.

<CIT> relates to a sample holder to which an holding part of a sample container is attached. The sample holder is detachably attached to an integrating sphere for observing light to be measured which is generated by a sample in a sample container.

<CIT>relates to laboratory devices and accessories for homogenizing sample materials, and particularly to holders for mounting sample tubes to the homogenizing devices to homogenize the samples in the tubes.

In the related art, since the sample is directly held by the clip, there is high possibility that the inside of the integrator is contaminated. Therefore, it is considered that the sample is contained in a sample container and is held. However, in this case, a cap of the sample container may be detached when the sample container is attached/detached to/from the clip, and there is a possibility that the sample leaks from the cell and contaminates the inside of the integrator.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a sample-container holding member, a light measurement device, and a sample-container placing method capable of reducing a possibility that leakage of a sample contaminates inside of an integrator.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a light measurement device configured to measure measurement light generated by irradiating a sample S with excitation light, as defined with independent claim <NUM>. According to a second aspect, there is provided a sample-container placing method as defined with independent claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are defined with the dependent claims.

A sample-container holding member is detachably attached to an integrator via a fixing member and holds a sample container which comprises a cell containing a sample and a cap in a state where the sample container is placed in the integrator, the sample-container holding member comprises a pillar-shaped support portion fixed to the fixing member and a container attaching portion provided at an end of the support portion in an axial direction and to which the sample container is attached, in which the container attaching portion comprises a housing portion housing the cap and a holding portion having contact with at least three points on an outer surface of the cell and holding the sample container.

In the sample-container holding member, the holding portion can reliably hold the cell, not the cap, while housing the cap in the housing portion. This makes it difficult for the cap to be detached when the sample container is attached/detached to/from the sample-container holding member, and leakage of the sample in the cell can be prevented. Therefore, a possibility that contamination in the integrator is caused by the leakage of the sample can be reduced.

In the sample-container holding member according to one aspect of the present invention, the holding portion may hold the sample container in a state where a longitudinal direction of the cell is inclined to one side or another side in an optical axis direction relative to a direction perpendicular to the optical direction of the excitation light to be emitted to the cell. According to this structure, all or a part of the excitation light reflected by the cell is prevented from returning to a direction of a light source of the excitation light.

In the sample-container holding member, at least a part of a contact portion of the support portion with the fixing member may have a prismatic shape. According to this structure, rotation of the sample-container holding member relative to the fixing member in a rotational direction around an axis of the support portion can be prevented.

In the sample-container holding member, the holding portion has an inner surface having a C-shaped cross section, and the inner surface may have contact with an outer surface of the cell to hold the sample container. With this structure, the cell of the sample container can be held by being fitted into the holding portion. That is, the sample container can be easily and detachably held.

In the sample-container holding member, the holding portion is formed of an elastic material. In this structure, when the sample container is attached/detached to/from the sample-container holding member, the C-shaped opening of the holding portion can be opened by using elasticity of the elastic material. With this structure, the sample container can be more easily held.

In the sample-container holding member, an inner diameter of the C-shaped inner surface of the holding portion may be smaller than an outer diameter of the cell. In this structure, when the cell is held by the holding portion, a force to close the C-shape of the holding portion can be applied by using the elasticity of the elastic material. With this structure, the sample container can be more reliably held.

In the sample-container holding member, in the C-shaped inner surface of the holding portion, a groove extending in a direction intersecting with the C-shaped cross section may be formed. With this structure, when the sample container is attached/detached to/from the sample-container holding member, the C-shaped opening of the holding portion can be easily opened by the groove.

In the sample-container holding member, the support portion and the container attaching portion are separately formed, and the container attaching portion may be detachably fixed to an end of the support portion in the axial direction. In this structure, the container attaching portion fixed to the support portion can be replaced, for example, according to the shape of the sample container. Accordingly, the sample containers having various shapes can be easily held.

The sample-container holding member may comprise a light shielding portion provided so as to surround the cap contained in the housing portion. With this structure, absorption of the excitation light by the cap can be prevented by the light shielding portion.

In the sample-container holding member the housing portion comprises a base portion facing a top surface of the cap and a side portion erected on the base portion, the base portion and the side portion define an accommodating space, and a gap may be formed between the cap accommodated in the accommodating space and the side portion. With this structure, a specific structure can be made so that the cap does not have contact with the sample-container holding member when the sample container is attached/detached to/from the sample-container holding member, and it can be more difficult to remove the cap.

The light measurement device according to the first aspect of the present invention is the light measurement device as defined with appended claim <NUM>, and may further comprise a light detector that detects the measurement light, and an analysis unit that analyzes detection result of the light detector.

Since the light measurement device comprises the sample-container holding member, a possibility that contamination in the integrator is caused by the leakage of the sample can be reduced.

The sample-container placing method according to the second aspect of the present invention for placing a sample container comprising a cell containing a sample and a cap in an integrator via a fixing member by a sample-container holding member which comprises a support portion and a container attaching portion provided at an end of the support portion in an axial direction, the container attaching portion comprises a housing portion and a holding portion, the sample-container placing method comprises a support portion fixing step of fixing the support portion to the fixing member, a container attaching step of attaching the sample container to the container attaching portion, and a container placing step of placing the sample container in the integrator, in which in the container attaching step, while the cap is contained in the housing portion, the sample container is held by making the holding portion have contact with at least three points on an outer of the cell.

In the sample-container placing method, the holding portion can reliably hold the cell, not the cap while the housing portion contains the cap. This makes it difficult for the cap to be detached when the sample container is attached/detached to/from the sample-container holding member, and leakage of the sample in the cell can be prevented. Therefore, a possibility that contamination in the integrator is caused by the leakage of the sample can be reduced.

In the sample-container placing method according to the present invention, in the container placing step, the sample container is placed in a state where a longitudinal direction of the cell is inclined to one side or another side of an optical axis direction relative to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the excitation light to be emitted to the cell. In this case, all or a part of the excitation light reflected by the cell can be prevented from returning toward the excitation light source.

In the sample-container placing method according to one aspect of the present invention, in the container attaching step, the sample container may be attached to the holding portion by being fitted into the holding portion. In this case, the sample container can be easily and detachably held.

The container attaching portion provided in the support portion may be replaced with another container attaching portion different from the container attaching portion. In this case, the sample containers having various shapes can be easily held.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a sample-container holding member and a light measurement device capable of reducing a possibility that leakage of a sample contaminates inside of an integrator.

In the following description, same or corresponding components are denoted with the same reference numeral, and overlapped description will be omitted.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a light measurement device according to one embodiment. <FIG> is a side sectional view of a main part of the light measurement device in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a light measurement device <NUM> according to the present embodiment measures or evaluates optical characteristics such as fluorescence characteristics of a sample <NUM> as a sample to be measured by a photoluminescence method (PL method). The sample <NUM> is, for example, a fluorescent sample such as an organic electroluminescence (EL) material or a luminescent material for a white light emitting diode (LED) or a flat panel display (FPD). As the sample <NUM>, for example, a powder, liquid, solid, or thin film-shaped sample can be used. Here, the sample <NUM> is a liquid sample in which a dye or the like is mainly dissolved, and is contained in a sample container <NUM>.

The sample container <NUM> includes a cell <NUM> and a cap (lid) <NUM>. The cell <NUM> is a container in which the sample <NUM> is placed. The cell <NUM> has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The cell <NUM> is formed of glass or the like. The cap <NUM> is detachably provided at an opening end of the cell <NUM>. The cap <NUM> seals the inside of the cell <NUM>. As the cap <NUM>, a cylindrical cap is used. An outer diameter of the cap <NUM> is larger than an outer diameter of the cell <NUM>. Such a sample container <NUM> is a general container for containing a sample. As the sample container <NUM>, a widely distributed general-purpose product can be used. The shape and the material of the sample container <NUM> are not particularly limited, and various known sample containers can be used. For example, instead of the cell <NUM> having a cylindrical outer shape, a cell having a prismatic outer shape or the like may be used.

As the optical characteristics, an absorption rate, an internal quantum efficiency (light emission quantum yield), and an external quantum efficiency can be exemplified The absorption rate is a parameter regarding the number of photons to be absorbed. The internal quantum efficiency is a parameter regarding a rate of the number of photons of light emitted by light emission relative to the number of photons of light to be absorbed. The external quantum efficiency is a parameter regarding the number of photons to be emitted. The external quantum efficiency is a product of the absorption rate and the internal quantum efficiency. The absorption rate has a front-back relationship with a reflectance which is a parameter regarding the number of photons to be reflected. The absorption rate is synonymous with "<NUM> - reflectance".

The light measurement device <NUM> includes an excitation light supply unit <NUM>, an integrator <NUM>, a spectroscopic detector (light detector) <NUM>, an analysis unit <NUM>, an input unit <NUM>, and a display <NUM>. The excitation light supply unit <NUM> supplies excitation light with a predetermined wavelength to the integrator <NUM>. The excitation light supply unit <NUM> includes an excitation light source (light generation unit) <NUM> and an incident light guide <NUM>. The excitation light supply unit <NUM>, the integrator <NUM>, and the spectroscopic detector <NUM> are optically connected to each other. The spectroscopic detector <NUM> and the analysis unit <NUM> are electrically connected to each other.

The excitation light source <NUM> is a light source for generating excitation light and includes, for example, a xenon lamp or a spectroscope. The wavelength of the excitation light generated by the excitation light source <NUM> may vary. The excitation light source <NUM> can variably set the wavelength of the excitation light within a wavelength range of, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>. The incident light guide <NUM> guides the excitation light generated by the excitation light source <NUM> to the integrator <NUM>. As the incident light guide <NUM>, for example, an optical fiber can be used.

The integrator <NUM> is an integrating sphere and has a hollow spherical shape. The integrator <NUM> is attached to a frame <NUM> with, for example, a mounting screw (not shown). An inner surface 20a of the integrator <NUM> is coated with a high-diffusion reflective substance such as barium sulfate or formed of a highly reflective material having a reflectance close to one such as PTFE or Spectralon (registered trademark). The integrator <NUM> has a sample introducing opening <NUM> for introducing the sample <NUM>. A fixing member <NUM> is inserted into and detachably attached to the sample introducing opening <NUM>. A sample-container holding member <NUM> is fixed to the fixing member <NUM>. The sample-container holding member <NUM> holds the sample container <NUM> in a state where the sample container <NUM> is placed in the integrator <NUM> (to be described in detail later).

In the integrator <NUM>, an incident opening <NUM> to which excitation light enters and an emission opening <NUM> through which measurement light is emitted are provided. An incident light guide holder <NUM> for connecting the incident light guide <NUM> to the integrator <NUM> is inserted into and attached to the incident opening <NUM>. The excitation light emitted from the incident light guide <NUM> is irradiated on the sample <NUM> in the integrator <NUM>.

In the integrator <NUM>, the excitation light entered from the incident opening <NUM> is multiply diffused and reflected. In the integrator <NUM>, generation light generated by the irradiation on the sample <NUM> with the excitation light is multiply diffused and reflected. Then, the measurement light including the excitation light and the generated light is emitted from the emission opening <NUM>. The measurement light emitted from the emission opening <NUM> is guided to the spectroscopic detector <NUM> in a subsequent stage via an emission light guide <NUM>. The center lines of the sample introducing opening <NUM>, the incident opening <NUM>, and the emission opening <NUM> pass through the center of the integrator <NUM> and are orthogonal to each other.

The spectroscopic detector <NUM> detects the measurement light. Wavelength spectrum data of the detected measurement light is output to the analysis unit <NUM> in the subsequent stage. As the spectroscopic detector <NUM>, for example, a back-thinned (BT)-CCD linear image sensor, a CMOS linear image sensor, or an InGaAs linear image sensor can be used. The analysis unit <NUM> analyzes detection result of the spectroscopic detector <NUM>. The analysis unit <NUM> is, for example, a computer. The analysis unit <NUM> includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) which is a processor, a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM) which is a recording medium, and the like. The analysis unit <NUM> operates by causing hardware such as the CPU and the RAM to read a program and the like. The analysis unit <NUM> causes the CPU to perform necessary data analysis on the wavelength spectrum data generated by the spectroscopic detector <NUM> and to obtain information on the sample <NUM>. The analysis unit <NUM> causes the CPU to read and write from/to the RAM. The analysis unit <NUM> may be a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcomputer, a smart device, or a cloud server. The input unit <NUM> and the display <NUM> are electrically connected to the analysis unit <NUM>. The input unit <NUM> is used to input an instruction regarding data analysis, input an analysis condition or a measurement condition, and the like. The input unit <NUM> is, for example, an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The display <NUM> is used to display the obtained data analysis result and the like. The display <NUM> is a display and the like.

<FIG> is a front view of the fixing member <NUM> and the sample-container holding member <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of the fixing member <NUM> and the sample-container holding member <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the divided fixing member <NUM> and sample-container holding member <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the light measurement device <NUM> includes the fixing member <NUM> and the sample-container holding member <NUM> including a support portion <NUM> and a container attaching portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the fixing member <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the fixing member <NUM> detachably attaches the sample-container holding member <NUM> to the integrator <NUM>. The fixing member <NUM> has a cylindrical shape having a central axis G0. The fixing member <NUM> is formed to be divided into two pieces in the circumferential direction and includes a first semi-cylindrical portion 72A and a second semi-cylindrical portion 72B. It is assumed that the first semi-cylindrical portion 72A and the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B have the same shape. The first semi-cylindrical portion 72A and the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B are butted with each other in a direction orthogonal to the central axis G0. A cap member <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) is attached to the first semi-cylindrical portion 72A and the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B which are butted with each other. As a result, the first semi-cylindrical portion 72A is fastened to and is integrated with the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B in the butting direction.

A groove 74A having a semicircular cross section and extending along the central axis G0 is formed in a butting surface 73A of the first semi-cylindrical portion 72A with the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B. A groove 74B having a semicircular cross section and extending along the central axis G0 is formed in a butting surface 73B of the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B with the first semi-cylindrical portion 72A. The grooves 74A and 74B form a cylindrical hole <NUM> of the fixing member <NUM> in a state where the first semi-cylindrical portion 72A and the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B are butted. The cylindrical hole <NUM> is a circular hole passing through the fixing member <NUM> along the central axis G0. An inner diameter of the cylindrical hole <NUM> corresponds to an outer diameter of a support column body <NUM> of the support portion <NUM> (to be described later).

One end of the groove 74A in the axial direction has a rectangular recess 76A having a rectangular cross section. A rectangular plate-shaped elastic member <NUM> formed of silicone resin and the like is bonded and fixed to a bottom surface of the rectangular recess 76A. Similarly, one end of the groove 74B in the axial direction has a rectangular recess 76B having a rectangular cross section. The elastic member <NUM> is bonded and fixed to a bottom surface of the rectangular recess 76B. The rectangular recesses 76A and 76B forms a rectangular hole <NUM> form at one end of the cylindrical hole <NUM> in a state where the first semi-cylindrical portion 72A and the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B are butted with each other. The rectangular hole <NUM> is a rectangular-shaped space formed by enlarging one end of the cylindrical hole <NUM>. The rectangular hole <NUM> has a shape corresponding to a prism portion <NUM> of the support portion <NUM> (to be described later).

On the butting surface 73A of the first semi-cylindrical portion 72A, a cylindrical projection 79A is provided. On the butting surface 73B of the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B, a cylindrical depression 79B is provided. In a state where the first semi-cylindrical portion 72A and the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B are butted with each other, the projection 79A is fitted into the depression 79B, and a positional misalignment of the first semi-cylindrical portion 72A and the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B is prevented.

In such a fixing member <NUM>, the support portion <NUM> of the sample-container holding member <NUM> is inserted into the cylindrical hole <NUM>. The first semi-cylindrical portion 72A and the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B which are butted and integrated with each other hold and sandwich the support portion <NUM>. With this arrangement, the fixing member <NUM> fixes the sample-container holding member <NUM>. The fixing member <NUM> is inserted into the sample introducing opening <NUM> of the integrator <NUM> so that the container attaching portion <NUM> of the sample-container holding member <NUM> is placed in the integrator <NUM>. In this state, the fixing member <NUM> is detachably fixed to a base 2a of the frame <NUM> with a screw and the like.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sample-container holding member <NUM> is detachably attached to the integrator <NUM> via the fixing member <NUM>. The sample-container holding member <NUM> holds the sample container <NUM> in a state where the sample container <NUM> is placed in the integrator <NUM>. Here, the sample-container holding member <NUM> makes the sample container <NUM> (sample <NUM>) be placed at the center in the integrator <NUM>. The sample-container holding member <NUM> is formed of an elastic material. The sample-container holding member <NUM> is formed of a material having a reflectance equal to or more than a certain value. For example, the sample-container holding member <NUM> is formed of Teflon (registered trademark) or Spectralon (registered trademark). The sample-container holding member <NUM> includes the support portion <NUM> fixed to the fixing member <NUM> and the container attaching portion <NUM> provided at a front end portion of the support portion <NUM> in the axial direction and placed in the integrator <NUM>. The support portion <NUM> and the container attaching portion <NUM> are separately formed.

<FIG> is a side view of the support portion <NUM> of the sample-container holding member <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the support portion <NUM> includes the columnar support column body <NUM> having a central axis G1. A prismatic-shaped prism portion <NUM> is formed between the center and the base end (left end in the drawings) of the support column body <NUM> in the axial direction.

The prism portion <NUM> is a rectangular-shaped portion formed by extending the support column body <NUM> outward in the radial direction. It is assumed that the prism portion <NUM> has a rectangular cross section orthogonal to the axial direction. The shape of the cross section of the prism portion <NUM> is a rectangle and corresponds to the shape of the cross section of the rectangular hole <NUM> of the fixing member <NUM>. The prism portion <NUM> abuts against an inner surface of the rectangular hole <NUM>. That is, the prism portion <NUM> is provided in a portion of the support portion <NUM> having contact with the fixing member <NUM>. The base end of the prism portion <NUM> is tapered to be inclined relative to the axial direction.

At a position of the support column body <NUM> close to the base end of the prism portion <NUM>, a columnar first large diameter portion <NUM> having a larger diameter than the support column body <NUM> is formed. At a front end portion of the support column body <NUM>, a columnar second large diameter portion <NUM> having a larger diameter than the support column body <NUM> is formed. A front end surface of the second large diameter portion <NUM> (front end portion of support portion <NUM>) is an inclined surface 86a inclined with respect to a surface perpendicular to the axial direction. A screw hole <NUM> into which a screw N (refer to <FIG>) for detachably fixing the container attaching portion <NUM> is formed in the inclined surface 86a.

A part of the support portion <NUM> between the first large diameter portion <NUM> and the second large diameter portion <NUM> is inserted into the cylindrical hole <NUM> of the fixing member <NUM>. In this state, the prism portion <NUM> is placed in (fitted into) the rectangular hole <NUM> of the fixing member <NUM> without a gap and has contact with and engaged with the inner surface of the rectangular hole <NUM>. With this structure, the support portion <NUM> is fixed to the fixing member <NUM> with the axial direction which is orthogonal to an optical axis direction K of the excitation light (refer to <FIG>). In the support portion <NUM>, the prism portion <NUM> has contact with the rectangular hole <NUM> to be positioned in a rotational direction around the axis, and displacement in the rotation direction is restricted.

<FIG> is a front view of the container attaching portion <NUM> of the sample-container holding member <NUM>. <FIG> is a bottom view of the container attaching portion <NUM> of the sample-container holding member <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line C-C in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the container attaching portion <NUM> is a portion where the sample container <NUM> is detachably attached. The container attaching portion <NUM> has a central axis G2. The container attaching portion <NUM> includes a housing portion <NUM> for housing the cap <NUM> and a holding portion <NUM> for detachably holding the cell <NUM>. The housing portion <NUM> forms a base end side of the container attaching portion <NUM>. The holding portion <NUM> forms a front end side of the container attaching portion <NUM>.

The housing portion <NUM> includes a base portion <NUM> and a side portion <NUM> erected on the base portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> define an accommodating space R accommodating the cap <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> has a disc-like shape having the central axis G2 as a base axis. An outer diameter of the base portion <NUM> is larger than an outer diameter of the cap <NUM>. One surface 90a of the base portion <NUM> faces a top surface 41a of the cap <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). On the surface 90a of the base portion <NUM>, a recess 92x having a circular cross section is formed. In the bottom surface of the recess 92x, a through-hole 92y passing through the base portion <NUM> to the other surface 90b of the base portion <NUM> is formed.

The side portion <NUM> is provided (erected) to stand on a part of the outer peripheral portion of the surface 90a of the base portion <NUM> along the central axis G2. Specifically, when it is assumed that a side of the container attaching portion <NUM> placed in the integrator <NUM> where the excitation light enters be referred to as "light incident side", the side portion <NUM> is provided to be projected from a part of the side opposite to the light incident side of the surface 90a. The outer side surface (opposite to the light incident side) of the side portion <NUM> is a curved surface along the shape of the base portion <NUM>. A recess 91a having a rectangular cross section is formed in the inner surface (light incident side) of the side portion <NUM>. The recess 91a forms a gap C (refer to <FIG>) between the recess 91a and the cap <NUM> so as not to have contact with the contained cap <NUM>.

The holding portion <NUM> is continuously provided to the front end portion of the side portion <NUM>. The holding portion <NUM> has a tubular shape of which the light incident side is notched. The holding portion <NUM> includes a pair of arms <NUM> which is curved so as to surround the central axis G2. An inner surface <NUM> of each of the pair of arms <NUM> has a C-shaped cross section orthogonal to the central axis G2. That is, the holding portion <NUM> has the inner surface <NUM> having a C-shaped cross section orthogonal to the central axis G2. The C-shape of the inner surface <NUM> is opened toward the light incident side. The inner surface <NUM> is a curved surface corresponding to an outer peripheral surface (outer surface) of the cell <NUM>. Here, the inner diameter of the inner surface <NUM> is smaller than the outer diameter of the cell <NUM>.

The holding portion <NUM> holds the sample container <NUM> by having contact with at least three points on the outer peripheral surface of the cell <NUM>. Specifically, the holding portion <NUM> brings the inner surface <NUM> into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cell <NUM> and holds the sample container <NUM> in a state where the central axis G2 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the cell <NUM>. In other words, the C-shaped inner surface <NUM> of the holding portion <NUM> is engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the cell <NUM>. The holding portion <NUM> clamps the outer peripheral surface of the cell <NUM> with the pair of arms <NUM>. The holding portion <NUM> holds the cell <NUM> while bringing the inner surface <NUM> into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cell <NUM>.

On the inner surface <NUM>, a groove <NUM> extending along the central axis G2 is formed. The groove <NUM> extends in a direction perpendicular to (intersecting with) the C-shaped cross section of the inner surface <NUM>. The groove <NUM> is a U-shaped groove having a U-shaped cross section. The groove <NUM> is provided at the center position of the C shape of the inner surface <NUM>. The groove <NUM> extends along the central axis G2 in the central portion of the inner surface <NUM> as viewed from the light incident side. The groove <NUM> is arranged at a position where the pair of arms <NUM> has a symmetrical structure via the groove <NUM>.

In such a container attaching portion <NUM>, the surface 90b of the base portion <NUM> has contact with the inclined surface 86a of the support portion <NUM> so that the through-hole 92y of the base portion <NUM> communicates with the screw hole <NUM> of the support portion <NUM>. In this state, a screw is inserted into the through-hole 92y and the screw hole <NUM>, and the base portion <NUM> is fixed to the support portion <NUM>. With this structure, the container attaching portion <NUM> is detachably fixed to the front end portion of the support portion <NUM> as the central axis G2 is inclined to the light incident side relative to the central axis G1 of the support portion <NUM>. That is, the central axis G2 is inclined to the light incident side relative to the central axis G1 as separating from the support portion <NUM>. The holding portion <NUM> holds the sample container <NUM> in a state where the longitudinal direction of the cell <NUM> is inclined to one side or another side of the optical axis direction K relative to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction K of the excitation light.

In a sample-container placing method for placing the sample container <NUM> in the integrator <NUM> via the fixing member <NUM> by the sample-container holding member <NUM> described above, first, the support portion <NUM> is fixed to the fixing member <NUM> (support portion fixing step). The sample container <NUM> is attached to the container attaching portion <NUM> (container attaching step). The fixing member <NUM> is fixed to the frame <NUM>, and the sample container <NUM> is placed in the integrator <NUM> (container placing step). At this time, as described above, the sample container <NUM> is placed in the integrator <NUM> in a state where the longitudinal direction of the cell <NUM> is inclined to the light incident side relative to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction K of the excitation light.

<FIG> is a diagram for explaining a case where the sample container <NUM> is held by the sample-container holding member <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram of a continuation of <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along a line D-D in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in a case where the sample container <NUM> is held by the sample-container holding member <NUM> (that is, in container attaching step), first, the sample container <NUM> is positioned on the light incident side of the container attaching portion <NUM> (opening side of C-shape of inner surface <NUM>) while making the longitudinal direction which is the axial direction of the cell <NUM> be parallel to the central axis G2 of the container attaching portion <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). At this time, the cap <NUM> faces the accommodating space R of the housing portion <NUM>, and the cell <NUM> faces the holding portion <NUM>.

Subsequently, the sample container <NUM> is pressed against the container attaching portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the pair of arms <NUM> of the holding portion <NUM> is elastically bent outward, and the cell <NUM> enters the inner surface <NUM> while opening the C-shaped opening of the inner surface <NUM>. As a result, the inner surface <NUM> has contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cell <NUM>, and the cell <NUM> of the sample container <NUM> is held by the holding portion <NUM>. In other words, at least three points on the outer surface of the cell <NUM> have contact with the holding portion <NUM>, and the sample container <NUM> is held. With this operation, the cap <NUM> is accommodated in the accommodating space R of the housing portion <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the gap C is formed between the side surface of the contained cap <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> of the housing portion <NUM>. A gap C2 is formed between a top surface 42a of the contained cap <NUM> and the base portion <NUM> of the housing portion <NUM>. As described above, the sample container <NUM> is detachably fitted into and attached to the container attaching portion <NUM>.

As described above, in the sample-container holding member <NUM>, the holding portion <NUM> can surely hold the cell <NUM>, not the cap <NUM>, while housing the cap <NUM> in the housing portion <NUM>. This makes it difficult for the cap <NUM> to be detached when the sample container <NUM> is attached/detached to/from the sample-container holding member <NUM>, and leakage of the sample <NUM> in the cell <NUM> can be prevented. Therefore, a possibility that contamination in the integrator <NUM> is caused by the leakage of the sample <NUM> can be reduced.

In addition, according to the sample-container holding member <NUM>, even a general sample container <NUM> including a cell <NUM> and a cap <NUM> can be easily placed in the integrator <NUM>. Since such a sample container <NUM> is inexpensive, user's convenience can be enhanced Even when the general sample container <NUM> is used, the sample container <NUM> is easily used and can perform measurement with high accuracy. It is possible to provide the light measurement device <NUM> to a broader user.

Furthermore, by holding the sample container <NUM> by having contact with at least three points on the outer surface of the cell <NUM>, the sample-container holding member <NUM> can maintain reproducibility of placing the sample container <NUM> in the integrator <NUM>. Even when the plurality of sample container <NUM> is attached/detached to/from the sample-container holding member <NUM>, all the sample containers <NUM> can be placed at the same angle (inclination state). Therefore, measurement accuracy of the light measurement device <NUM> can be improved.

In the sample-container holding member <NUM>, the holding portion <NUM> holds the sample container <NUM> in a state where the longitudinal direction of the cell <NUM> is inclined to the light incident side (one side or other side in optical axis direction K) relative to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction K of the excitation light. With this structure, the following effects are obtained. That is, all or a part of the excitation light reflected by the cell <NUM> can be prevented from returning toward the excitation light source <NUM> (incident opening <NUM>). In a case where the cell <NUM> is inclined to a direction other than the optical axis direction K and is held, there is a possibility that the cell <NUM> is not irradiated with the excitation light. Therefore, the cell <NUM> can be reliably irradiated with the excitation light.

In the sample-container holding member <NUM>, at least a part of a contact portion of the support portion <NUM> with the fixing member <NUM>, the prism portion <NUM> having a prismatic shape is formed. With this structure, rotation of the sample-container holding member <NUM> relative to the fixing member <NUM> in the rotational direction around the central axis G1 can be prevented. The angle of the sample container <NUM> in the rotational direction does not change.

Particularly, since the prism portion <NUM> has a rectangular cross section, when the support portion <NUM> is assembled to the fixing member <NUM>, for example, if the rotational position of the support portion <NUM> is wrongly shifted from the correct rotational position by <NUM>°, the support portion <NUM> cannot be assembled to the fixing member <NUM>. The support portion <NUM> can be easily positioned in the rotational direction. Therefore, to assemble the support portion <NUM> to a wrong rotational position can be prevented.

In the sample-container holding member <NUM>, the holding portion <NUM> has the inner surface <NUM> having a C-shaped cross section, and the inner surface <NUM> has contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cell <NUM> to hold the sample container <NUM>. With this structure, the cell <NUM> of the sample container <NUM> can be held by being fitted into the holding portion <NUM>. That is, the sample container <NUM> can be easily and detachably held.

The sample-container holding member <NUM> is formed of an elastic material. That is, the holding portion <NUM> is formed of an elastic material. In this structure, when the sample container <NUM> is attached/detached to/from the sample-container holding member <NUM>, the C-shaped opening of the holding portion <NUM> can be opened by using elasticity of the elastic material. The sample container <NUM> can be more easily held.

In the sample-container holding member <NUM>, the inner diameter of the C-shaped inner surface <NUM> of the holding portion <NUM> is smaller than the outer diameter of the cell <NUM>. In this structure, when the cell <NUM> is held by the holding portion <NUM>, a force to close the C-shape of the holding portion <NUM> can be applied (apply force to cell <NUM> to inner side of radial direction) by using the elasticity of the elastic material. With this structure, the sample container <NUM> can be more reliably held.

In the sample-container holding member <NUM>, the groove <NUM> is formed in the C-shaped inner surface <NUM> of the holding portion <NUM>. When the sample container <NUM> is attached/detached to/from the sample-container holding member <NUM>, the C-shaped opening of the holding portion can be easily opened by the groove <NUM>. Furthermore, the cell <NUM> can be positioned with reference to the groove <NUM>.

In the sample-container holding member <NUM>, the support portion <NUM> and the container attaching portion <NUM> are separately formed. The container attaching portion <NUM> is detachably fixed to the front end portion of the support portion <NUM>. In this structure, the container attaching portion <NUM> fixed to the support portion <NUM> can be replaced, for example, according to the shape of the sample container <NUM>. The sample containers <NUM> having various shapes can be easily held.

In the sample-container holding member <NUM>, the housing portion <NUM> includes the base portion <NUM> facing the top surface 42a of the cap <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> erected on the base portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> and the side portion <NUM> define the accommodating space R. The recess 91a is formed in the side portion <NUM>. The gap C is formed between the cap <NUM> accommodated in the accommodating space and the side portion <NUM>. With this structure, when the sample container <NUM> is attached/detached to/from the sample-container holding member <NUM>, a specific structure can be made so that the cap <NUM> does not have contact with the sample-container holding member <NUM>, and it can be more difficult to remove the cap <NUM>. Misalignment of the cell <NUM> held by the holding portion <NUM> caused by interference between the cap <NUM> and the housing portion <NUM> can be prevented.

Since the light measurement device <NUM> includes the sample-container holding member <NUM>, the action effect obtained by the sample-container holding member <NUM>, that is, the effect of reducing the possibility of contamination in the integrator <NUM> caused by the leakage of the sample <NUM> can be obtained.

In the sample-container placing method, the holding portion <NUM> can reliably hold the cell <NUM>, not the cap <NUM> while the housing portion <NUM> contains the cap <NUM>. This makes it difficult for the cap <NUM> to be detached when the sample container <NUM> is attached/detached to/from the sample-container holding member <NUM>, and leakage of the sample <NUM> in the cell <NUM> can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to reduce possibility that the leakage of the sample <NUM> contaminates the inside of the integrator <NUM>.

In the sample-container placing method, the sample container <NUM> is placed in a state where the longitudinal direction of the cell <NUM> is inclined to the light incident side (one side or the other side in optical axis direction K) relative to the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction K of the excitation light to be emitted to the cell <NUM>. With this placement, all or a part of the excitation light reflected by the cell <NUM> can be prevented from returning toward the excitation light source <NUM>. In a case where the cell <NUM> is placed as being inclined to the direction other than the optical axis direction K, there is a possibility that the cell <NUM> is not irradiated with the excitation light. Therefore, with this sample-container placing method, the cell <NUM> can be reliably irradiated with the excitation light.

In the sample-container placing method, the sample container <NUM> is attached to the holding portion <NUM> by being fitted into the holding portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the sample container <NUM> can be easily and detachably held.

The elastic member <NUM> is provided in the rectangular hole <NUM> of the fixing member <NUM>. With this structure, the support column body <NUM> of the support portion <NUM> of the sample-container holding member <NUM> is pressed and held by the elastic member <NUM>. It is possible to reliably fix the sample-container holding member <NUM> to the fixing member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a sample-container holding member 80A according to a modification. As illustrated in <FIG>, the sample-container holding member 80A includes a tubular light shielding portion <NUM>. The light shielding portion <NUM> is placed outside the housing portion <NUM>. The light shielding portion <NUM> is provided so as to surround the cap <NUM> contained in the housing portion <NUM>. The light shielding portion <NUM> shields the cap <NUM> from the excitation light to be irradiated. The light shielding portion <NUM> is formed of a material having light shielding property relative to the excitation light. For example, the light shielding portion <NUM> is formed of a material different from the cell <NUM> (for example, resin). Furthermore, for example, the light shielding portion <NUM> may be coated with a high-diffusion reflective substance such as barium sulfate which is the same material as the inner surface of the integrator <NUM>.

In the sample-container holding member 80A, the cap <NUM> of the sample container <NUM> held by the holding portion <NUM> is covered with the light shielding portion <NUM> so that absorption of the excitation light by the cap <NUM> can be prevented. Measurement errors of the spectroscopic detector <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) can be reduced. The influence of the absorption of the excitation light by the cap <NUM> on the measurement accuracy can be reduced.

Note that, for example, the light shielding portion <NUM> may be detachably fixed to the container attaching portion <NUM>. Furthermore, for example, the light shielding portion <NUM> may be formed to move along the central axis G1. In this case, the light shielding portion <NUM> is moved to a position where the light shielding portion <NUM> covers the cap <NUM> after the sample container <NUM> has been attached to the container attaching portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of a sample-container holding member 80B according to a modification. <FIG> is a side view of a sample-container holding member 80C according to a modification. As described above, since the container attaching portion <NUM> is detachably fixed to the end of the support portion <NUM>, the container attaching portion <NUM> can be replaced with various container attaching portions. For example, the sample-container holding member includes a plurality of kinds of container attaching portions <NUM> including the holding portions <NUM> having various shapes, and any one of the container attaching portions <NUM> according to the sample container <NUM> may be attached to the support portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in a case where another sample container which is larger than the sample container <NUM> is held, the sample-container holding member 80B may be employed. In the sample-container holding member 80B, a container attaching portion 82B of which dimensions are larger than those of the container attaching portion <NUM> is fixed to the end of the support portion <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in a case where another sample container which is smaller than the sample container <NUM> is held, the sample-container holding member 80C may be employed. In the sample-container holding member 80C, a container attaching portion 82C of which dimensions are smaller than those of the container attaching portion <NUM> is fixed to the end of the support portion <NUM>. In a case where a sample container having a prismatic cell is held, a container attaching portion of which an inner surface of a holding portion corresponds to the outer surface of the cell may be fixed to the end of the support portion <NUM>.

That is, the light measurement device and the sample-container holding member include a plurality of container attaching portions including a plurality of holding portions having different shapes from each other, and the container attaching portion fixed to the end of the support portion <NUM> may be replaced with any one of the plurality of container attaching portions. The container attaching portion <NUM> provided in the support portion <NUM> may be replaced with another container attaching portion different from the container attaching portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the sample containers <NUM> having various shapes can be easily held.

<FIG> is a side sectional view of a light measurement device <NUM> according to a reference example in a case where another sample container <NUM> is directly attached to the integrator <NUM> with the fixing member <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the light measurement device <NUM>, it is not necessary to use the sample-container holding member <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) by employing the sample container <NUM>. That is, the fixing member <NUM> can directly attach the sample container <NUM> to the integrator <NUM> without having the sample container holding member <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) therebetween.

The sample container <NUM> is a unique optical cell corresponding to the fixing member <NUM>. The sample container <NUM> is formed of quartz or synthetic quartz. The sample container <NUM> includes a square pillar-shaped hollow cell main body 97a in which the sample <NUM> is stored and a rod-like branch pipe 97b extending in a tubular shape from the cell main body 97a. The branch pipe 97b of the sample container <NUM> is inserted into and fixed to the cylindrical hole <NUM> of the fixing member <NUM>. The branch pipe 97b is sandwiched and held between the first semi-cylindrical portion 72A and the second semi-cylindrical portion 72B as being pressed by the elastic member <NUM>. Accordingly, the fixing member <NUM> holds the sample container <NUM> in a state where the cell main body 97a containing the sample <NUM> is placed in the integrator <NUM>.

That is, the light measurement device may further include the sample container <NUM>. In this case, by using the sample container <NUM>, the light measurement device can perform measurement with high accuracy and can use ultraviolet light as excitation light. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately select the use of the sample-container holding member <NUM> and the use of the sample container <NUM>, and measurement according to accuracy or conditions can be performed.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

In the embodiment, the structure of the housing portion <NUM> and the holding portion <NUM> is a structure in which the sample container <NUM> is engaged from the light incident side. However, the structure is not limited to this. For example, the structure of the housing portion <NUM> and the holding portion <NUM> may be a structure in which the sample container <NUM> (C-shaped opening side) is engaged to the side opposite to the light incident side and may be a structure in which the sample container <NUM> is engaged from a direction other than that.

In the embodiment, the cell <NUM> of the sample container <NUM> is formed of glass. However, the cell <NUM> may be formed of quartz. In the embodiment, the holding portion <NUM> holds the sample container <NUM> in a state where the longitudinal direction of the cell <NUM> is inclined to the light incident side relative to the central axis G1. However, the holding portion <NUM> may hold the sample container <NUM> in a state where the longitudinal direction of the cell <NUM> is inclined to the other side of the light incident side relative to the central axis G1.

Claim 1:
A light measurement device (<NUM>) configured to measure measurement light generated by irradiating a sample with excitation light, the light measurement device (<NUM>) comprising:
a sample-container holding member (<NUM>, 80A, 80B, 80C) detachably attached to an integrator (<NUM>) via a fixing member (<NUM>) and holding a sample container (<NUM>) comprising a cell (<NUM>) containing a sample and a cap (<NUM>) in a state where the sample container (<NUM>) is placed in the integrator (<NUM>), the sample-container holding member (<NUM>, 80A, 80B, 80C) comprising:
a support portion (<NUM>) developing along an axial direction (G1), the support portion (<NUM>) being fixed to the fixing member (<NUM>); and
a container attaching portion (<NUM>) having a central axis (G2) and provided at an end of the support portion (<NUM>) in the axial direction (G1) with the central axis (G2) inclined to the axial direction (G1), and to which the sample container (<NUM>) is attached, wherein the container attaching portion (<NUM>) comprises:
a housing portion (<NUM>) housing the cap (<NUM>); and
a holding portion (<NUM>) formed of an elastic material, the holding portion (<NUM>) having contact with at least three points on an outer surface of the cell (<NUM>) and holding the sample container (<NUM>);
the light measurement device (<NUM>) further comprising
a light generation unit (<NUM>) configured to generate the excitation light along an optical axis (K),
the integrator (<NUM>) in which the sample container (<NUM>) is placed, the integrator (<NUM>) directing the excitation light to the cell (<NUM>) along the optical axis direction (K); wherein
the holding portion (<NUM>) holds the sample container (<NUM>) in a state where a longitudinal direction of the cell (<NUM>) is along the central axis (G2) and inclined to one side or another side in the optical axis direction relative to a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction (K).