Patent ID: 6930813

Claim:
A system which generates an electromagnetic beam and causes it to impinge upon a sample system (SS), said system comprising, prior to said sample system (SS), at least one spatial filter (SF) which serves to attenuate an outer annular region from said electromagnetic beam as it passes therethrough; said system being further characterized by a selection from the group consisting of: a) said at least one spatial filter (SF) is positioned prior to a beam directing reflecting means (PRI) for directing said electromagnetic beam, wherein said reflecting means (PRI) directs said electromagnetic beam toward said sample system (SS) along a pathway which is other than substantially direct from a source (LS) of said electromagnetic beam to said sample system (SS); and b) said electromagnetic beam is provided to said sample system (SS) through said at least one spatial filter (SF) along a substantially direct pathway from a source (LS) of said electromagnetic beam to said sample system (SS).