Patent ID: 7321424

Claim:
A self-referencing instrument for measuring properties of electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a source of the electromagnetic radiation; a mounting member to which a sample can be coupled, the mounting member moving the sample such that, in a first position, the electromagnetic radiation impinges on the sample, and, in a second position, the electromagnetic radiation passes through an opening of the mounting member, such that the electromagnetic radiation does not impinge on the sample; a detection unit for receiving the electromagnetic radiation and generating signals therefrom, the detection unit receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the sample and generating a sample signal when the sample is in the first position, and the detection unit receiving the electromagnetic radiation from the source and generating a reference signal when the sample is in the second position; and a processor coupled to the detection unit for processing the reference signal and the sample signal; wherein the mounting member can move the sample between the first and second positions such that multiple reference signals can be generated to correspond with multiple sample signals; wherein, when the sample is in the first position, the electromagnetic radiation received by the detection unit is transmitted through the sample; and wherein, when the sample is in the first position, the electromagnetic radiation received by the detection unit is reflected from the sample.