Patent ID: 7483135

Claim:
A spectrometer comprising: a) sample mount; b) an objective lens imaging the sample mount; c) a single astigmatic lens configured to optically operate with the objective lens so as to deliver the image of the sample mount along first and second focal planes having spaced focal points; d) an elongated first aperture situated to receive a first image of the sample mount so as to operate the spectrometer in a confocal configuration, the first aperture being: 1) oriented along the first focal plane, and 2) being situated at least substantially coincident with the focal point of the first focal plane, wherein the first aperture is further adapted so that it does not operate in the confocal configuration by either moving the aperture away from the focal point of the first focal plane or by adjusting a moveably configured aperture width of the first aperture oriented perpendicular to its aperture length, e) an elongated second aperture: 1) oriented along the second focal plane, and 2) being situated at least substantially coincident with the focal point of the second focal plane, the second aperture receiving a second image of the sample mount; f) a monochromator configured to receive a desired image of at least the second aperture.