Patent ID: 7460229

Claim:
A spectrometer comprising: a) sample stage whereupon a sample to be analyzed may be situated; b) a spectrograph including a spectrograph entrance aperture and a detector; c) one or more optical elements through which light is delivered into the spectrograph entrance aperture to be received by the detector; d) a return light source emitting a spectrometer alignment light signal through the spectrograph entrance aperture and to the one or more optical elements; e) a stage light sensor at or adjacent to the sample stage, the stage light sensor receiving the spectrometer alignment light signal from the one or more optical elements, wherein the stage light sensor emits a stage light sensor output signal in response to receipt of the spectrometer alignment light signal; and f) a control system receiving the stage light sensor output signal so as to reposition the stage light sensor and the sample stage in response thereto, wherein the sample stage is repositioned along one or more planes oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the direction along which the spectrometer alignment light signal travels to reach the stage light sensor.