Patent ID: 8189199

Claim:
A dual-mode spectrophotometer for measuring an optical property of a sample, comprising: a first pedestal surface coupled to a first optical conduit having a transmitting end; a base plate; a second pedestal surface mechanically coupled to said base plate and configured to receive a first liquid sample, said second pedestal surface being coupled to a second optical conduit having a receiving end, wherein said second pedestal surface is further operable so as to adjust a separation between said first and said second pedestal surfaces at a variable distance (P) to pull said first liquid sample into a column so as to be contained by surface tension, thereby providing an optical path with said transmitting end of said first optical conduit and said receiving end of said second optical conduit for photometric or spectrometric measurement; a vessel holder configured with a recessed guide means, said vessel holder configured to be removably coupled to said base plate; and a sample vessel configured to be resiliently secured within said recessed guide means, said sample vessel having a second liquid sample therein and configured with at least two window means therein, thereby also providing an optical path for photometric or spectrometric measurement.