Patent ID: 7554662

Claim:
A system for investigating samples with electromagnetic radiation having an equivalent to a spatial filter integrated therewithin, comprising: a) a source of electromagnetic radiation; b) a first aperture; c) a stage for supporting a sample; d) a focusing means; e) a second aperture, said second aperture having a hole therethrough with an aspect ratio other than unity; f) an optical fiber; and d) a detector; such that in use said source of electromagnetic radiation provides a beam of electromagnetic radiation, at least some of which passes through said first aperture and proceeds to interact with a sample placed on said stage for supporting a sample, said beam, after interaction with said sample being caused to be focused by said focusing means and pass through said second aperture, then enter said optical fiber, which directs it into said detector; said integrated equivalent to a spatial filter comprising said first aperture, said focusing means, said second aperture and said optical fiber, said elements being relatively positioned with respect to one another such that said focusing means images electromagnetic radiation passing through said first aperture, at the location of said second aperture, and such that at least some of said imaged electromagnetic radiation passing through said second aperture enters said optical fiber.