Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy for gemstone identification

Abstract

The systems and methods herein can be used to capture and analyze spectrometer data for multiple sample gemstones on a stage, including mapping digital camera image data of the samples in both reflection and transmission modes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 058,385, filed on July 29, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The field of this application includes systems and methods for ultraviolet - visible absorption spectroscopy for gemstone identification.

Background Art

[0003] The proper and accurate identification of gemstones is useful for properly analyzing and evaluating gemstones. Previously, there were no commercially available instruments for measuring translucent samples for diamonds, colored stones, and pearls, and there was no dedicated method for measuring mounted stones in such a way because the system could not support rings, necklaces, or other mounts. As a result, mounted jewelry was disassembled for analysis. Furthermore, it was difficult to modify legacy hardware to add more features such as, but not limited to, fluorescence measurement, phosphorescence measurement, and time - resolved measurement.

[0004] There is a need for an accurate and usable automated system that enables efficient testing in a variety of situations for multiple test scenarios.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The systems and methods described herein can be used for reflectance spectrometer analysis, and the system includes a spectrometer, a first light source, and a computer having a processor and memory for communicating with the second light source, and a reflectance subsystem having branched reflectance subsystem fibers having probe ends, the probe ends being mounted on a reflectance subsystem frame configured to allow the reflectance subsystem probe ends to move up and down on a reflectance subsystem stage, and in some examples, the first branched reflectance subsystem fiber of the branched reflectance subsystem fibers communicates with the light source, and the second branched reflectance subsystem fiber of the branched reflectance subsystem fibers communicates with the spectrometer. In some examples, the first and second branched reflectance subsystem fibers have a diameter of about 600 microns and are spaced 0.7 mm to 1.2 mm apart from the centers of each of the first and second branched reflectance subsystem fibers. In some examples, the reflectance subsystem stage is an evaporating dish configured to hold liquid nitrogen and a sample. In some examples, the reflectance subsystem stage is made of Teflon®. In some examples, the system includes a mounting base having a base and an arm configured to receive mounted jewelry, the arm being made of a reflective material. In some examples, the first and second branched fibers of the branched fiber each have a core diameter of 600 microns or more. In some examples, the jewelry mounting base is made of aluminum or Teflon®. In some examples, the reflective light source has a wavelength of 190 nm to 2500 nm. In some examples, the reflective light source is either deuterium and / or tungsten halogen. In some examples, the reflective light source is a short-wavelength ultraviolet light-emitting diode configured to emit a dominant wavelength of approximately 254 nm, or a long-wavelength ultraviolet light-emitting diode configured to emit a dominant wavelength of approximately 365 nm, or a filtered deuterium lamp configured to emit wavelengths of 250 nm to 370 nm. It has a wavelength of 200 nm to 400 nm for fluorescence analysis.

[0006] The systems and methods described herein may be used to analyze a sample using reflectance spectrometer analysis with a computer having a spectrometer, a first light source, and a processor and memory that communicate with the second light source, to transmit an optical signal from the light source via an excitation fiber to a probe end mounted on a subsystem frame and configured to move up and down on a sample stage, to turn off the optical signal, to receive a response signal from the sample on the sample stage via a collection fiber to the spectrometer, and to display a fluorescence graph of the received response signal. In some examples, calibration is performed by setting the integration time and average number in software running on the computer before transmitting the first optical signal, performing a dark and measurement, placing the sample under the reflectance probe, and measuring the signal. In some examples, the light source is a light-emitting diode light source capable of emitting wavelengths of 265 nm and 365 nm. In some examples, the excitation fiber and collection fiber each have a core diameter of 600 microns or more. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] For a better understanding of the embodiments described in this application, the following detailed description should be referred to in conjunction with the following drawings, and the same reference numerals throughout the drawings refer to the corresponding parts.

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary spectroscopic system according to a particular embodiment described herein.

[0009] [Figure 2] This is another diagram of an exemplary spectroscopic system according to a particular embodiment described herein.

[0010] [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary fiber arrangement according to a particular embodiment described herein.

[0011] [Figure 4] This is a diagram of an exemplary spectroscopic holder according to a particular embodiment described herein.

[0012] [Figure 5] It is a diagram of an exemplary chart calculated according to the specific embodiments described in this specification. [Figure 5-1] Continuation of Figure 5.

[0013] [Figure 6] It is a diagram of an exemplary chart calculated according to the specific embodiments described in this specification. [Figure 6-1] Continuation of Figure 6.

[0014] [Figure 7] It is a diagram of an exemplary chart calculated according to the specific embodiments described in this specification. [Figure 7-1] Continuation of Figure 7.

[0015] [Figure 8] It is a diagram of an exemplary chart calculated according to the specific embodiments described in this specification.

[0016] [Figure 9] It is a diagram of an exemplary chart calculated according to the specific embodiments described in this specification.

[0017] [Figure 10] It is a diagram of an exemplary chart calculated according to the specific embodiments described in this specification.

[0018] [Figure 11] It is a diagram of an exemplary chart calculated according to the specific embodiments described in this specification. [Figure 11-1] Continuation of Figure 11. [Figure 11-2] Continuation of Figure 11-1.

[0019] [Figure 12] It is a diagram of an exemplary chart calculated according to the specific embodiments described in this specification. [Figure 12-1] Continuation of Figure 12. [Figure 12-2] Continuation of Figure 12-1. [Figure 12-3] Continuation of Figure 12-2. [Figure 12-4] Continuation of Figure 12-3. [Figure 12-5] Continuation of Figure 12-4.

[0020] [Figure 13] This is another diagram of an exemplary spectroscopic system according to a particular embodiment described herein. [Figure 13-1] Continuation of Figure 13.

[0021] [Figure 14] This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary networked system according to a particular embodiment described herein.

[0022] [Figure 15] This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system according to a particular embodiment described herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Herein, embodiments are given in detail, and examples are shown in the accompanying drawings. The following detailed description includes numerous specific details to provide a full understanding of the subject matter presented herein. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject matter can be carried out without these specific details. Furthermore, the specific embodiments described herein are provided as examples and should not be used to limit the scope of any particular embodiment. In other examples, well-known data structures, timing protocols, software operations, procedures, and components are not described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the aspects of the embodiments herein.

[0024] overview

[0025] The systems and methods described herein may be used to measure the reflection mode absorption of translucent gemstones and pearls, as well as to measure the absorption spectra of mounted gemstones and diamonds.

[0026] The systems described herein include dedicated ultraviolet (UV) / visible light (Vis) spectrometers with capabilities specifically tailored to the diamond, gemstone, and pearl industries for research, identification, classification, and / or grading purposes. Such systems can provide multiple capabilities in a single unit that enable UV / Vis absorption spectroscopy to be used in these industries, as described below.

[0027] The UV / Vis spectrometers described herein may enable the measurement of translucent samples (opaque gemstones and pearls) and may include the use of a reflection collection geometry that enables the measurement of mounted samples using a custom-designed sample mounting stage. Some exemplary embodiments include having the ability to measure diamond at liquid nitrogen temperature, the ability to measure the fluorescence and phosphorescence of diamond and gemstones in fiber-coupled reflection mode, and the ability to measure the time evolution of absorption due to thermal and optical perturbations.

[0028] The systems and methods described herein can include the analysis of several gemstones, such as diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. The systems can utilize absorption spectra from 250 nm to 1000 nm with measurement times of less than 10 seconds. Using the systems described herein, there are no size limitations for analyzing stone samples, and both loose and mounted stones can be easily and quickly analyzed.

[0029] Reflective probe for measuring diamonds / colored gemstones / pearls

[0030] Reflective probes can provide a simpler and easier method for measuring small colored gemstones (melee), larger / darker colored gemstones (mounted or unmounted), translucent gemstones, diamonds (small and large, mounted or unmounted), and / or pearls.

[0031] The absorption spectra of pearls can be used for grading / classification / quality measurement, for example, for body color, hue, and / or luster. However, standard transmission-mode UV / Vis spectrometers may not be able to collect the absorption spectra of pearls due to their opacity / translucency. The systems and methods described herein can be implemented to reliably collect absorption spectra using reflection-mode absorption spectroscopy and to avoid the problems associated with collecting UV / Vis spectra. In such cases, a large portion of the incident light may be specularly reflected by the surface of the pearl or translucent stone, thus overwhelming the signal at the detector and potentially resulting in a small absorption spectrum. In such cases, the absorption spectra of these samples can be collected by placing the fiber on the surface of the sample, using a branched fiber with two fiber lines having a core size of 600 μm, one of which transmits light to the sample and the other returns light to the spectrometer / detector, with a distance between the centers of the two fiber cores being 0.7–1.2 mm, as shown in Figure 1. This method allows for the physical blocking of specular reflection from the surface by placing the fiber on the surface of the sample, and enables the collection of light that has been transmitted through the surface and scattered onto the surface by diffuse reflection. This configuration may increase the ratio of diffuse reflection to specular reflection, allowing for the observation of important absorption features.

[0032] In such cases, the arrangement and size of the fibers can affect the functionality of the system. In some cases, physically positioning the collection fiber apart from the excitation fiber can minimize the contribution of specular reflection to the absorption spectrum, thus improving the absorption contrast.

[0033] Such a configuration may be useful for stones such as jade and pearls that have stronger surface reflectivity. In such cases, the collecting fiber can physically block specular reflection while collecting light reflected back from within the stone, because the fiber is very close to (or in contact with) the surface of the stone. This may affect the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0034] Figure 1 shows an example of a spectrometer probe 102 in reflection mode on a melee or loose gemstone 110. In some examples, a flat evaporating dish 120 may be used to hold liquid nitrogen. In such examples, the loose gemstone 110 can be lowered into the dish 120 and the liquid nitrogen can be filled up to just below the culet. In some examples, instead of or in addition to the evaporating dish 120, a Teflon® or similar stage may be used to hold the sample gemstone. The probe 102 may be mounted on a frame 130 that is movable up and down 132. The probe 130 may communicate with a light source 134 and a spectrometer 136 to obtain the absorption graph described herein. In such examples, the probe may send light downward 124 through the sample gemstone 110, and the light may be reflected upward 125 from the Teflon® surface 120 and returned through the sample gemstone 110.

[0035] In some examples, the light source 134 used to excite the stone may have a wavelength range of 190–2500 nm. Such light may have a light source lifetime of approximately 1,000 hours and a nominal bulb output of 26 W for deuterium and 20 W for tungsten halogen. In some examples, this may be Ocean Insight:DH-2000-BAL. Another exemplary light source 134 may include, but is not limited to, one having a wavelength range of 360–2400 nm. Such an example may have a light source lifetime of 10,000 hours and a nominal bulb output of 4.75 W for tungsten halogen, for example. Such an example may be Ocean Insight:HL-2000-FHSA-LL.

[0036] In the system described herein, a spectrometer 136 is used to analyze the excitation / reflected light from the sample 110. In some examples, the spectrometer 136 may have a wavelength range of 200–1100 nm and an optical resolution of 2.6 nm (25 μm slit, 300 grid lines / mm). In some examples, this may be an Ocean Insight QEPro (high dynamic range). The exemplary light source and spectrometer may be coupled to a fiber optic line 140 for light wave transmission (details of which are described herein).

[0037] Figure 2 shows a different angle and different features of the reflector setting hardware of Figure 1. Figure 2 shows a probe end 224 mounted on a bracket 226 attached to a vertical track system 250. The vertical track system 250 can be any number of tracks having worm gears, helical gears, screw gears, etc., with associated knobs 230 for operation. Such tracks may be manually driven or electrically motor driven, and in the case of motor drive, communicate with a computer system for remote operation. An exemplary light source and spectrometer (not shown in Figure 2) may be coupled to a fiber optic line 240 for the transmission of light waves (details of which are described herein). In some examples, this may have UV-visible branched fiber cores 241, 243, with each end of the branched line being a UV-visible branched fiber extending to the spectrometer and light source. In some examples, the core is 600 mm. Other exemplary fiber optic lines may be used, and this is merely an example.

[0038] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary fiber optic line or fiber bundle (140 in Figure 1) that can be used in the system described herein. 310 shows an exemplary arrangement having one fiber optic line 312 for collection that communicates with a spectrometer (136 in Figure 1) and one fiber optic line 314 for excitation that communicates with a light source (134 in Figure 1). In such examples, the fiber optic lines may be branched or in parallel, and the fiber optic lines may be combined to form a single unit or bundle, or covered with material. In this example, each fiber optic line 312, 314 is a fiber with a core diameter of 600 microns. In some examples, each fiber optic line 312, 314 has a core diameter greater than 600 microns. In such examples, the distance 316 between the centers of each fiber optic line 312, 314 is approximately 700 microns. In some examples, the distance 316 between the centers of each fiber optic line 312, 314 is between 650 and 750 microns.

[0039] Figure 3 shows a second exemplary cross-sectional view of a fiber optic line 320 having one fiber optic line 322 for collection that communicates with a spectrometer (136 in Figure 1) and six fiber optic lines 324 for excitation that communicate with a light source (134 in Figure 1). In this example, the excitation fiber optic lines 324 are arranged radially around the central collection fiber 322. In this example, each fiber optic line 322, 324 is a fiber with a diameter of 400 microns.

[0040] In such examples, the distance 326 between the center of the central fiber line 322 and one of the radially arranged excitation fiber lines 324 is approximately 500 microns. In some examples, the distance 326 between the center of the central fiber line 322 and one of the radially arranged excitation fiber lines 324 is approximately 450 to 550 microns.

[0041] Reflective probes, such as the reflective probes in Figures 1 and 2, can also be used with mounted jewelry, as shown in Figure 4. Mounted jewelry, such as rings, pendants, and necklaces, often includes metal or mounted parts that make measurement and analysis difficult for various reasons, including but not limited to situations where there is no straight path for light due to a metal ring used in a transmission-absorbing structure, because it is difficult to position the reflective material to collect absorbed light in the reflective structure, and / or because a large number of jewelry pieces 420 are mounted on the bezel.

[0042] These obstacles can be overcome, in one example, by utilizing a jewelry mounting stand as shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4, the jewelry mounting stand 402 may include a base 404 and an arm 406. The arm 406 may be shaped to have an elbow bend to allow a ring 410 mounted on a bezel with the bottom of the stone 412 open to be placed on the upper part 408 of the arm 406. In the illustrated example, the upper part 408 of the mounting stand arm 406 may include, but is not limited to, polished aluminum, Teflon®, or other reflective material that functions as a reflective substrate 408. In some examples, other metals are used or coated on the arm 406 to provide a reflective background for analysis. Such a sample mounting stand 402 may be general-purpose and can be easily redesigned for other types of jewelry by using different shaped arms 406 of different sizes to accommodate jewelry with different shapes of mounts.

[0043] When in use, such a mounting base 402 allows the reflective probe 490 to analyze the gemstone 412 while it remains mounted on the ring 410 by using the upper part 408 of the arm 406 as a reflective surface, as shown in surface 120 in Figure 1.

[0044] Figure 5 shows two examples of absorbance spectral graphs across various wavelengths, measured on mounted jewelry of ruby ​​502, 512 and blue sapphire 504, 514 on the mounting base shown in Figure 4.

[0045] Figure 6 shows exemplary graphs of absorbance against wavelength for various colored gemstone samples, including synthetic sapphire melee 602, natural sapphire melee 604, natural sapphire rough 606, natural emerald oval 610, natural emerald pear shape 612, synthetic ruby ​​620, diamond brown 630, and blue spinel 640. All graphs show an integral time of 1 second.

[0046] Figure 7 shows illustrative graphs of absorbance against wavelength in nanometers for various samples of jadeite stones of different shapes, such as disc-shaped jadeite 702 and spherical jadeite 704.

[0047] Figure 8 shows an illustrative graph 802 of the absorbance of a color-grade G Cape yellow diamond against wavelength.

[0048] Figure 9 shows an example graph 902 of the reflectance of Tahitian pearls against wavelength (nm), where the y-axis 904 of this plot represents reflectance.

[0049] Example of time-resolved absorption spectrum measurement

[0050] Some gemstones may exhibit time-dependent responses in their absorption properties, which can be captured, graphed, and analyzed. The systems and methods of this specification, including software, can be used in combination with UV / Vis spectrometer probes to collect time series of absorption spectra of samples after photostress or thermal stress. For example, Figure 10 shows a graph 1002 of the time-dependent absorption of a "chameleon" diamond, plotted with absorbance 1006 and wavelength 1008 in nm. Such diamonds may change color when heated or kept in the dark for extended periods. Studying these effects may allow for an investigation of the fundamental thermochromicity dynamics of such chameleon diamonds. Figure 11 shows a more detailed graph of the graph in Figure 10, illustrating time-resolved absorption spectroscopy measurements of a chameleon diamond, including integrated absorbance against wavelength and time in seconds, and the photodynamics 1102 of the peak at 300-700 nm. Other graphs show details of the graphs for the photodynamics 1104 of the peak at 475 nm and the photodynamics 1106 of the peak at 427 nm.

[0051] Calibration step and measurement step

[0052] In some cases, a calibration step for the machine may be used to reset the machine to obtain appropriate readings before performing measurements using the systems and methods described herein. For example, the system may be recalibrated whenever the integration time and mean number are changed in the software. Figure 12 shows some exemplary steps that may be used to calibrate the system, which may include setting the integration time and mean number, performing dark and background measurements with the shutter closed (example chart of the dark noise spectrum of the spectrometer 1210) and with the shutter open (example chart of the bright background spectrum from a reference 1220), and measuring the signal 1230 with the sample under the probe, where absorption = Log10((background - dark) / (signal - dark)); reflectance = (signal - dark) / (background - dark).

[0053] Examples of fluorescence and phosphorescence measurements

[0054] The systems and methods described herein may include the ability to measure the fluorescence and / or phosphorescence of diamonds, colored stones, and / or pearls in fiber-coupled reflection mode. Such features may be incorporated into the entire UV / Vis spectrometer system (as shown, for example, in Figure 1) in addition to, or instead of, the halogen lamp described above.

[0055] Such a configuration may allow the system to be used to probe diamonds, colored stones, and / or pearls for their fluorescence and / or phosphorescence responses at specific UV wavelength excitations using a UV / Vis spectrometer. Such a configuration may also allow the system to be used to investigate changes in absorption response after excitation with UV light. In one such example, the system can be used to measure the absorption response of so-called photochromic diamond after exposure to specific UV light. The system can be software-based so that a computer can send a signal to turn on a UV light source and collect time-resolved absorption spectra after the UV LED light source is turned off.

[0056] In some cases, it may be beneficial to utilize fluorescence measurements using short-wavelength ultraviolet (SWUV) and / or long-wavelength ultraviolet (LWUV), for example, by integrating fluorescence measurements excited at 265 nm and 365 nm (LED).

[0057] Figure 13 shows an example of a filtered high-power fiber-coupled LED 1310 that can be used in such a configuration coupled to a fiber line 1302. In some examples, the fiber line 1302 may contain multiple fibers that can connect the LED system 1310 to the probe end 1304. In some non-limiting examples, the LEDs may be MIGHTEX products capable of producing 220 μW at 265 nm and 2.2 mW at 365 nm.

[0058] In some cases, a graph of counts against wavelength can be calculated from the system to record fluorescence, including that of ruby ​​1320 or any other gemstone for analysis as described herein. Examples of network systems

[0059] In some examples, a computer 1402 having a processor and memory is configured to run software, as shown in Figure 14. Computer 1402 may communicate with a network 1410, such as the Internet or a local area network. Such computers can include any type of computer, such as but not limited to tablets, smartphones, desktops, laptops, or other computers 1406, and multiple computers can communicate with each other or run the software described herein. More detailed and / or further examples of such computers are shown in Figure 15. Other hardware components may include, but are not limited to, the UV-Vis apparatus itself 1404, which includes components shown in Figure 1, such as a reflectance measurement system.

[0060] Returning to Figure 14, data captured from either computer 1402 or 1406 can be analyzed on the backend system 1420 instead of, or in addition to, the local computer. In such examples, the data may be transmitted to the backend computer 1420 and associated data storage for storage, analysis, calculation, comparison, or other operations. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the data transmission may be wireless transmission via cellular 1440 or Wi-Fi 1442 transmission using associated routers and hubs. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the transmission may be via wired connection 1444. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the transmission may be transmitted to the backend server computer 1420 and associated data storage via a network such as the Internet 1410. The backend server computer 1420 and / or local computer systems 1402, 1404 and their respective associated data storage can store, analyze, and compare spectrometer data, sample identification, sample location, time, date, and / or any other associated test data with previously stored spectrometer data, identification, and / or any other type of data analysis. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, data storage, analysis, and / or processing may be shared between the local computers 1402, 1404 and the backend computing system 1420. In such examples, networked computing resources may enable the utilization of more data processing capacity than would otherwise be available on the local computers. In this way, data processing and / or storage can be offloaded to available computing resources. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the networked computing resource 1420 may be a virtual machine in a cloud or distributed infrastructure. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the networked computing resource 1420 may be distributed across many physical or virtual computing resources by a cloud infrastructure.The example of a single computer server 1420 is not intended to be limiting, but is merely an example of the computing resources that may be utilized by the systems and methods described herein. In some examples, artificial intelligence and / or machine learning may be used additionally or alternatively to analyze spectrometer data from a sample. Such a system may be trained with a dataset to train an algorithm to help produce better results in the analysis of the sample.

[0061] Since computer systems 1402 and 1406 communicate with the UV-Vis system 1404, the software running on computers 1406 and 1402 can be used for any number of things, including but not limited to powering on the system, opening and closing the shutter of the UV-Vis device 1404, continuous spectral acquisition, calibration in both light and dark conditions, spectral acquisition, stopping and saving the acquisition.

[0062] Exemplary computer device

[0063] Figure 15 shows an exemplary computing device 1500 that can be used in the systems and methods described herein. In the exemplary computer 1500, the CPU or processor 1510 communicates with a user interface 1514 by bus or other communication 1512. The user interface includes exemplary input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, buttons, joystick, or other user input devices. The user interface 1514 also includes a display device 1518, such as a screen. The computing device 1500 shown in Figure 15 also includes a network interface 1520 that communicates with the CPU 1520 and other components. The network interface 1520 may enable the computing device 1500 to communicate with other computers, databases, networks, user devices, or any other computing-capable devices. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the method of communication may be via Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth Low Energy, wired communication, or any other type of communication. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the exemplary computing device 1500 includes peripherals 1524 that also communicate with the processor 1510. In some examples, the peripheral equipment may additionally or alternatively include a stage motor 1526, such as an electric servo and / or stepper motor, used to move the probe up and down. In some examples, the peripheral equipment 1524 may include a light source 1528 and / or a spectrometer 1529. In some exemplary computing devices 1500, memory 1522 communicates with the processor 1510.In some examples, additionally or alternatively, this memory 1522 may include instructions for running software such as an operating system 1532, a network communication module 1534, other instructions 1536, an application 1538, an application for controlling the spectrometer and / or light source 1540, an application 1542 for processing data, a data storage device 1558, data such as a data table 1560, a transaction log 1562, sample data 1564, sample position data 1570, or any other type of data.

[0064] conclusion

[0065] As disclosed herein, features consistent with embodiments of the present invention may be implemented via computer hardware, software, and / or firmware. For example, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms, or combinations thereof, including, for example, data processors such as computers, which also include databases, digital electronic circuits, firmware, software, computer networks, and servers. Furthermore, while some of the disclosed implementations describe specific hardware components, systems, and methods consistent with the innovations herein, they can be implemented in any combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware. Moreover, the above-described features and other aspects and principles of the innovations herein can be implemented in various environments. Such environments and associated applications may be specifically constructed to perform various routines, processes, and / or operations according to embodiments, or they may include computers or computing platforms that are selectively invoked or reconfigured by code to provide the necessary functionality. The processes disclosed herein are not inherently related to any particular computer, network, architecture, environment, or other device and can be implemented by a suitable combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware. For example, various machines can be used with programs written in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments, or it may be more convenient to construct dedicated devices or systems to perform the necessary methods and techniques.

[0066] Embodiments of the methods and systems described herein, such as logic, may be implemented as programmed functions in any of a variety of circuits, including programmable logic devices ("PLDs") such as field-programmable gate arrays ("FPGAs"), programmable array logic ("PAL") devices, electrically programmable logic and memory devices, as well as standard cell-based devices and application-specific integrated circuits. Some other possibilities for implementing embodiments include memory devices, microcontrollers with memory (such as EEPROMs), embedded microprocessors, firmware, and software. Furthermore, embodiments may be embodied in microprocessors having software-based circuit emulation, discrete logic (sequential and combinatorial), custom devices, fuzzy (neural) logic, quantum devices, and hybrids of any of the above device types. The underlying device technologies can be provided in various component types, such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) technology like complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor ("CMOS"), bipolar technologies like emitter-coupled logic ("ECL"), polymer technologies (e.g., silicon-conjugated polymers and metal-conjugated polymer-metal structures), and mixed analog and digital.

[0067] It should also be noted that the various logics and / or functions disclosed herein may be enabled, with respect to their behavior, register transfers, logic components, and / or other characteristics, using any number of combinations of hardware and firmware, and / or as data and / or instructions embodied in various machine-readable or computer-readable media. Computer-readable media that can embody such formatted data and / or instructions include, but are not limited to, various forms of non-volatile storage media (e.g., optical, magnetic, or semiconductor storage media), and carriers that can be used to transfer such formatted data and / or instructions via wireless, optical, or wired signaling media or any combination thereof. Examples of transfer of such formatted data and / or instructions via carriers include, but are not limited to, transfers over the Internet and / or other computer networks via one or more data transfer protocols (e.g., H3P, FTP, SMTP, etc.) (e.g., uploads, downloads, emails, etc.).

[0068] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, words such as “comprise,” “comprising,” and so on should be interpreted throughout the specification and claims in a comprehensive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is, “not limited to.” Words used in singular or plural also include plural or singular, respectively. Furthermore, words such as “herein,” “hereunder,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar meaning refer to the entire application and not to any particular part thereof. Where the word “or” is used in reference to a list of two or more items, that word encompasses the following interpretations of that word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and all of any combination of the items in the list.

[0069] While this specification specifically describes certain currently preferred embodiments of the description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the various embodiments shown and described herein can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments are intended to be limited only to the extent required by applicable laws and regulations.

[0070] This embodiment can be implemented in the form of methods and apparatus for carrying out these methods. This embodiment can also be implemented in the form of program code embodied on a tangible medium such as a floppy diskette, CD-ROM, hard drive, or any other machine-readable storage medium, and when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for carrying out the embodiment. This embodiment may also be in the form of program code, whether stored on a storage medium, loaded into a machine and / or executed by a machine, or transmitted via some transmission medium such as electrical wiring or cabling, via optical fiber, or via electromagnetic radiation, and when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for carrying out the embodiment. When implemented on a processor, the program code segment combines with the processor to provide a unique device that operates similarly to a specific logic circuit.

[0071] Software is stored on machine-readable media, which can take many forms including but not limited to tangible storage media, carrier media, or physical transmission media. Non-volatile storage media include optical disks or magnetic disks, for example, any storage device such as a computer. Volatile storage media include dynamic memory, such as the main memory of a computer platform. Tangible transmission media include copper wires and optical fibers, including coaxial cables and wires that have buses within a computer system. Carrier media can take the form of electrical signals or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic waves or light waves, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) data communications and infrared (IR) data communications. Therefore, common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, disks (e.g., hard, soft, flexible) or any other magnetic media, CD-ROMs, DVDs or DVD-ROMs, any other optical media, any other physical storage media, RAM, PROMs and EPROMs, FLASH®-EPROMs, any other memory chips, carriers for carrying data or instructions, cables or links for carrying such carriers, or any other media from which a computer can read programming code and / or data. Many of these forms of computer-readable media can be involved in transporting one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor for execution.

[0072] The above description is provided for illustrative purposes with reference to specific embodiments. However, the above exemplary description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit embodiments to the exact form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been selected and described to best illustrate the principles of the embodiments and their practical applications, thereby enabling other persons skilled in the art to best utilize various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the particular application intended.

Claims

1. A method for analyzing a translucent sample using reflectance spectrometer analysis, A spectrometer, a first light source, and a computer having a processor and memory that communicate with the second light source, The steps include transmitting a first optical signal from the first light source via an excitation fiber at the end of a reflective probe mounted on a subsystem frame configured to move up and down on a sample stage, A step of receiving a first response signal that passes through the translucent sample, is reflected off the sample stage, and returns to the spectrometer through the translucent sample via the collection fiber, the step of bundling the excitation fiber and the collection fiber, The steps include displaying a first fluorescence graph of the received first response signal, The steps include turning off the first light source, The steps of transmitting a second optical signal from the second light source through the excitation fiber to the end of the reflective probe attached to the subsystem frame which is configured to move up and down on the sample stage, The steps include receiving an absorption response signal that passes through the translucent sample, is reflected back to the sample stage, and is returned to the spectrometer through the translucent sample by the collection fiber, A step of displaying the time series of the absorption spectrum of the received absorption response signal, showing the absorbance as a function of wavelength and time, A method that includes this.

2. Before transmitting the first optical signal, Setting the integration time and average number in the software running on the aforementioned computer, Perform dark measurement and background measurement, The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of performing calibration by placing the sample under the reflective probe and measuring the signal.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first light source is a light-emitting diode light source capable of emitting wavelengths of 265 nm and 365 nm, or a deuterium lamp with a filter configured to emit wavelengths of 200 nm to 400 nm.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second light source has a wavelength of 190 nm to 2500 nm.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second light source has either a deuterium component or a tungsten halogen component.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sample stage is made of Teflon.

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