Quantitative near-infrared measurement instrument for multiple measurements in both reflectance and transmission modes

Claim 1

An instrument for making quantitative measurements of a sample using near-infrared radiation and detectors therefor, the instrument being capable of making such measurements by either transmission through the sample or reflectance from the sample, the instrument comprising: (a) a housing member, (b) a sample chamber within the housing, the sample chamber having near-infrared transparent windows therein and being hollow and capable of accepting removable sample holders, (c) a source of near-infrared radiation directed on an optical axis toward the sample chamber and normally passing through the NIR-transparent windows of the sample chamber, (d) an NIR transmission detection means on the side of the sample chamber opposite the source of NIR radiation, (e) an NIR reflectance detection means on the same side of the sample chamber as the source of NIR radiation, (f) a first sample holder means for insertion into the sample chamber and adapted to hold and position a sample therein a condition specifically suited to the reflection of the NIR radiation from a surface thereof for the measurement of the magnitude of such reflection; and (g) a second sample holder means for insertion into the sample chamber and adapted to allow transmission of the NIR radiation therethrough and to hold and position a sample therein in a condition specifically suited to the transmission of the NIR radiation through the sample and the measurement of the magnitude of such transmission.