JP2010117171A - Spectrophotometer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spectrophotometer capable of arranging a sample in a sample chamber while easily confirming which position in the sample is irradiated with a measurement light beam.
An illumination unit 20 that irradiates a measurement light beam having a wavelength selected from an ultraviolet region to a visible region to a measurement site in a sample 17, a sample chamber 14 in which the sample 17 is disposed, A spectrophotometer 1 including a detector 10 that detects transmitted light that has passed through a measurement site in a sample 17 disposed in a sample chamber 14, and a control unit 30 that controls an illumination unit 20. Is characterized in that, before the sample 17 is placed in the sample chamber 14, the illuminating unit 20 is automatically controlled so that the measurement light beam of at least one specific wavelength selected from the visible region is irradiated. To do.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a spectrophotometer, and more particularly to a spectrophotometer capable of irradiating a measurement light beam having a wavelength selected from an ultraviolet region to a visible region.

A spectrophotometer is used to measure an absorption spectrum at a location to be measured in a sample (eg, resin, film, crystal, glass, powder, etc.).
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer 51 includes an illumination unit 20 that irradiates a measurement light beam, a sample chamber 14 in which a sample 17 is disposed, a detector 10 such as an integrating sphere unit that detects transmitted light, an illumination unit 20 and a detector 10. And a computer (control unit) 60 for controlling the computer.
The illumination unit 20 includes a light source 23 such as a deuterium lamp and a halogen lamp, a diffraction grating 22 that disperses light emitted from the light source 23, and an irradiation area (for example, 8 mm × 8 mm) in which the measurement light beam is irradiated into the sample 17. ) And a slit 21 through which a measurement light beam having a target wavelength passes.
The computer 60 includes a CPU 61, and further includes a memory 35, a display device 33 having a monitor screen and the like, and a keyboard and a mouse that are the input devices 32.

In such a spectrophotometer 51, the measurement light beam emitted from the illumination unit 20 is guided to the sample chamber 14 in which the sample 17 is disposed. In the sample chamber 14, the measurement light beam is irradiated to the measurement site in the sample 17, passes through the measurement site in the sample 17, and exits from the measurement site in the sample 17 as transmitted light. At this time, the measurement light beam is inherently absorbed by the portion to be measured in the sample 17. Then, the transmitted light exiting from the measurement site in the sample 17 is detected by the detector 10. Thereafter, the computer 60 obtains an absorption spectrum at the location to be measured in the sample 17 by analyzing the light reception signal of the detector 10.

By the way, in such a spectrophotometer 51, measurement from a wavelength λ ₂ (for example, 200 nm) to a wavelength λ ₃ (for example, 800 nm) selected from the ultraviolet region (180 nm) to the infrared region (3000 nm). It is possible to sequentially irradiate the measurement site in the sample 17 with the light beam by adjusting the angle and position of the diffraction grating 22. For example, the operator inputs measurement conditions such as the wavelength λ ₂ and the wavelength λ ₃ using the input device 32 by calling the measurement condition setting image on the monitor screen 23 a using the input device 32. As a result, an absorption spectrum from the wavelength λ ₂ to the wavelength λ ₃ at the location to be measured in the sample 17 is obtained.
Further, when the measurement site in the sample 17 is small, in order to check whether the measurement beam in the sample 17 is accurately irradiated with the measurement beam, the measurement beam from the wavelength λ ₂ to the wavelength λ ₃ is selected. Before irradiating, a measurement condition setting image is called on the monitor screen 23a using the input device 32, and a measurement light beam having a specific wavelength λ ₁ (eg, 550 nm) in the visible region (400 nm to 1000 nm) is input. by irradiating the measuring light beam of a specific wavelength lambda ₁ to the sample 17, it was to check whether the measurement beam is irradiated on any position in the sample 17 (e.g., see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-250836 A

However, in order to investigate where in the sample 17 the measurement light beam is irradiated, the measurement light beam of the specific wavelength λ ₁ is selected before the measurement light beam from the wavelength λ ₂ to the wavelength λ ₃ is selected and irradiated. In order to perform irradiation, it is necessary to operate the input device 32 and the like. When measuring a plurality of samples 17, it is necessary to operate the input device 32 and the like every time the sample 17 is replaced. There was a problem that it took.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a spectrophotometer capable of arranging a sample in a sample chamber while easily confirming in which position the measurement light beam is irradiated in the sample.

The spectrophotometer of the present invention made to solve the above-described problems is an illumination unit that irradiates a measurement light beam having a wavelength selected from an ultraviolet region to a visible region to a measurement target location in a sample, and the sample A spectrophotometer comprising: a sample chamber for disposing a light; a detector for detecting transmitted light that has passed through a measurement site in the sample disposed in the sample chamber; and a control unit for controlling the illumination unit. There,
The control unit automatically controls the illumination unit so that the measurement light beam having at least one specific wavelength selected from the visible region is irradiated before the sample is placed in the sample chamber. Yes.

Here, “before the sample is placed in the sample chamber” means before the sample is placed at a position where the measurement light beam is irradiated to a desired measurement location in the sample. It is different from being arranged at a temporary position in the sample chamber where the measurement light beam is not irradiated to a desired measurement location in the inside. Therefore, according to the present invention, when the sample is disposed at the temporary position, the measurement light beam having the specific wavelength is not irradiated, and after the sample is disposed at the temporary position, the measurement light beam having the specific wavelength is irradiated, and the sample is in that state. However, it is also included that the measurement light beam is radiated to a desired measurement site in the sample.
The “measurement light beam of at least one specific wavelength” may be only the measurement light beam of one specific wavelength, and sequentially irradiates measurement light beams from one specific wavelength to another specific wavelength. Alternatively, the measurement light beam may be a mixture of one specific wavelength and another specific wavelength.
According to the spectrophotometer of the present invention, before the sample is placed in the sample chamber, the control unit sets the illuminating unit so that the measurement light beam having at least one specific wavelength selected from the visible region is irradiated. Control automatically. Since the control unit controls the illumination unit in this way, the operator does not need to operate the input device or the like in order to confirm which position in the sample is irradiated with the measurement light beam.

As described above, according to the spectrophotometer of the present invention, the sample can be placed in the sample chamber while easily confirming which position in the sample is irradiated with the measurement light beam.

(Means and effects for solving other problems)
Further, in the spectrophotometer of the present invention, after the control unit irradiates a measurement light beam having a wavelength selected from the ultraviolet region to the visible region for measuring one sample, the control unit starts from the visible region. The illumination unit is automatically controlled to irradiate at least one selected measurement light beam having a specific wavelength, and at least one specific wavelength selected from the visible region after the sample is placed in the sample chamber. The illumination unit may be automatically controlled so as to stop the irradiation of the measurement light beam.
The spectrophotometer of the present invention is illuminated such that the control unit emits a measurement light beam having at least one specific wavelength selected from the green region before the sample is placed in the sample chamber. The unit may be automatically controlled.
According to the spectrophotometer of the present invention, since the green color is generally easy to see in the human eye, it is possible to irradiate the measurement light beam with at least one specific wavelength selected from the green region, and further to the initial stage. If the setting is set at the time of shipment or the like, the operator does not need to operate the input device or the like once to confirm which position in the sample is irradiated with the measurement light beam.

Furthermore, the spectrophotometer of the present invention further includes a setting unit that sets at least one specific wavelength of the measurement light beam irradiated before the sample is placed in the sample chamber. The illumination unit may be automatically controlled based on at least one specific wavelength of the measurement light beam set in the setting unit.
According to the spectrophotometer of the present invention, since it is generally easy for human eyes to see green, it may be set around 550 nm. However, when the sample is green, it is set to 470 nm blue, 650 nm red, etc. can do.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment, It cannot be overemphasized that various aspects are included in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a spectrophotometer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The spectrophotometer 1 includes an illumination unit 20 that irradiates a measurement light beam, a sample chamber 14 in which a sample 17 is disposed, a detector 10 such as an integrating sphere unit that detects transmitted light, an illumination unit 20 and a detector 10. And a computer (control unit) 30 for controlling the computer. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the thing similar to the spectrophotometer 51. FIG.
The computer 30 includes a CPU 31, and further includes a memory 35, a display device 33 having a monitor screen and the like, and a keyboard and a mouse that are input devices 32. The function processed by the CPU 31 will be described as a block. A setting unit 43 that sets the specific wavelength setting λ ₁ , an illumination unit control unit 41 that controls the illumination unit 20, and a detector control unit 42 that controls the detector 10. Have

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial condition setting image displayed by the spectrophotometer 1. The monitor screen 23a includes a photometric value type “reflectance”, a detector unit “integrating sphere”, a slit width “8” mm, a specific wavelength setting λ ₁ “550” nm, a light source “automatic”, A time constant “5.0”, an OK button for confirming the input measurement condition, and a Cancel button for canceling the input measurement condition are displayed. The initial condition setting image displayed in this way is called on the monitor screen 23a using the input device 32, and the operator inputs measurement conditions using the input device 32 while viewing the initial condition setting image. Will do.

Setting unit 43 performs control to set a specific wavelength setting lambda _1. For example, when the input device 32 is operated by the operator, the initial condition setting image is displayed on the monitor screen 23a. Then, by inputting the specific wavelength setting lambda ₁ "550" nm by the operator, to set a specific wavelength setting lambda ₁ "550" nm. At this time, since it is generally easy for human eyes to see green, it may be set to around 550 nm. However, when the sample 17 is green, it may be set to 470 nm blue, 650 nm red, or the like.

The illumination unit control unit 41 controls the illumination unit 20 based on the initial condition setting image and the measurement condition setting image to which the measurement condition is input. For example, when the setting unit 43 sets the specific wavelength setting λ ₁ “550” nm (before the sample 17 is placed in the sample chamber 14), the measurement light beam with the specific wavelength λ ₁ is irradiated. When the wavelength λ ₂ “200” nm and the wavelength λ ₃ “800” nm are set (after the sample 17 is placed in the sample chamber 14), the measurement light beams from the wavelength λ ₂ to the wavelength λ ₃ are sequentially transmitted. Irradiate. Then, after sequentially irradiating the measurement light beam from the wavelength λ ₂ to the wavelength λ ₃ , the measurement light beam of the specific wavelength λ ₁ is irradiated. Except when the sample 17 is being measured in this way, the measurement light beam having the specific wavelength λ ₁ is irradiated. Thereby, the operator does not need to operate the input device 32, and the sample 17 is placed at a desired measurement location in the sample 17 while confirming which position in the sample 17 the measurement light beam is irradiated to. It can arrange | position in the position where a measurement light beam is irradiated.
The detector control unit 42 controls the detector 10 based on the initial condition setting image and the measurement condition setting image to which the measurement condition is input. For example, when the measurement light beam having the wavelength λ ₂ is irradiated by the illumination unit control unit 41, the light reception signal is stored in the memory 35 by receiving the light reception signal from the detector 10, and the illumination unit control unit 41 stores the next wavelength. When the measurement light beam is irradiated, the illumination unit control unit 41 sequentially irradiates the measurement light beam from the wavelength λ ₂ to the wavelength λ ₃ so that the light reception signal is stored in the memory 35 by receiving the light reception signal from the detector 10. As a result, the received light signal is stored in the memory 35.

Next, a measurement method for sequentially measuring a plurality of samples with the spectrophotometer 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the measuring method by the spectrophotometer 1.
First, in the process of step S101, the operator uses the input device 32 to call up an initial condition setting image and inputs a specific wavelength setting λ ₁ “550” nm.
Next, in the process of step S102, the setting unit 43 sets the specific wavelength setting λ ₁ “550” nm, and the illumination unit control unit 41 irradiates the measurement light beam with the specific wavelength λ ₁ .

Next, in the process of step S <b> 103, the operator places the sample 17 in the sample chamber 14. At this time, the operator irradiates the sample 17 with the measurement light beam at a desired measurement site in the sample 17 while confirming which position in the sample 17 the measurement light beam of the specific wavelength λ ₁ is irradiated. It will be arranged at the position.
Next, in the process of step S104, the operator calls up the measurement condition setting image using the input device 32, and inputs the wavelength λ ₂ “200” nm and the wavelength λ ₃ “800” nm.
Next, in the process of step S105, the illuminating unit control unit 41 sequentially irradiates the measurement light beam from the wavelength λ ₂ to the wavelength λ ₃ as the measurement light beam to be irradiated to the measurement site in the sample 17 and detects the measurement light beam. The instrument controller 42 stores the received light signal in the memory 35.

Next, in the process of step S106, the illumination unit controller 41 sets the specific wavelength setting λ ₁ “550” nm and irradiates the measurement light beam with the specific wavelength λ ₁ .
Next, in the process of step S107, the operator determines whether or not to measure the next sample. When it is determined that the next sample is to be measured, in the process of step S108, the operator removes the sample 17 from the sample chamber 14, and returns to the process of step S103.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the next sample is not measured, this flowchart is terminated.

As described above, according to the spectrophotometer 1 of the present invention, the sample 17 is moved to the desired location in the sample 17 while easily confirming which position in the sample 17 is irradiated with the measurement light beam. It can arrange | position in the position where a measurement light beam is irradiated.

The present invention can be used for a spectrophotometer capable of irradiating a measurement light beam having a wavelength selected from the ultraviolet region to the visible region.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the spectrophotometer which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the initial condition setting image displayed by the spectrophotometer. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the measuring method by a spectrophotometer. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the conventional spectrophotometer.

Explanation of symbols

1: spectrophotometer 10: detector 14: sample chamber 17: sample 20: illumination unit 30: computer (control unit)

Claims (4)

An illuminating unit that irradiates a measurement light beam having a wavelength selected from the ultraviolet region to the visible region to a measurement site in the sample;
A sample chamber for placing the sample;
A detector that detects transmitted light that has passed through a measurement site in a sample disposed in the sample chamber;
A spectrophotometer comprising a control unit for controlling the illumination unit,
The control unit automatically controls the illuminating unit so that the measurement light beam having at least one specific wavelength selected from the visible region is irradiated before the sample is arranged in the sample chamber. A spectrophotometer. The control unit measures at least one specific wavelength selected from the visible region after irradiating a measurement light beam having a wavelength selected from the ultraviolet region to the visible region for measuring one sample. While automatically controlling the lighting unit to irradiate the light beam,
2. The illumination unit is automatically controlled to stop irradiation of a measurement light beam having at least one specific wavelength selected from the visible region after the sample is arranged in the sample chamber. The spectrophotometer described in 1. The control unit automatically controls the illumination unit so that the measurement light beam having at least one specific wavelength selected from the green region is irradiated before the sample is arranged in the sample chamber. The spectrophotometer according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit includes a setting unit that sets at least one specific wavelength of the measurement light beam irradiated before the sample is arranged in the sample chamber,
The spectrophotometer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit automatically controls the illumination unit based on at least one specific wavelength of the measurement light beam set in the setting unit. Total.

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