JPH11316186A - Spectrophotometer for measuring solid samples - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a spectrophotometer for measuring a solid sample that is compact and can block external light without darkening a room. A light projecting system and a light receiving system having a vertical optical axis.
A head unit 1a storing the light projecting system 5, a sample set table 2 having a substantially horizontal sample set surface 2a and being vertically adjustable, and an openable and closable upper light shielding unit for shielding the sample set surface 2a And 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a spectrophotometer for performing spectroscopic measurement of a solid sample.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional spectrophotometer for measuring a liquid sample, a liquid is put into a cell having a predetermined shape, and measurement is usually performed by irradiating light in a horizontal direction. This is because the liquid follows the shape of the cell within the cell, and the light path is uniquely determined by the shape of the cell.

However, when measuring a solid sample,
Most solid samples are thin samples such as plates, films, cloths, liquid crystal panels, and optical components (filters, lenses, etc.), and are easier to handle when placed horizontally. Therefore, reflected light or transmitted light is measured by applying light from a light source vertically.

FIG. 5 shows a conventionally used spectrophotometer for measuring a solid sample. In this spectrophotometer, a solid sample is placed on a sample set table 51, and light is illuminated from below to measure the transmitted light.

[0005] Reference numeral 52 denotes an XYZ sample stage interlocked with the sample set table 51, and reference numeral 54 denotes an arm having a light projecting section at the tip. The sample transmitted light passes through a lens in the light receiving lens barrel 55 and is collected on an optical fiber (not shown). The optical fiber passes through the light receiving arm 53,
Coupled to an external spectrograph (not shown). 56 is a dark box in which the spectrophotometer is placed.

[0006]

In optical measurement using the above-mentioned spectrophotometer for measuring a solid sample, extra light must not be applied. To do this, darken the entire room,
It is necessary to completely put the spectrophotometer for measuring solid samples in a dark box.

However, if the whole room is dark, the measurement is inconvenient, and if a dark box is used, it is necessary to put it in or out of the box, which is inconvenient to handle. Also,
Cannot handle samples larger than the dark box.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a spectrophotometer for measuring a solid sample which can be compactly formed, can cope with a large sample, and can block external light.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a spectrophotometer for measuring a solid sample in which a light projecting system and a light receiving system having a vertical optical axis and one or both of the light projecting system and the light receiving system are stored. The apparatus has a head section, a substantially horizontal sample set surface, a sample set table that can be adjusted up and down, and an openable and closable upper light shielding portion for shielding the sample set surface from light (claim 1).

[0010] According to the above configuration, there is an upper light-shielding portion,
And since it can be opened and closed, when setting a sample, it is possible to set the sample by opening the upper light shielding part. At the time of measurement, if the measurement is performed with the upper light-shielding portion closed, external light can be blocked.

With the upper light-shielding part closed, a space is secured between the lower end of the upper light-shielding part and the upper surface of the sample.
It is desirable that the upper limit of the movement of the sample set table is determined (claim 2). With this configuration, a space is secured between the lower end of the upper light-shielding portion and the upper surface of the sample during measurement, so that the sample is not damaged.

Preferably, the light receiving system includes an optical fiber, and the optical fiber is movable with respect to the sample. With this configuration, the measurement can be performed while changing the light receiving angle, so that the angular characteristics of the reflected light and the transmitted light can be known.

It is preferable that the light receiving system includes depolarizing means. With this depolarizing means, even when the light from the sample is polarized at the time of angle measurement, the polarized light can be decomposed and changed to natural polarized light, so that the measurement accuracy can be improved. As an example of the depolarizing means, an optical fiber wound in a scrambled form can be cited (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-27212, Patent No. 212).
No. 0341).

It is preferable that the light receiving system or the light projecting system emits light for an area marker. With this configuration, the user can specify and measure the position of the sample by checking the marker image. Note that a bundle type optical fiber in which optical fibers are bundled may be adopted as a means for irradiating the area marker light (actually 7-
No. 50728), a system having a light emitting point at the zero-order light image forming position of the spectroscope may be adopted (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-8516).
Reference).

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a solid sample measuring spectrophotometer (hereinafter simply referred to as "spectrophotometer") for measuring reflected light of a plate-like solid sample, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the same. In these figures, the sample is illuminated with light from the light source and the reflected light is measured. However, if the sample emits light (fluorescence), the light emission of the sample itself can be measured by turning off the light source. it can.

The spectrophotometer includes a main body fixing table 1, a vertically movable sample setting table 2 on which a sample is placed, a light projecting system 5 held in an overhang form from the main body fixing table 1, and a light receiving system capable of adjusting the focus. And a rotating unit 3 rotatably supported by the main body fixing base 1 and rotating the light receiving system 8 by a motor (not shown) or manually.

The light projecting system 5 has a light source 5a, a mirror 9, and lenses 6a and 6b. The type of the light source 5a is, of course, determined according to the wavelength range to be measured. For example, a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, or the like can be used. The lenses 6a and 6b collect the light of the light source and illuminate the spot of the sample with a spot.

The optical fiber 7 guides the reflected light from the sample collected through the lens 8a, and forms a light receiving system 8 by these. The focal position of the light receiving system 8 can be adjusted.

The optical fiber 7 rotates together with the rotating section 3. FIG. 2 shows this rotation. When the angle with the light projected from the light source is represented by θ, −180 ° <θ <
Rotation is possible in the range of 180 °. In addition, if the device is designed so as not to collide with the sample set table 2, it can be rotated in a range larger than this.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sample setting table 2 has a horizontal setting surface 2a on which the sample 4 is placed. The setting surface 2a is provided with a hole having a predetermined diameter at an illumination position of the light from the light source. This hole is used for transmitted light measurement. Since the sample set table 2 is detachable, other types of sample set tables (for example, X-
(Y table). Note that the sample set table 2 also plays a role of blocking light from below.

The sample set table 2 can be moved up and down, but a stopper is provided at the upper limit position of the movement. The upper limit position is determined by assuming the upper limit of the thickness of the sample 4 to be a fixed value, and then setting the sample surface 4a and the closed light shielding portion 10
A gap H where the sample 4 and the light shielding unit 10 do not come in contact with each other.
Is determined to be secured.

On the front surface of the main body fixing base 1, there is provided a light-shielding portion 10 which can be opened and closed vertically. This light shielding unit 10
Is to block light that can be noise during the measurement. The light-shielding section 10 has a viewing window 10a for checking the state of the sample during measurement.
Can be closed by the shutter 10b. The left and right side surfaces of the light shielding unit 10 are closed by a plate or the like to block light. When the sample is placed on the sample set table 2 or removed from the sample set table 2, the light shielding unit 10 is opened. During measurement, light-shielding part 1
0 is closed to prevent light from entering the light receiving system.

The light-shielding portion 10 can be opened and closed by a hinge, as can be seen from FIG. 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light-shielding portion 10 may be provided so as to slide up and down or left and right by a rail. It is possible.

The output end of the optical fiber 7 has a depolarizer 2
1 are connected, and the light exiting from the depolarizer 21 is
2 and the light receiver 23. The depolarizer 21 is composed of, for example, a multi-mode optical fiber wound in a scrambled manner (Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-2).
No. 7212). The depolarizer 21 pays attention to the fact that the light entering the optical fiber 7 is polarized when the rotation unit 3 is rotated to measure the angular characteristics, or when the sample itself has the polarization characteristics, In order to eliminate this polarized light, it is particularly preferably used.

The light receiver 23 may be one in which light receiving elements such as a photodiode array are arranged one-dimensionally.

In order to perform spectrophotometry using the spectrophotometers shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first, the light-shielding portion 10 is opened, the sample 4 is placed on the sample set table 2, and the upper surface of the sample 4 is set at a predetermined height. The sample setting table 2 is adjusted up and down using a scale for confirming the height of the sample so that This “predetermined height” is set to, for example, the same height as the rotation axis of the rotating unit 3.

While the light source 5a is turned on and monitored, the visual field of the optical fiber 7 is adjusted to the illumination position, and the spectral characteristics are measured by the spectroscope 22 and the light receiver 23. At this time, if it is desired to obtain the reflection angle characteristic, the measurement is performed by rotating the optical fiber 7.

As described above, spectroscopic measurement of a solid sample can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a spectrophotometer for measuring the luminescence of a solid sample.

This spectrophotometer does not have a rotating part, and comprises a main body fixed base 1 and a movable sample set base 2 on which a sample is placed.

The light for the area marker emitted from the light source 5a is:
The light is condensed by the lens 13 and enters the optical fiber 11. The optical fiber 11 has a bundle shape capable of transmitting two light beams, has a split output end, and has an optical fiber 12 disposed at the center thereof. The light emitted from the optical fiber 11 forms a spot on the sample surface 4a through the lens 14. These spots function as area markers for specifying the center of the measurement area (see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-50728).

The light emitted from the sample 4 is collected on the optical fiber 12 through the lens 14 and, as in FIG.
The light passes through the depolarizer 21 and is input to the spectroscope 22 and the light receiver 23.

In this spectrophotometer, since the area marker is attached, if the center of the visual field of the optical fiber 7 is adjusted to the center of the two spots while monitoring the measurement position, the sample is held at the optimum measurement position. I can go. Therefore, it is particularly effective for measurement of a sample whose measurement position is limited to a small size.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a spectrophotometer for measuring transmitted light of a solid sample.

Also in this spectrophotometer, there is no rotating part, and it is composed of a main body fixed base 1 and a movable sample set base 2 on which a sample is set.

One of the two lights emitted from the light source 5a is
One for sample illumination, the other for area markers.

The light for sample illumination is reflected by the mirror 9, condensed by the lenses 15a and 15b, partially blocked by the attenuator 16, and applied to the sample surface from above. The light for the area marker enters the optical fiber 11 through the lens 13. The optical fiber 11 has a bundle shape capable of transmitting two light beams as described with reference to FIG.

The sample transmitted light is collected by the optical fiber 12 through the lenses 16 and 16, and is input to the light receiver 23 through the depolarizer 21 and the spectroscope 22.

The difference between this configuration and the configuration in FIG. 3 is that the irradiation of the area marker is performed from the light receiving side. In this case, as in the case of FIG. 3, the sample can be brought to the optimum measurement position.

[0041]

As described above, according to the spectrophotometer of the first aspect, if the measurement is performed with the upper light-shielding portion closed, external light can be blocked, so that it is not necessary to darken the entire room. It is not necessary to put the spectrophotometer in a dark box. Therefore, the measurement can be easily performed.

According to the spectrophotometer of the second aspect,
At the time of measurement, a space is secured between the lower end of the upper light-shielding portion and the upper surface of the sample, so that the sample is not damaged. Further, since the gap H is opened in the horizontal direction, a large sample traveling in the horizontal direction can be set without being limited by the size of the light shielding portion.

According to the spectrophotometer according to the third aspect, the angular characteristics can be measured.

According to the spectrophotometer according to the fourth aspect, when the measurement light from the sample has a polarization characteristic, the measurement can be performed without its influence.

According to the spectrophotometer according to the fifth aspect, even if the measurement area is a small sample, the area can be accurately measured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a spectrophotometer for measuring reflected light of a plate-like solid sample.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the spectrophotometer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixed reflection angle type spectrophotometer for measuring reflected light of a solid sample.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a spectrophotometer for measuring transmitted light of a solid sample.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventionally used spectrophotometer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fixed stand 2 Sample set stand 2a Set surface 3 Rotating part 4 Sample 5 Projection system 5a Light source 6a, 6b lens 7 Optical fiber 8 Light receiving system 8a Lens 9 Mirror 10 Light shielding unit 21 Depolarizer 22 Spectroscope 23 Receiver

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A light emitting system and a light receiving system having a vertical optical axis, a head unit storing one or both of the light emitting system and the light receiving system, and a substantially horizontal sample setting surface, which can be adjusted up and down. A spectrophotometer for measuring a solid sample, comprising: a simple sample set table; and an openable and closable upper light-shielding portion for shielding the sample set surface from light. 2. A state in which a space is secured between a lower end of the upper light-shielding portion and an upper surface of the sample with the upper light-shielding portion closed.
The spectrophotometer for measuring a solid sample according to claim 1, wherein the upper limit position of movement of the sample set table is determined. 3. The spectrophotometer for measuring a solid sample according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving system includes an optical fiber, and the optical fiber is movable with respect to the sample. 4. The spectrophotometer for measuring a solid sample according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving system includes depolarizing means. 5. The spectrophotometer for measuring a solid sample according to claim 1, wherein the light projecting system or the light receiving system emits light for an area marker.