A liquid sample introduction system for a plasma spectrometer includes a sample container for holding a liquid sample, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) nebulizer, arranged to receive a liquid sample from the sample container, an electronic controller for supplying electrical power to the SAW nebulizer so as to produce a surface acoustic wave on a surface of the SAW nebulizer, for generating an aerosol from the supplied sample liquid, and an aerosol transport arrangement for receiving the aerosol from the SAW nebulizer and carrying it into a plasma or flame of a spectrometer. The electronic controller is further configured to control the electrical power to the SAW nebulizer so as to permit adjustment of the aerosol parameters, and to control the aerosol transport arrangement so as to permit adjustment of the aerosol delivery into the plasma or flame of the spectrometer.

A sample-container holding member is detachably attached to an integrator via a fixing member and holds a sample container, which comprises a cell containing a sample and a cap, in a state where the sample container is placed in the integrator. The sample-container holding member comprises a pillar-shaped support portion fixed to the fixing member and a container attaching portion which is provided at an end of the support portion in the axial direction and to which the sample container is attached. The container attaching portion comprises a housing portion housing a cap and a holding portion having contact with at least three points on an outer surface of the cell and holding the sample container.

Described herein is a receptacle for holding a sample under spectrophotometer analysis comprising: a body, first and second opposing windows separated by a gap to provide a volume for a sample, wherein at least the first opposing window is supported by a first compliant member, and wherein under a force, the first compliant member allows positioning of the first opposing window relative to a first datum to set a desired: a) gap between the first and second opposing windows, and/or b) relative orientation of the first and second opposing windows.

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to color and appearance metric measurements and, in particular, developing instrumentation to enable self-consistent image appearance measurements within instruments of unitary construction.

Described herein are methods and apparatus for spectroscopic analysis of samples. In many embodiments, an apparatus for providing spectroscopic analysis of a sample comprises a sample holder. For example, the sample holder may comprise a consumable single use sample holder that can be readily coupled to and removed from a measurement apparatus such as a spectrometer. The sample holder may comprise a measurement surface configured to receive the sample during measurement, wherein the measurement surface may comprise a porous mesh. The porous mesh can receive the sample to optimally configure the sample for spectroscopic measurement, as described in further detail herein.

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to color and appearance metric measurements and, in particular, developing instrumentation to enable self-consistent image appearance measurements within instruments of unitary construction.

A first cover is in a closed state while being held by a second cover due to holding force exerted from a first holding mechanism. The second cover is in a closed state while being held by a housing due to holding force exerted from a second holding mechanism. The second cover is removable from the housing when force is applied against the holding force exerted from the second holding mechanism. The holding force is set such that, when the first cover is brought into an open state from the closed state, the holding of the first cover by the second cover is released with the second cover being held by the housing.

Described herein are methods and apparatus for spectroscopic analysis of samples. In many embodiments, an apparatus for providing spectroscopic analysis of a sample comprises a sample holder. For example, the sample holder may comprise a consumable single use sample holder that can be readily coupled to and removed from a measurement apparatus such as a spectrometer. The sample holder may comprise a measurement surface configured to receive the sample during measurement, wherein the measurement surface may comprise a porous mesh. The porous mesh can receive the sample to optimally configure the sample for spectroscopic measurement, as described in further detail herein.

An optical characteristics measuring method for measuring optical characteristics of a subject, the optical characteristics measuring method including: a step of acquiring one or more captured images including the subject, using an image capturing apparatus that is located at a predetermined distance from the subject, and is configured to be displaceable relative to the subject, while maintaining the predetermined distance; and a step of creating, based on the one or more captured images thus acquired, a virtual image including the subject and acquired from one or more analysis points each located at a position other than a position on a plane that includes the trajectory of the image capturing apparatus.

A paint color analysis station has a main body with a front exterior surface and a rear exterior surface. A paint sampling portion and a drying portion are disposed on the front exterior surface of the main body. The paint sampling portion has a paint sampling surface extending outwardly from the front exterior surface of the main body at an angle that is less than 90 degrees. The drying portion has a main body and an overhang disposed directly above the paint sampling portion. The overhang includes an opening configured to receive a drying device. At least one hanging portion and at least one storage portion are also disposed on the paint color analysis station. The at least one hanging portion and the at least one storage portion are configured to conveniently organize and house various paint analysis tools and accessories when not in operation.