Non-invasive continuous in line antifouling of atr-mir spectroscopic sensors

An ATR-MIR (attenuated total reflectance mid-infra-red) crystal antifouling method for cleaning an ATR-MIR crystal so that biofouling on the ATR-MIR crystal is avoided, the ATR-MIR crystal being positioned in an ATR-MIR unit configured to be used for measuring ATR-MIR spectra of a sample, wherein the ATR-MIR crystal comprises:

• a sample surface side in direct contact with the sample, and
• an MIR light surface side onto which MIR light is directed allowing the MIR light to penetrate through the ATR-MIR crystal and interact with the sample through an evanescent wave, where the MIR light, after interacting with the sample, is reflected from the MIR surface side of the ATR-MIR crystal,
• wherein the ATR-MIR crystal antifouling method comprises a step of illuminating the sample surface side of the ATR-MIR crystal with radiation from an ultra violet (UV) radiation source emitting ultra-violet (UV) light, whereby bacteria in samples in contact with the ATR-MIR crystal are killed;
• and
• wherein UV radiation is directed at the ATR-MIR crystal from the MIR light surface side, thereby passing through the ATR-MIR crystal before illuminating the sample surface side of the ATR-MIR crystal.