Optical Sample Characterization

An apparatus for optical testing of a sample of optical material, the apparatus comprising:

• an optical assembly including:
• an optically transparent general-cylinder having an interior partially filled with a bulk material portion from an interior surface of said general-cylinder toward a center axis of said general-cylinder, wherein the center axis is the height axis of said general-cylinder, and said interior having a hollow portion extending from an opposite interior surface of said general-cylinder and including said center axis, said hollow portion sized to receive at least a core area of the sample of optical material, and
• a receptacle including said hollow portion, said receptacle sized to receive at least a portion of the sample of optical material, and said receptacle sealed for receiving a quantity of fluid, such that said fluid surrounds and is in contact with at least said core area, and is in contact with said general-cylinder and at least a portion of said bulk material portion;
• and
• an optical arrangement aligned with said center axis and including:
• an optical source providing an optical light beam normal to a circumferential surface area of said general-cylinder at a first side of said general-cylinder, and
• an optical detector accepting an output signal, said output signal from said optical light beam impinging on said core area and transmitted through or reflected from the sample, said optical detector normal to the circumferential surface area of said general-cylinder.