Spectroscopic system and method using a ceramic optical reference

An apparatus for generating a reference signal, comprising:

• a ceramic having an incident surface and a back surface;
• a first layer in continual contact with end coated over at least one of either said incident surface or said back surface, wherein said first layer comprises at least one of:
• a first standard wavelength material;
• a first protective coating;
• and
• a first metallized coating;
• wherein at least one of said incident surface and said back surface is optically rough.

A method of generating a reference signal, comprising steps of:

• providing a spectrometer having a source that emits incident photons;
• providing a ceramic material having an incident surface and a metallized back surface;
• directing said incident photons through said incident surface, wherein at least a portion of said incident photons traverse said ceramic material and are diffusely reflected by said metallized back surface and subsequently emitted from said incident surface;
• and
• detecting said emitted photons, wherein a reference signal is generated.