Multi-mode sampling probes

A spectrometric probe comprising:

• a. a probe outer surface, the probe outer surface including a cavity defined therein;
• b. two or more emission locations on the probe outer surface from which light is emitted, wherein at least one of the emission locations is in the cavity, wherein each of the emission locations emits light having a different mean wavelength;
• c. collection locations on the probe outer surface, each collection location collecting light from one of the emission locations, wherein:
• (1) at least one of the collection locations collects light emitted from the cavity, and
• (2) the collection locations include at least two of:
• (a) a transmittance collection location situated in the cavity and receiving transmitted light from one of the emission locations, this emission location being situated on an opposite side of the cavity;
• (b) a transflectance collection location situated in the cavity and receiving transflected light from one of the emission locations after such light is reflected from a side of the cavity opposite the collection location;
• (c) a reflectance collection location situated on the probe outer surface and receiving reflected light from one of the emission locations, wherein the reflected light is not emitted or reflected from any side of the cavity opposite the emission location from which the reflected light was emitted.

A spectrometric probe having a probe outer surface including a cavity defined therein, and comprising:

• a. two or more light input paths extending through the probe, wherein:
• (1) each light input path extends to an emission location on the probe outer surface, with each emission location emitting light from its light input path, wherein each of the emission locations emits light having a different mean wavelength, and
• (2) at least one of the emission locations emits light into the cavity from its light input path;
• b. a first light output path extending through the probe from a first collection location on the probe outer surface, wherein the first collection location:
• (1) is not located opposite either:
• (a) an emission location, or
• (b) a reflective area defined on the probe outer surface, to receive light therefrom, and
• (2) collects light first emitted by one of the emission locations and then diffusely reflected from any sample medium located adjacent the first collection location;
• and
• c. a second light output path extending through the probe from a second collection location on the cavity, wherein the second collection location collects light emitted into the cavity from one of the emission locations.

A spectrometric method comprising:

• a. inserting a probe within a fluid sample medium, the probe having a probe outer surface including a cavity, wherein the fluid sample medium flows into the cavity when the probe is inserted into the fluid sample medium;
• b. emitting light from the probe at one or more emission locations, wherein at least a portion of the emitted light is emitted into the cavity;
• c. simultaneously collecting light from at least two collection locations on the probe outer surface, the collected light including at least two of the following types:
• (1) light transmitted through the fluid sample medium, the transmitted light being emitted from an emission location at one side of the cavity and collected from a collection location at an opposing side of the cavity;
• (2) light transfiected through the fluid sample medium, the transfiected light being emitted from an emission location at one side of the cavity and reflected from an opposite side of the cavity;
• and
• (3) reflected light from the fluid sample medium, the reflected light not being emitted or reflected from any side of the cavity opposite any location from which the reflected light was originally emitted.