Sample container and system for a handheld spectrometer and method for using therefor

A system for obtaining a spectrum of a sample, comprising:

• a device for holding said sample, said device comprising:
• an elongated hollow container open at a distal end and closed off at a proximal end by an optical window;
• a hollow plunger configured to fit snugly into said hollow container via said open distal end and to slide within said hollow container so as to confine said sample in a first volume bounded by said hollow container, said plunger, and said optical window;
• said plunger comprising a filter attached to said bottom of the plunger to thereby allow a gas or liquid contained within said hollow container with said sample to be substantially transferred to a second volume partially bounded by said hollow plunger as said plunger slides within said hollow container;
• an optical lens for directing first photons into a fiber optic array wherein said first photons are formed by an interaction between said sample and illuminating photons;
• and
• said fiber optic array for directing said first photons to a photon detector to thereby obtain a spectrum of said sample.

A method for obtaining a spectrum of a sample, comprising:

• holding said sample using a device comprising:
• (a) an elongated hollow container open at a distal end and closed off at a proximal end by an optical window;
• (b) a hollow plunger configured to fit snugly into said hollow container via said open distal end and to slide within said hollow container so as to confine said sample in a first volume bounded by said hollow container, said plunger, and said optical window;
• (c) said plunger comprising a filter attached to said bottom of the plunger to thereby allow a gas or liquid contained within said hollow container with said sample to be substantially transferred to a second volume partially bounded by said hollow plunger as said plunger slides within said hollow container;
• and
• collecting a plurality of first photons so as to obtain a measured spectrum of said sample wherein said first photons are formed by an interaction between said sample and illuminating photons.