Spectroscopy having correction for broadband distortion for analyzing multi-component samples

A spectroscopy system for analyzing at least a first chemical component of a multi-component sample that has at least one characteristic absorption feature comprising a first absorption peak, comprising:

• A spectroscopic sensor comprising:
• a broadband radiation source for irradiating said multi-component sample with radiation in a measurement waveband proximate to said first absorption peak, and at least a first and a second reference waveband located wherein said first chemical component lacks said characteristic absorption feature;
• a multi-channel detector for obtaining detection data comprising detecting radiation reflected or transmitted by said multi-component sample responsive to said irradiating including a measured power proximate to said first absorption peak and a first and second reference power at said first and said second reference wavebands, respectively, and
• a processor having associated memory for evaluating a plurality of different waveband ratios using a plurality of pairs of said detection data for generating a plurality of measured waveband ratio values, and determining at least one parameter of said first chemical component by evaluating a calibration relation stored in said memory comprising a multidimensional polynomial equation that relates said parameter of said first chemical component to said plurality of different waveband ratios by substituting said plurality of measured waveband ratio values for said plurality of different waveband ratios.