IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012

G01N 21/00 - Definition fr

Definition statement

This main group covers:

Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical radiation, i.e. from vacuum-ultraviolet to far-infrared radiation, with a wavelength typically of 0.1-100 micrometres (µm), or by visual inspection

Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation, e.g. cuvettes.

Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the materialinvestigated, e.g. spectral properties of the material.

Systems in which the materialinvestigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light, e.g. photo-luminescence, thermo-luminescence or electro-luminescence.

Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being optically investigated, e.g. chemo-luminescence.

Visual inspection, e.g. for investigating the presence of flaws, defects or contamination.

Investigating or analysing materials by using other optical effects than those mentioned above.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

Investigation of spectral properties of light per se, or measurements of the properties of materials where spectral properties of light are sensed and primary emphasis is placed on creating, detecting or analysing the spectrum, is classified in G01J 3/00, as opposed to investigating, i.e. testing or determining, the properties of materialsamples by the use of optical means, where primary emphasis is given to the materials, which is classified in this group.

Testing or determining the properties of structures, e.g. apparatus, machine parts etc, by the use of optical means is classified in the relevant subclass for the structure being tested, as opposed to investigating, i.e. testing or determining, the properties of materialsamples by the use of optical means, which is classified in this group. In this regard, G01M 11/00 is the residual place for classifying testing of optical apparatus, or testing of structures by optical methods not covered elsewhere.

References relevant to classification in this main group

This main group does not cover:

Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress

G01N 3/00

Analysing materials by weighing, e.g. weighing small particles separated from a gas or liquid

G01N 5/00

Analysing materials by measuring the pressure or volume of a gas or vapour

G01N 7/00

Investigatingdensity or specific gravity of materials; analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity

G01N 9/00

Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity, plasticity; analysing materials by determining flow properties

G01N 11/00

Investigating surface or boundary effects, e.g. wetting power; investigating diffusion effects; analysing materials by determining surface, boundary, or diffusion effects

G01N 13/00

Investigating characteristics of particles; investigatingpermeability, pore-volume, or surface-area of porous materials

G01N 15/00

Investigating resistance of materials to the weather, to corrosion, or to light

G01N 17/00

Investigatingmaterials by mechanical methods

G01N 19/00
Examples of places where the subject matter of this group is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated into a larger system:

Investigation of spectral properties of light per se, or measurements of the properties of materials where spectral properties of light are sensed and primary emphasis is placed on creating, detecting or analysing the spectrum, providing that the properties of the materials to be investigated are of minor importance

G01J 3/00

Contactless testing of electronic circuits using optical radiation

G01R 31/308

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Sampling; preparing specimens for investigation

G01N 1/00

Specific materials

G01N 33/00

Automatic analysis; handling materials therefor

G01N 35/00

Chemical or physical apparatus for general laboratory use, e.g. glassware, including sample holders

B01L, B01L 3/00

Use of optical means for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces, or for measuring deformation in a solid

G01B 9/00, G01B 11/00

Photometry, i.e. measuring intensity of light regardless of its wavelength or polarization

G01J 1/00

Measuring polarization of light

G01J 4/00

Optical radiation pyrometry

G01J 5/00

Measuring force or stress by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photo-elastic stress analysis

G01L 1/24

Testing of optical apparatus, elements and systems; testing structures by optical methods not otherwise provided for (see also Relationships between large subject matter areas, above)

G01M 11/00

Systems for direction-finding, navigation, locating, presence-detecting using the reflection or reradiation of light waves, e.g. lidar systems

G01S 17/00

Prospecting or detecting by the use of optical means

G01V 8/00

Optical elements of measuring instruments, e.g. microscopes

G02B, G02B 21/00

Image analysis

G06T 7/00