Abstract:
A method of adapting the number of sub-samples analysed by a spectrophotometer comprises acquiring spectral data from an initial plurality of sub-samples (4); processing the acquired spectral data to obtain a value for a sample parameter for each of the sub-samples of the initial plurality (6); determining a variation, particularly a standard deviation, in the obtained values for each of the initial plurality of sub-samples (8) as a Quality Index; and optionally obtaining spectral data from one or more new sub-samples depending on whether or not the Quality Index fulfils a predetermined condition.