The approximation of a spectral continuum by determining a plurality of minima
in the spectral data; splitting the spectral data into a predetermined number of
groups N; for each group of spectral data, determining major minima for the group,
and calculating an average and a standard deviation for the determined major minima;
determining a polynomial function that can be drawn through the major minima of
all groups; for each group of spectral data, determining minor minima; calculating
an average deviation (N) between this polynomial function and
the determined minor minima; reducing the number of groups, and repeating this
process for the reduced number of groups until a minimum number of groups is reached.
Then, the least N corresponding to an optimal number of groups
Nopt is determined. The spectral data is split into Nopt groups;
and a polynomial function that can be drawn through both the major minima and minor
minima is determined for Nopt groups. This polynomial function approximates
the spectral continuum.
