A Raman probe assembly for analyzing a specimen, comprising: a light
source for generating laser excitation light; a camera for capturing an
image; a light analyzer for analyzing a Raman signature; and a light path
for (i) delivering the laser excitation light from the light source to
the specimen so as to produce the Raman signature for the specimen, (ii)
capturing an image of the specimen and directing that image to the
camera, and (iii) directing the Raman signature of the specimen to the
light analyzer. A Raman probe assembly for analyzing a specimen,
comprising: a light source for generating laser excitation light; a
camera for capturing an image; a light analyzer for analyzing a Raman
signature; a first light path for delivering the laser excitation light
from the light source to the specimen so as to produce the Raman
signature for the specimen; a second light path for capturing an image of
the specimen and directing that image to the camera; a third light path
for directing the Raman signature of the specimen to the light analyzer;
wherein the a least a portion of the first light path, the second light
path and the third light path are coaxial with one another. A Raman probe
assembly for analyzing a specimen, comprising: a light source for
generating laser excitation light; a light analyzer for analyzing a Raman
signature; a light path for (i) delivering the laser excitation light
from the light source to the specimen so as to produce the Raman
signature for the specimen, and (ii) directing the Raman signature of the
specimen to the light analyzer; wherein the assembly further comprises a
probe body for housing the at least a portion of the light path, and a
window, with the light path extending through the window; and further
wherein the probe body further comprises a shutter/wiper disposed
adjacent to the window. A Raman probe assembly for analyzing a specimen,
comprising: a light source for generating laser excitation light; a light
analyzer for analyzing a Raman signature; a light path for (i) delivering
the laser excitation light from the light source to the specimen so as to
produce the Raman signature for the specimen, and (ii) directing the
Raman signature of the specimen to the light analyzer; and wherein the
light analyzer comprises a transmitter for transmitting information using
an Internet Web protocol. A method for identifying the nature of a
specimen, the method comprising: providing a Raman probe assembly
comprising: a light source for generating laser excitation light; a
camera for capturing an image; a light analyzer for analyzing a Raman
signature; a light path for (i) delivering the laser excitation light
from the light source to the specimen so as to produce the Raman
signature for the specimen, (ii) capturing an image of the specimen and
directing that image to the camera, and (iii) directing the Raman
signature of the specimen to the light analyzer wherein the assembly
further comprises a probe body for housing the at least a portion of the
light path, and a window, with the light path extending through the
window; wherein the probe body further comprises a shutter/wiper disposed
adjacent to the window; wherein the assembly is carried by a remote
controlled robot; providing a base station for receiving the image, and
for remotely controlling the robot, and for receiving information from
the light analyzer; navigating the remote control robot from the base
station to a position adjacent to the specimen; opening the
shutter/wiper; using the camera to aim the probe body at the specimen;
energizing the light source so that the laser excitation light is
directed at the specimen; and analyzing the return light passed to the
light analyzer so as to determine of the nature of the specimen.