A spectroscopy system is provided which is optimized for operation in the VUV region and capable of performing well in the DUV-NIR region. The system further provides a controlled environment between the VUV source, sample chamber and VUV detector which acts to limit in a repeatable manner the absorption of VUV photons. The light source is utilized to create a light beam that travels through at least a portion of the environmentally controlled chambers. The light beam may be a collimated light beam at locations where the light beam passes between at least two of the environmentally controlled chambers. A coupling mechanism may be provided that optically couples at least two the environmentally controlled chambers. Collimated light may be provided through the coupling mechanism. Array based detection instrumentation may be exploited to permit the simultaneous collection of larger wavelength regions.