US Patent 7886821 Apparatus and method for determining fluid properties

A downhole fluid sample container includes a fluid sample container detachably coupled to a downhole sub, the fluid sample container having an internal chamber for receiving the downhole fluid. At least one semimetal (for example, silicon or germanium) window is coupled to the fluid sample container, the window being substantially transparent to electromagnetic energy wavelengths within a selected band. A method includes transmitting electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic energy source to downhole fluid through at least one semimetal window in a container, receiving an electromagnetic energy response with a spectrometer, and estimating the downhole fluid property based at least in part on the electromagnetic energy response.