(19)

(11)

EP 0 979 397 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 16.02.2000 Bulletin 2000/07 (21) Application number: 98919332.1 (22) Date of filing: 29.04.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 3/32, G01N 3/20 (86) International application number: PCT/GB9801/241 (87) International publication number: WO 9849/534 (05.11.1998 Gazette 1998/44)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 29.04.1997 GB 9708709 (71) Applicant: EUROPEAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMUNITY (EURATOM) 2920 Luxembourg (LU)	(72) Inventors: ROEBBEN, Gert B-3001 Heverlee (BE) STEEN, Marc NL-1862 BA Bergen (NL) NAGY, Endre NL-1815 HK Alkmaar (NL) HARRISON, Victor NL-1826 DT Alkmaar (NL) (74) Representative: Baldock, Sharon Claire et al BOULT WADE TENNANT,27 Furnival Street London EC4A 1PQ London EC4A 1PQ (GB)