(19)

(11)

EP 1 159 608 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 05.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/49 (21) Application number: 00907819.7 (22) Date of filing: 06.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 33/00 (86) International application number: PCT/GB0000/809 (87) International publication number: WO 0054/045 (14.09.2000 Gazette 2000/37)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 05.03.1999 GB 9905051 (71) Applicant: Marconi Applied Technologies Limited London W1X 8AQ (GB)	(72) Inventor: PIKE, Andrew Chelmsford,Essex CM1 3HQ (GB) (74) Representative: Hucker, Nerys  Marconi Intellectual PropertyMarrable HouseThe VineyardsGt. Baddow ChelmsfordEssex CM2 7QS ChelmsfordEssex CM2 7QS (GB)